Why meat birds?

[Newyorkrita]

I am over 5000', so my first meat birds after I get situated will probably be one of the colored "Ranger" style that are out there. Not for a while yet.

Are those types hardier?

 

[Mosey2003]

Are those types hardier?

The Cornish X broilers are somewhat delicate, things like excessive heat will kill them off. I imagine elevation would be hard on them too, since it relates to cardiovascular health, and that's the biggie with them. Their little hearts give out.

 

[Parront]

Are those types hardier?

Some Cornish-X listings say, not recommended over 5000'. Too fast growing, & the heart and lungs give out.

 

[Newyorkrita]

Okay I see. Personally raising Cornish X would not be for me.

 

[Parront]

Okay I see. Personally raising Cornish X would not be for me.

I've raised them, and I understand those who do. They are the fastest way to put chicken in the freezer, for the least amount of feed and housing space.

 

[Newyorkrita]

I've raised them, and I understand those who do. They are the fastest way to put chicken in the freezer, for the least amount of feed and housing space.

I can see your point. And the finished product sure is amazing. But I just can't imaging myself raising them.

No room here but if I did meat birds I would go for the slower growing types like the Rangers or now I have been educated about those fabulous Moyer Meat Broilers. Those I would love to do.

 

[Parront]

I can see your point. And the finished product sure is amazing. But I just can't imaging myself raising them.

No room here but if I did meat birds I would go for the slower growing types like the Rangers or now I have been educated about those fabulous Moyer Meat Broilers. Those I would love to do.

At least the birds you raise are living a good life and eating food you would consume yourself, because we are what we eat! Even a Cornish-X who only lives 7 weeks at my house has a far better life than the factory birds will ever have. For a hobbyist like us, a slower growing more traditional bird like the Moyer's would be better. As far as space, I like the idea of moving the meat birds (caged) over my lawn every day, it is space I already have.

 

[oldrooster]

I can see your point. And the finished product sure is amazing. But I just can't imaging myself raising them.

No room here but if I did meat birds I would go for the slower growing types like the Rangers or now I have been educated about those fabulous Moyer Meat Broilers. Those I would love to do.

I have read posts here on BYC where for ethical reasons some do not buy the cornish cross and raise them themselves because of the health reasons of the bird and they raise either a ranger of some sort or a "regular breed" roosters I thought it rather odd some people who buy from breeders because hatcheries put to death males what they cannot sell but they want hens only and want a "meat bird" of some sort. Makes me wonder what they think happens to breeder's males? lol

 

[Mosey2003]

I have read posts here on BYC where for ethical reasons some do not buy the cornish cross and raise them themselves because of the health reasons of the bird and they raise either a ranger of some sort or a "regular breed" roosters I thought it rather odd some people who buy from breeders because hatcheries put to death males what they cannot sell but they want hens only and want a "meat bird" of some sort. Makes me wonder what they think happens to breeder's males? lol

We eat them. Well, I do at least. If I ever get to hatching enough at one time, I'll most likely eat my cull pullets as well, depending on time of year and demand.

 

[LilyD]

I have read posts here on BYC where for ethical reasons some do not buy the cornish cross and raise them themselves because of the health reasons of the bird and they raise either a ranger of some sort or a "regular breed" roosters I thought it rather odd some people who buy from breeders because hatcheries put to death males what they cannot sell but they want hens only and want a "meat bird" of some sort. Makes me wonder what they think happens to breeder's males? lol

I tend to order straight run if I need to order layers and I keep the roosters until about 20-30 weeks and then process them. At least they get to live in the sun and enjoy life a bit rather than being killed as a chick because no one wanted. My goal is to actually hatch out my own layer replacements and eat the roosters and pullets that are not what I am looking for for my breeding program. That way everything has a use and I don't have to buy more meat birds. The only reason I want to do it this way is so that I can make sure that it is a self sustainable breeding program and provides meat and eggs both.