Raising birds for meat

[janeyo]

I have the old coop ready for some meat birds, but no idea where to source them from?
my local chicken food supplier doesn't know of anyone selling any

[Suechooks]

I have the old coop ready for some meat birds, but no idea where to source them from?
my local chicken food supplier doesn't know of anyone selling any

You can get eggs online or did you want day olds?

[Munch]

Does this help....

Smart Chicks - quality Sasso Chicks

We get hatching eggs off ebay.....hubby just ordered 8 hubbard x ross cobbs.

Does anyone know the average difference in weight from live to dressed?

[janeyo]

I don't want eggs as not got an incubator and don;t want to starg down that route really.
I have found a supplier (up the road) who normally will supply 1 day olds but I only want 6 as coop won't hold any more. They said they can do me 6, but would have to be 4 week olds instead and at £4 each.

No idea if this is a good deal or not?

[Suechooks]

I'm utilising the broodiness of my Silkies and Orps saving on electricity!
They usually make pretty big birds by 8-10 weeks if they're meat hybrids. You need to cost it out. They may still need some heat at 4 weeks.

[RichmondHens]

If they are fully feathered (and meat hybrids feather quickly) then they won't need heat now in July, six will snuggle up together just fine. 4 weeks old for a meat hybrid and they will probably be well on the way to the table. As Sue says, intensively reared they can be up to weight by 8 - 10 weeks; reared more naturally and allowing them to sleep during the dark hours they will grow a little more slowly, but that's all to the good. £4 sounds to me a good price. I've seen day old chicks advertised round here for £3.50.

If you are after a traditional breed meat bird (much better flavour IMO) which grow slowly and take 6 months to mature to a reasonable table weight (5 - 6 lbs) then you need to look at some of the heavier crosses (Indian Game crosses, Light Sussex crosses etc) but obviously they cost more to rear, being slower growing.

[janeyo]

Thanks.
I was planning on putting them on a a raised bed (now harvested) as we could attach sides to it to stop them getting out. This would give them about 6 feet square, plus the bit under the coop to roam in. (couple of slabs down for wet weather)
Is this really enough for the meat birds? My layers roam on a way bigger area (25 square feet)
Also how high can they jump and from what age? Wondering if I need to put a roof on it (it would be 4 feet high) I don't think they'd have enough of a run up to actually take off over it, but jumping might be possible?!

[its hilly]

So 5-6 months for pure breed crosses? Hmm.
My Silver sussex/maran boy is much bigger than the pure SS, think he will be a nice meat type. If the offer of a new patch of land does work out I think I will try to at least keep and eat my surplus boys. I would be happier doing that than passing them on to someone else to fatten as I do at the mo. I know they are well looked after, and killed properly. But I still have the slightly guilty feeling that as I produce them it should be me who actually finishes it too.

[janeyo]

hmmm now I am loking at eggs - so much cheaper than the chicks. Not got any broodies so would have to be an incubator. Anyone made one of these?

[RichmondHens]

Thanks.
I was planning on putting them on a a raised bed (now harvested) as we could attach sides to it to stop them getting out. This would give them about 6 feet square, plus the bit under the coop to roam in. (couple of slabs down for wet weather)
Is this really enough for the meat birds? My layers roam on a way bigger area (25 square feet)
Also how high can they jump and from what age? Wondering if I need to put a roof on it (it would be 4 feet high) I don't think they'd have enough of a run up to actually take off over it, but jumping might be possible?!

4 feet may keep them in, it depends on if they get heavy quickly or not. But in any case you can clip their wings. 6 sq feet is very small, if you are wanting 6 birds then at maturity that is 1 sq foot each, way not enough. I give mine the same size pens as the layers, some years they have been allowed to completely free range (but not this year as it happens). I find growing cocks don't run around very much unless they are stimulated by hens, so if kept separate they will just mooch about and sit under bushes and snooze. They are like a load of old men after a large lunch!!

[Glutton4...]

hmmm now I am loking at eggs - so much cheaper than the chicks. Not got any broodies so would have to be an incubator. Anyone made one of these?

Try this guy; eBay My World - sean195847

[Scarlet]

So 5-6 months for pure breed crosses? Hmm.
My Silver sussex/maran boy is much bigger than the pure SS, think he will be a nice meat type.

I usually hatch a maran/ sussex cross and they are generally big birds. Just culled a few at 22 weeks (usually leave them a little longer - but trying to spread the load!) All were well over 5lb.