Baby Chicken Source

john in la · Jan 24, 2009

Have been looking around for a meat chicken to raise on free range. This will be for home/personal use only.

I do not want a cornish cross because I think they grow to fast and have other problems. They also do not free range well.

I have been trying to cross my own breeds or raise dual purpose birds but that does not seem to be working out.

Looking for a bird that grows out in about 9 to 12 weeks and will free range well. Simular to the Lable Rouge cross in France.

Any Ideas ???????????
What chicken or cross do you raise for meat ????

Anonymous-0 · Jan 24, 2009

I raise Cornish-X Free Range all the time! I feed them in a brooder house with outside (penned) access for a month or so, then open the door. I have SEVERAL that are 1 1/2 years old (and laying/sitting). Not hard to raise, either, ESPECIALLY if you free range them. I grow mine a little longer then most, and they usually dress out at over 12 pounds.

I also have Welsommers, Buff-O's, Americaunas, and Mutts. I'd like to get Black Jersey Giants, too.

There are several hatcheries online that sell year round. You can also get chicks (in season) from your local TSC, Orschlens, and the like.

Just remember, they ALL taste like chicken....

Anonymous-0 · Jan 24, 2009

McMurray Hatchery, Webster City Ia. 515-832-3280 They used to ship by mail..

buickanddeere · Jan 24, 2009

Baby Chicks come from eggs.

I had heard horror stories about bad legs, heart attacks etc with the Cornish Giants. Even suffered some of those problems after raising them strictly according to directions with limited light etc.
Since then the Cornish giants get the same treatment as the Barred Rock and Rhoude Island Red layers. Lots of light, all the water and high protein feed they can eat plus a pan of oyster shell. In a large pen that forces them to walk some distance for feed or water.
After a few days it's the outside run as weather permits. Then free range eating grass, bugs etc by 10-14 days.
The forced exercise and extra minerals in their system from the oyster shell are key. They take an extra couple of weeks to hit 10lbs but who cares.
When they hit 10lbs they are lean compared to penned birds. Only had one out of 25 with leg problems. It survived, hopped around and tasted like the rest of birds.

charles lendman · Jan 24, 2009

Don't know about the baby chicks ...BUT ..if you want free range birds get some Black Java eggs!! The breed almost went extinct ,,,got some for my father in law from a farm in St Charles Ill,,,took him a dozen ,,his neighbor hatched them...the settlere used to let them out in the morning,,,VERY territorial...the roosters would ATTACK coyotes ect...I have a picture somewhere ..these roosters get 3 feet tall or more!! they have spurs bigger than any I've seen...He took thm to the county fair in Girrard Kansas and the judges had to go to the library to look up the breed ad they had NEVER seen it!! Best of show and Blue Ribbon Champion to boot!! Sure made a 90 year old farmer happy!! Charles

LEH · Jan 24, 2009

There's a hatchery in Larue Ohio that I have had good luck with. Don't have their no. but I'm sure it's on the net.

Coloken · Jan 24, 2009

(quoted from post at 11:43:59 01/24/09) I find eating Rattle Snake taste like chicken too

How do the eggs taste? Or is it bull snakes that have eggs?
I woun't sigh this one :roll:

glennster · Jan 24, 2009

when we were little grandad raised game chickens. they freerange very well and require little maintenance. they are an aggressive bird, and a few of the breed were used for fighting. the rooster is very territorial, you only need one with the hens. if there is a second rooster, they will fight. here is a link to the gamecock
game chickens

Baby Chicken Source

john in la

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

buickanddeere

Well-known Member

charles lendman

Member

LEH

Member

Coloken

Well-known Member

glennster

Well-known Member

Similar threads