What is the approx. weight for Fr Rangers & how do they show at fairs?

[TajMahalChickens]

I am ordering freedom rangers from JM hatchery this spring to be shown at a show on July 20th. The two classes are broiler, 2 1/2 - 5 lbs., and roaster, 5 1/2 - 10 lbs. The earliest I am able to get the birds is April 6th.

My question is: with the time frame that I have, which class should I go for and when should I get them?

If I get them on April 6th, they will be 15 weeks olds by the show, so I am estimating they will be eight pounds? Is that correct? If they would be much less than that, I would get them later and shoot for the broiler class, since a six or seven lbs. bird won't do well in the roaster class.

But Do these birds even do well as broilers? I understand that they are better if you let them grow.

What are your experiences with Freedom rangers? How do they show at fairs in comparison to the stand Cornish crosses?

Thanks!!

 

[TajMahalChickens]

Anyone?

 

[bantyhen'sfriend]

I do not know about the weights, but I do not think that they could compete against the Cornish X. The only purpose o the Cornish X is to provide a lot of meat quickly, to allow maximum profit and to provide tender meat, without as many pinfeathers. The meat birds at my fair are judged on how symmetrical the pen is (birds weigh the same, are in the same condition, and have the same body shape), and the condition and quality of the birds. The judge at my fair likes the 20-24lb pens, or 2 birds between 10 and 12 lbs each. He is also looking for the pen with the ideal meat qualities of shape, cleanliness, size, condition, age, weight, and health. I have no experience with the rangers, so hopefully I can be proved wrong, but if they are anything like a dual purpose breed they will have less breast meat (which is one of the major parts of the bird judged) and will not be as fat/fleshy as the Cornish X. The birds are usually shown as if they were about to be slaughtered the next day, and so must be in the ideal condition for eating.

 

[terri9630]

At our fair the only meat birds allowed is the cornish cross.

 

[Mrs. Mucket]

I don't know about fair classes (you might ask the superintendent if they'll allow other breeds than Cornish X) but I do know some about Freedom Rangers. Here is my experience: Last year (our first) we processed 17 FRanger cockerels at 10 and 13 weeks and the dressed weights ranged from 3.5# to 6.5#. Most of the earlier ones (10 weeks) were in the 4-5# range. The Rangers continue to grow after that, though more slowly. We kept some for breeding and now at 9 months the cockerel is a hefty 15# and the five pullets are 11-12# each.

For more FR age/weight comparisons and other people's experiences, see this great FR thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=318364&p=1

If Freedom Rangers and other red/colored broilers are allowed in competition with Cornish X, the judges would have to know the other breed standards, as they are built differently than CX and grow a bit slower.

 

[Liamm_1]

Mrs. Mucket-
have you hatched any FR chicks yet? I'd be curious to know how they turn out. And, are the 9 month olds still healthy and ranging?

 

[Mrs. Mucket]

Liamm_1--We have not hatched any yet, just because we don't have warm facilities for chicks quite yet. We expect to put some in the incubator in a month or so. But TimG at the FR thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=318364&p=1 just hatched some! You can see pics of his chicks there.

My Rangers foraged well while growing but we've had them in a coop with small 8x20' run for the winter. The run got bare pretty quickly so there's no ranging. They do go in and out every day (except a few blizzardy days) and forage through whatever we put out in the run for them (hay, BOSS, kitchen goodies, etc.). They seem healthy and vigorous. The pullets are laying and the cockerel is doing his job. In April we'll open up more ranging area again.

 

[TajMahalChickens]

Thanks for the info.

I am going to check with my superintendent. If I can't show them in the meat classes, could I show them in the breed classes?

 

[terri9630]

Quote:
That is something that you will have to ask when you call. All fairs are different.

 

[irf1983]

at 12 weeks mine were between 8-10 lbs, most at 9-9 1/2. They were nice to raise, but not the free range scratchers i had imagined. they mostly ate and pooped. definitely not as active as a dp or layer.