Raising Meat Birds: A Guide to Getting Started
by Michelle
Published February 4, 2025
Raising your own meat birds can be a rewarding experience. You are in control of their rearing environment, diet, and overall quality of life. To set yourself up for success, there are a few questions to ask yourself.
1. Which Type of Meat Bird Should I Raise?
Cornish Cross
Cornish Cross, or Jumbo White Cornish Cross, are the most popular since they are ready in 6-9 weeks. Average live weight of 6-8 lbs.
- The most popular meat bird option.
- Processing age: 6-9 weeks.
- Average live weight: 6-8 pounds.
Red Broilers
Red Broilers are ready for processing at 11-13 weeks of age. They are a slower-growing crossbred broiler that are not as susceptible to health issues as the cornish cross, and feed does not need to be restricted. They are also well suited to pasture-raised or free-range operations.
- Slower-growing crossbred broilers.
- Processing age: 11-13 weeks.
- Lower susceptibility to health issues, no feed restrictions required, excellent for pasture-raised or free-range operations.
Rangers
Rangers are ready for processing at 9-11 weeks of age. They are also well suited to pasture raised or free range operations. There are several varieties of rangers.
- Processing age: 9-11 weeks.
- Ideal for pasture-raised or free-range operations.
Sasso Broilers
Sassos are ready for processing at 10-12 weeks of age. They are also well suited to pasture-raised or free-range operations.
- Processing age: 10-12 weeks.
- Well-suited for pasture-raised or free-range systems.
White Rangers
White Rangers are ready for processing at 7-8 weeks of age, with an average live weight of 6 lbs or they can be raised longer to get a larger bird. They are also well suited to pasture raised or free range operations.
- Processing age: 7-8 weeks (average live weight: 6 pounds) or longer for a larger bird.
- Great for pasture-raised or free-range systems.
Fry Pan
Fry Pan are a group of heavy-bodied roosters to raise for meat. Processing age can vary between 16-20 weeks, but do not let that deter you. Good things come to those who wait.
- Heavy-bodied roosters raised for meat.
- Processing age: can vary between 16-20 weeks.
- While they take longer, good things come to those who wait
2. How Many Birds Should I Raise?
The number of birds depends on your household diet. If chicken is preferred, consider at least one per week for the year.
3. How Many Birds Can I Accommodate at One Time?
If this is your first time, start small or shadow a friend or neighbor before you take the plunge. You can do several batches during the year to spread out the workload.
4. How Will You Handle Processing?
Decide early whether you will process the birds yourself or take them to the processor. If you are using a processor, be sure to have the date scheduled ahead of time. Some are scheduled a year or more in advance.
Tips for Raising Meat Birds Efficiently
- Housing and Space: Depending on the space you have, consider free-ranging birds in electric fencing or chicken tractors to reduce supplemental feed costs.
- Feed Conversion Rate (FCR): The feed conversion rate for meat chickens is very efficient. Having a low FCR results in reduced production/feed costs and increased profitability.
Raising your own meat birds is one way to continue the path to self-sufficiency! Be sure to check out another blog on Cost Effectively Raise Meat Birds for more tips!
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