Bigger Chickens
- Thread starter jerrybob
- Start date
Creamer
Elite Member
When we raise meat chickens we usually take the hens out at about 6 lbs because they quit growing but we let the cockerals keep going and we have a lot of 10-11 lb roasters. They are definitely not fryers though!
nybirdman
Super Member
Today's meat birds grow so fast their legs can't support them.
Sonny580
Platinum Member
I had the leg problem 3 years ago when I did try so called meat birds!---at 7 weeks they were around 15 pounds! (shouda butchered at 5 weeks maybe!) anyhoo,----they were loaded with fat inside like you would not believe, and we never did find a way to fix them!---fry was out,--bake or boil was out.---We ended up tossing the meat out,---so tuffff that you couldn't eat it! thanks; sonny580
Creamer
Elite Member
It takes the proper rations to keep their legs under them. I really struggled to find a feed company to mix the proper ration. I was trying to grow them without antibiotics so I had to have the feed mixed myself. I went through three feed mills before I found one that knew what I was talking about.
We found the hens just lay in the fat after 6 lbs (dressed) but the cockerals will keep growing. The hearts give out on the cockerals though if you let them get too big plus the meat can get tough. 10 weeks is about all you have to get them grown (hens 6 weeks).
Sonny580
Platinum Member
All of ours were roosters and they were all too tuff to eat! thanks sonny580
check
Elite Member
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- Sep 26, 2008
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- 2009 Kubota BX25
So what about organic chickens?
Creamer
Elite Member
Ours were organic. That was the reason I had to have special feed ground.
NorTracNY
Platinum Member
I read enough horror stories of the Cornish cross that I went with Freedom Rangers. I typically lose 1 out of 25-30 because of leg issues. The rest I process at 9-10 weeks. Not as fast, but I can pasture them. The family LOVES the meat.