tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post4243353196437964159..comments2023-07-13T09:47:34.546+01:00Comments on Bellecross Hens: Poultry catch upSandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-26851257738455634022011-05-01T02:16:19.073+01:002011-05-01T02:16:19.073+01:00Thanks, Sandra. I am going to try the Freedom Rang...Thanks, Sandra. I am going to try the Freedom Rangers. I talked with a gal who raises poultry with her husband following the Joel Salatin rotational grazing way. They are still using the Cornish X but are investigating other breeds and have started to look at the Freedom Rangers. There is a hatchery out of Pennsylvania that I will order from. We'll see how it goes. <br />Thanks...MarianneMariannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01993015456186049234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-70739985859555062622011-04-19T17:01:35.043+01:002011-04-19T17:01:35.043+01:00To be honest I don't know. I've been floun...To be honest I don't know. I've been floundering in the dark. I wasn't happy with the idea or reports of commerical breeds such as the cobb but haven't quite found a more traditional breed I am completely happy with. Traditonal breeds tend to take at least 24 weeks to reach a decent weight and their composition is completely different.They will never reach a great weight, but I have found although they have much less breast meat overall you get a lot more meat from a carcass and the taste is great.<br /><br />So far the most popular in this house has been Indian Game cross Ixworth and Indian Game cross Australorp.<br /><br />I am still trying different crosses.<br /><br />As far as commerical breeds go I've heard that the 'red' birds eg. Freedom rangers are a little slower than Cobbs in growing and therefore present less problems, but it is not an area of poultry I am experienced in....sorry not a lot of help.Sandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-55036493262950016102011-04-19T16:03:44.012+01:002011-04-19T16:03:44.012+01:00Hi Sandra, poultry extraordinaire...
We have start...Hi Sandra, poultry extraordinaire...<br />We have started our first broilers or table birds, as I think is a much nicer name. They are Cornish Rock X from the local feed store. These are the common commercial bird in the US and though I am certain they accomplish their purpose, I am saddened by how heavy they are and how their legs can barely hold them up. We've also had 2 of 15 die and another is very small and not looking well. Can you suggest a breed that would provide us with meat for the table, but in a more natural, healthy way for the birds? I am not in the rush to have them done in 8 weeks as they do with the commercial birds. We can order different breeds from the hatchery over the internet.<br />Thanks in advance...<br />MarianneMariannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01993015456186049234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-23638098247407782332011-04-18T16:42:09.000+01:002011-04-18T16:42:09.000+01:00Thank you. There are no problems really, just huma...Thank you. There are no problems really, just humans trying to impose their will on nature and realising it's not to be.<br /><br />All the chicks are thriving and I now, also have 5 beautiful,healthy lambs to occupy my time.<br /><br />I read about your hen, she does appear very happy and I'm sure the other two are equally happy in their new home.Sandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-36311157699573759152011-04-18T16:29:53.619+01:002011-04-18T16:29:53.619+01:00It was lovely to see your beautiful Welsummer chic...It was lovely to see your beautiful Welsummer chicks recently. I'm sorry your fortunes are mixed at the moment. With your skill, patience and experience the good things will outweigh the rest but it's irritating meanwhile. We're down to one hen now. I blame the weather.Kennoreply@blogger.com