Meat Chicken Questions

[John Gusmano]

I’m thinking about picking up some chicks in the spring. However, I want to get a few broilers and the rest have as strictly laying hens (to keep)…

I’m more than likely going to order from Murray McMurray Hatchery and they require a minimum of 25 before April 1st and 15 after April 1st… So, my thinking is, to get the mixture of laying hens I want and then fill the rest of the order with meat birds…

With that being said I have a few questions. What is the best meat bird to get that can be slaughtered the earliest? I’ve heard some are ready at 8 weeks? Also, how difficult is it to butcher them? Do I need something special to pluck the feathers?

Any and all information regarding this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks fellas!!!!

[farmertrappe]

Hey John, I get my birds from Myers hatchery in Ohio. They are the "freedom Rangers"a french breed that does well on pasture. I process 3.25 to 3.75 pounds birds at 6 to 7 weeks. This week I'll be processing birds that are eight weeks and will be 4 to 5.5 pounds. The white broilers grow quickest, those are the same breed as the commercial birds. My first year I hand picked 60 birds total after scalding them first. Scalding is the important part, about 137 degrees works well for me, too cool and they won't pick worth a darn. Too hot and the breasts will start to cook. With some help you could bang out 15-20 birds in a 1/2 day. Lots of videos on youtube, have at it, well worth the effort. let me know if I can be of further help.

[John Gusmano]

Jul 20, 2015 16:33:44 GMT -5 farmertrappe said:

Hey John, I get my birds from Myers hatchery in Ohio. They are the "freedom Rangers"a french breed that does well on pasture. I process 3.25 to 3.75 pounds birds at 6 to 7 weeks. This week I'll be processing birds that are eight weeks and will be 4 to 5.5 pounds. The white broilers grow quickest, those are the same breed as the commercial birds. My first year I hand picked 60 birds total after scalding them first. Scalding is the important part, about 137 degrees works well for me, too cool and they won't pick worth a darn. Too hot and the breasts will start to cook. With some help you could bang out 15-20 birds in a 1/2 day. Lots of videos on youtube, have at it, well worth the effort. let me know if I can be of further help.

Will do! I wrote this thread hoping that you would comment! The Swamp's resident farmer!