THE BEST MEAT CHICKEN!?!?

[@OFFGRIDwithDOUGSTACY]

Derived from traditional heritage breeds, Freedom Rangers were developed in the early 60's to meet the highest standards of Frances Label Rouge Free - Range program ..... so we did forget to mention DERIVED and yes they are like the cornish cross and jokingly said the cornish cross was GMO lol ...fact is the ranger grows slower and is a better cross. Thanks for watching and see you on the next one

[@nate_thealbatross]

Just had a rouge free range chicken in France. Delicious.

[@Combat_Pyro]

Sorry guys, The freedom ranger and Red ranger are both hybrid non-heritage breed chickens, definitely NOT heritage breed. The best actual heritage breed chicken is the American Bresse

[@darylhudson777]

@@Combat_Pyro I am so glad I found your post and when I am able I will be getting some American Bresse because of you. Thanks, my brother and God bless you.

[@juliamatlack9285]

Love watching y’all. Seeing such “like minded” folks with similar interests, views n opinions 🎉 really helps my soul (mind, will, n emotions). Jesus Christ blessings are always with y’all and your sphere of influence in JESUS name, Amen 🎉❤🎉😊

[@alvincasto3760]

Here in Sarasota Florida, we dodged a bullet. Lots of downed limbs & a few trees .. But no home damage. Our 55+ Park is in the heart of the city. We love your show. I'm 78 & still kick'en..

[@OFFGRIDwithDOUGSTACY]

good to hear =)

[@cyndidame1721]

Trying the Freedom Ranger for the first time this year...just got 35 chicks this morning from Freedom Ranger Hatchery. All are alive and healthy. I usually do Cornish X but decided to try these this year thanks to you two.

[@kevind3185]

Both the Freedom Ranger and Cornish Cross are 4 breeds crossed. I do prefer the Freedom Ranger over the Cornish Cross. But that being said the feed conversion ratio is better with the Cornish Cross.

[@franciscojavierrayos]

I been using freedom ranger hatchery for almost 3 years. They are always good to us. Even the prices aren’t bay at all. Don’t forget about the kusher king and the red jack.

[@cyndidame1721]

@@franciscojavierrayos Agree..I think I'm going to try some Kosher King this fall.

[@vwseramas]

Had Rangers and crossed them with Cornish crosses hens and the chicks were very fast growers and aggressive forgers and even would go out on snowy days to look for food. At six or seven weeks they dressed out at 5 to 6 lbs and were very tasty. The French Rangers rosters are very aggressive breeders and some of the hen (the rosters favorite) we made saddles to protect their backs and thighs from being clawed open. We sprouted sunflower/barley all year long for them and they went nuts over them. Only if I were fifty years younger again! Love you guys, God Bless all your Days!

[@firetoy911]

how did u get cornish cross hens bred and not so large that they died of heart attacks?

[@adambrown8109]

definitely agree. we have raised cornish and freedom rangers and have found that they are much healthier than cornish Cross.. we got ours from Freedom Ranger hatchery in PA also. They all came healthy and had 0 losses through 9weeks! they finish off just a little slower but still very fast growers and much healthier!

[@1000sofroots]

Fun to see you guys back on your beautiful porch. Thanks for sharing why you like the Freedom Rangers. We've never done meat birds, but when we do, maybe we'll try the Rangers. Looking forward to seeing how they turn out for you. Also looking forward to the sweet potato greens meal. Blessings to you both! - Carrie

[@cubaniton74]

All modern chicken breeds started off as hybrids (the parent stock were wild chickens), until selective treats through selective breeding, made them unique, then they were classified as Heritage Breeds after years of breeding true to the specific treats.

[@blanchpaulin8678]

Doug and Stacy, you are a blast!I'm doing a garden seven miles from my house. Can't get there every day. But when I can, I want healthy chickens. Those look beautiful.

[@combinelover8988]

Freedom Ranger, Red Bro and the like, are officially classified as "intermediate broilers." Not true standard or "heritage," and are still hybrids, but they DO have the flavor of any standard production breed. They are called "intermediate," because they are slower-growing than a commercial broiler [aka "Cornish-Rock], but are NOT as slow-growing as the standard [aka "heritage"] chicken. I harvest my broilers at 12 weeks. Nice carcass weight. Standard breeds take 24 weeks. Comm. bro's take only 6 weeks.

[@deborahbarnes8475]

Sounds like a great breed for meat chickens. They look really healthy.

[@MainelyAcresFarmBrooks]

About time yall made that switch!! LOL I made it last year and I am never turning back; they may be a little bit small, but they taste so much better. Plus I don't have any of the issue that come along with the crosses. I think yall will be super happy raising the rangers.

[@cubaniton74]

Sweet potato vines are also excellent for nursing rabbit does, it helps them produce more milk for the kits.

[@JennaLeeEquals3]

It’s so great to be able to go back thru these vids y’all did! What a blessing!! Keep doin what y’all do. 🥰

[@LilacDaisy2]

2:00, "They *are* a heritage breed." -- "That's very important." "A lot of people don't know what a heritage breed means." Unfortunately, Freedom Rangers aren't heritage or even a breed (a "breed" breeds true). They're a new hybrid -- the same thing a Cornish Cross is. You can't breed your own unless you have the recipe of mixed parentage. :-(

[@TiffanyL50]

Where does one get chicks that are organic, heritage meat chicks? I’m just starting in my journey and want to start with the right ingredients!

[@LilacDaisy2]

@@TiffanyL50 Heritage meat chickens that are a true breed (to breed your own) are things like New Hampshires. They're my pick after a lot of research, as they mature the fastest of all heritage chickens. They were THE commercial chicken in the thirties USA. The Light Sussex was the same thing in England. We have plans on having both breeds in separate pens, as breeders, and having a cross-breed as an F1 hybrid, for even faster growing. Look for "utility" strains, by hobby farmers, instead of buying from hatcheries. Recent decades, many people bred heritage breeds for awards at shows, with their utility characteristics bred out, for the useless favouring of things like feathering. Some people kept the utility types and improved their working traits!

[@ChickaWoofRanch]

Yep. We bought our last Cornish cross last year. We tried to give them one more try and they did not do well at all. I know you will keep us updated on the progress of the new birds.

[@jred1838]

We did a comparison one year with the freedom Rangers and Cornish cross. Our observations were exactly as yours. They acted like a real chicken. Also, we didn't lose one, whereas 10% of the Cornish died. We did not have the luxury to let them mature a little longer so they were smaller than the Cornish at the same time. However, heads up when it is time to butcher, we found the feathers to be very difficult to remove as we didn't have a plucker and we were doing it by hand. We ended up skinning them (not my preference). Would definitely revisit this breed but factor probably 2 more weeks of growing time. Cheers!

[@CatchingDreamsTarot]

Do you clip the feathers? How old before they can go outside. I was told 12 weeks old before they can go outside, I’m in South Carolina, I have 1 calico, 2 welsummer, 3 amber, 2 Orpington, they are all between 2 1/2 weeks and 3 1/2 weeks old

[@50shadesofgreen]

Hello Doug and Stacy !! Another fantastic update on the homestead !! Good luck with the new breed of 🐔🐓🐣🐤

[@LittleCountryCabin]

I really needed this info! Thank you so much! Love y'all and pray you have a day full of blessings!!!

[@Anonymous-cq2dtp]

wish you prosperity on your homestead 🤎

[@karentribbey3795]

Will be trying this heritage breed...thanks for the tip on the dog cage.

[@kathieswan3830]

Thank you for this posting.

[@TheWonderwy]

Going to their website to have a look today. Thanks!

[@SBECKTRADITIONS]

We just got Cornish cross for our 1st time doing meat chickens and I’m having second thoughts with considering freedom rangers. My issue is, are the freedom rangers still good if they can’t free range? We have a backyard homestead with super limited space and A LOT OF PREDATORS so they can only come out, when we are in the back yard for short periods of time. Do y’all think freedom rangers will be good for us?

[@Hoss999]

Woohoo!! Fixing to get some meat birds. It’s 2023 feb 18th and sh*ts getting crazy. Fixing to have my first child and I’m terrified lol already got chickens, australorps and brown sexlinks, now I need some meat birds. Can’t thank you guys enough. God bless y’all!!

[@lisabooker6405]

Such cute little chicks. Lancaster is where I will very likely be moving in the next year. My daughter and son in law and two of my grands are there. They've been fussing trying to get me to move closer cause they worry about me. Anywho...glad you get a couple days rest. Looking forward to seeing your next trip videos! Love, hugs and blessings, Lisa

[@pfeifferfamilyfarm991]

After 5 years, do y'all still keep the FR's for meat birds? I tried a breeding program with them and they were not so healthy at the one year mark. I did manage to hatch out some of their eggs and have 1 rooster and 3 hens that I kept for a new flock. I am curious if y'all stayed with the FR's or if there is a better option that is a heritage breed.

[@happylife2385]

I hope to get some chickens next spring. I grew up with chickens, and hope to expose my children to the experience of having some farm animals.

[@danaparzych7414]

We got some starlight green eggers and my daughter pleaded for an amberlink. We got them home and they are all great but the amberlink is FAR MORE lovey, low key, docile, sweet, snuggly, and just the best...I was so impressed with our impulse amberlink 😉❤️🐔

[@countrybumpkin2737]

Irma giving us rain and gust of wind here in South Carolina, were on the east side of the storm so we have to worry about tornado later today.

[@KelliepbAclecticChannel]

I love these chickens, Pennsylvania grows the best AKA Northwestern Pennsylvania Family here!😉👍👍👍👍🇺🇸

[@johnjanedoe1676]

So nice to know your renovations are working out well for you! Thanks for sharing.

[@juliebarnett9812]

Four (4) years down the road. How are you liking them now?

[@annotoole5864]

Definitely going to follow these birds. Thanks guys

[@BelindaTN]

I saw on a you tube channel that you cant breed Cornish crosses. They have to be bought from a hatchery. Why is that? Is it because they will not reproduce naturally? Or is there some kind of paten on them that makes it illegal to breed them. Like Monsanto and their corn.

[@BelindaTN]

Ok. So you could breed your own Cornish crosses, if you wanted to, also, raise the two breeds that it takes to create the Cornish crosses. Kind of like, a true Cockapoo, is a cross between a cocker spaniel and a poodle. Breeding cockapo to cockapoo, does not give you the same results. In the case of the Cornish cross, it is just easier to buy the hatchlings from a breeder.

[@RonGay58]

I checked out Freedom Ranger Hatchery and their sold out till June. That's way too late to start raising them here in Maine. Its a tough year too get anything you need for farming.

[@OFFGRIDwithDOUGSTACY]

That's perfect for Maine they grow out in a few weeks you better order some now 👍

[@alleghenyadventures8561]

Have you tried to breed them and hatch out your own red rangers? How did it go?

[@rajeeshp7333]

Which is the country ?

[@kathleenzimmerman8227]

WELCOME HOME!!! You guys look happiest & most content on your front porch on the homestead :-D GO FREEDOM RANGERS!! Sounds like some sort of sports team, eh? LOL Do all chickens eat the same thing? Or, do you have to tailor their diet to the breed? Love & prayers

[@OFFGRIDwithDOUGSTACY]

they all eat the same =) seeds and grass and bugs

[@heathermcmanaway]

I already have chickens for eggs, we are feeling better about now doing the next step and trying meat birds! Thanks guys you explain the information about Question with such ease!

[@thinktink5680]

Doug likes hip hop lol

[@daisygirl111975]

I'm totally with you! I could not support any breeds that remind me of the "animal industry." Let's keep the breeds of beauty and strength!

[@patmccrady6063]

How do you deal with loss from predators? I couldn't use the $50 coop, raccoons would tear into it.

[@owleyes71]

Farm dogs are a great option! Also, making your own coop specific to keeping out the predators in your area....my area we have issues with coyotes, raccoons, mountain lions and yes even other peoples escaped domestic animals. Livestock guardian dogs are, in my opinion, your best bet on TOP of other measures to protect your animals.

[@dannypregnojr5092]

I know it's been two years but the wife and I use solar electric fence works great for us

[@wheelsuprn6591]

How to you keep predators away in the $50 coop?

[@rebelstudio2720]

Like this tune.

[@shannonakins5752]

Hi Doug! Hi Stacey! I miss staying caught up with all of your videos. (New job, new blessings though) Have a good week, you too. And all you homestead homies!

[@sbayles]

They are so cute!

[@larryfeeks6620]

Nice birds!

[@RockyBrook]

How do you keep them warm before they feather?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

We always appreciate all the great information you share with us. I am considering looking into some heritage breed layers and if we ever get more property, certainly the meat birds so this is very helpful. Thank you so much. Love you two!

[@kerrilyn2221]

Cornish cross is totally a gmo bird lol. Such a great analogy. 😂😂😂

[@carolynkid216]

I am not in a place to have birds, but so enjoy all of your videos. And you mentioned fermenting ... I purchased a second refrigerator for my ferments. I know when it's cold I can store them elsewhere, but this fridge is now full of fermented pickles, zukes, onions, green beans, carrots, tomatoes, beets..all done with herbs and garlic. I am just now fermenting my last jar of little pear tomatoes from my garden. I have one jar of cabbage, but plan to do more. God is good!! Thanks for all you share.

[@checkma8s]

no video of the chicken?

[@DNGJustSnakes]

We have been considering getting Orloff due to the cold we get sometimes here in Idaho and a perfect SHTF chicken in my opinion....Though I saw a vid the other day of some 18th century ways they used to store eggs that can make them last up to 2 years....pretty cool stuff how smart people used to be...

[@madamestrawberry4321]

I worked for USPS for years and delivered lots of chicks. Those that came from certain hatcheries were definitely better adjusted and suffered less trauma during shipping. One young man, new to chickens, picked up his chicks in a sleet storm. I made him go back to his car to get a blanket to wrap them in to take them home. Otherwise, they would've died from the cold.

[@arkyhog6529]

Welcome back home hope you guys enjoyed yourself as much as I enjoyed watching love the chickens and like always a very great video

[@erism.4800]

I live about an hour from Freedom Ranger Hatchery I plan to try their white Muscovy next year.

[@pnbwelch]

Great info

[@donjohnson7189]

Have you folks tried Capons?

[@monagriggs5473]

Thank y’all for all the great ideas you give us 😊💞

[@zoeshorthouse7913]

Knoxville, Tennessee. My home town. 😊 I want to raise the Rangers when we move back home the U.S.

[@mrburke7067]

I just started watching your videos. I love the way you live and I can't wait till I can buy some land and live off grid growing my own food.love the videos

[@hollyhock3945]

Thanks for the Freedom Ranger update. They look great.

[@BlessedFarm]

What great looking chicks thanks for sharing them with us

[@anitavinesett3180]

Hey Doug&Stacy Thanks for sharing as always a great video.

[@billcallahan2830]

How much and how long and are they available all year.

[@OFFGRIDwithDOUGSTACY]

check here -----> www.freedomrangerhatchery.com/

[@The_Great_Hejaz]

I love countryside lifestyle

[@trudymautz4388]

You are raising those for eating or using for the eggs or both?

[@vinnettepope8255]

Thank you for sharing this information.

[@FyNyth]

One day soon in a slightly warmer place, I hope to have my own chickens so I will certainly be checking them out!

[@breesechick]

With a closed coop with bedding on the bottom and ventilation at the top to help chickens sensitive respiratory systems chickens have survived thousands of years without heat. You'd need a cold Hardy breed like Orpingtons. They have down all under their feathers for insulation.

[@kswaynes7569]

Started raising chickens at 15 in 1966. Bought 25 Rhode Island Reds, that went very well. Next year an ad came from the hatchery, 100 chicks for $8.95, I told my parents, there has to be hens in these! 104 chicks arrived, 104 roosters lived, 8 to 9 pound roasters! After 20 years of raising and butchering 100's of chickens each fall, I cannot stand to eat chicken.

[@OFFGRIDwithDOUGSTACY]

lol

[@Leabers]

I love watching you guys and all of stacy's recipes! I have added lots of great ideas to my own homestead because of you both thanks for being awesome!

[@hpsutvideo]

Great Info! I'm hoping to attend the Mother Earth News Fair this weekend. What is your Itinerary while there? I couldn't find you listed in the schedule. Please advise. Will you be speaking , giving a workshop or just hanging out? I've learned so much from watching your channel! I'm looking forward to when you start having workshops on your farm! Peace and Blessings to All! Helen in Millville, DE

[@OFFGRIDwithDOUGSTACY]

just hanging out so you get full attention =)

[@hpsutvideo]

Fantastic!!!

[@mporter1961]

keeping it real! thanks guys.

[@shelliswillow]

what do you two do with all the meat birds ?..I want to get some but there is a limit...it would be hard to fod when you have like 30 of them

[@OFFGRIDwithDOUGSTACY]

Get them in bunches you can handle like 10 10 10

[@OJAV08]

I don’t like the Cornish cross either! I will try the freedom rangers next

[@thomaslinden7598]

agree corn cross gmo chick, ranger is an old breed. seeing this sept. 2018. love your vids.

[@Veemack21]

We are on our second go around on Cornish cross birds I think next time ill try the rangers..

[@janetmccarter9561]

We learn all kinds of Great things from the two of you. I'm still binge watching as time allows. I love, love, LOVE both of you. Stacy's health info is AWESOME!

[@ltt5800]

Janet McCarter who is the fool, the fool or the fool that follows the fool..meat is acid=all illness!!first thing you are taken off if cancer,heart,digestive. all spiritual scripture says not to kill. mushrooms,aruvedic herbs,haritake.org/bfoodfree.org ..healing with whole foods,paul pitchford...is spiritual, not pretending to be. sun gazing=no need to eat,reduced sleep,boosts immune and not killing

[@jeffreyhatmaker7254]

Great channel, thank you. I own a small farm in nearby Greeneville. I plan on raising chickens and goats (super hilly terrain).

[@Wendyann1100]

Love you guys. The Rangers are awesome birds. 💖💖

[@rickparshall]

I got 10 Freedom Rangers this spring from the same hatchery.. love these birds.. one of the girls or two just laid their first egg!! We wanted to save a rooster and couple of hens to attempt to breed and incubate for chicks.!! We were told they will not hatch true to breed but we shall see as the rooster sure likes to get his job done!! Lol.. love you guys!!

[@mikejamilking9371]

thanks

[@markhadley1545]

What is you take on Bantam Vs Standard for sustainable egg production?

[@OFFGRIDwithDOUGSTACY]

Mark Hadley wouldn't do Bantams bust some think they are cute

[@markhadley1545]

Not concerned about "cute" wondering about the economics of say Barred rock Bantams vs the same breed standard sized.. I can see many advantages to having a larger number of smaller birds. Wondering if there are disadvantages I am over looking

[@OFFGRIDwithDOUGSTACY]

Mark Hadley not sure... I would want the biggest eggs and most meat from the fewest birds 👍

[@mrs8792]

I really appreciate the info on the heritage breed. I've heard awful things about the Cornish cross.

[@nedhill1242]

Freedom rangers are not a heritage breed. They are a hybrid like the Cornish cross. But they are closer to a regular chicken than the Cornish.

[@thiscottagetable3021]

When you buy your chicks from the hatchery, they give you the option to vaccinate for meriks. Do you think this is a good idea. It is my first time to order meat birds and no one has mentioned this on their videos....or i missed it.

[@OFFGRIDwithDOUGSTACY]

Nope

[@wjmsmith]

Doug, where do you get your hats? Will

[@colinblankenship2401]

good choice

[@commonweakness9060]

Way to go guys.....Heritage breeds are the best!

[@nedhill1242]

Freedom rangers are not a heritage breed. I don’t know why they were saying that in the video. They are a hybrid income from four different birds. They cannot breed amongst each other. You have to buy them from a hatchery.

[@dennisst.germaine3497]

Welcome back to the Homestead! Looking forward to new videos!

[@brandkennels8148]

The bomb-diggity haha nice I'm subscribed! Great channel

[@11spitdms]

Will the hatch out their own chicks?

[@ChikinTown]

Do Red Freedom Rangers reproduce? I want to start raising meet birds but I was hesitant about Cornish Cross because everything I read says they won't or can't reproduce because they grow too fast and get sick after a couple months? I want to raise birds that I can depend on as a sustainable food source if needed, not have to order them every year... any suggestions?

[@MainelyAcresFarmBrooks]

Yes the red ranger reproduce. We ordered a straight run from our hatchery, so we could get a mix of birds to kick start us off next year.

[@ChikinTown]

Thanks!

[@JoshuaSmithHomesteader]

Cornish cross and freedom rangers can all reproduce. If you really want to use a few for breeding, then don't feed them grower and don't feed them 24[7. The problem with reproducing these hybrids is they have several different parent genes from different kinds of crosses, so you may get a chicken to hatch out of one their eggs but it may not be a chicken with all the genes from its parents. You will end up with something but not a true copy of what you wanted to hatch. It's the same when you plant an apple seed. You will get a tree but not the apple tree you thought you planted. If you really want to reproduce heritage birds, check out a farm or small hatchery that focuses on reproducing for weight. Some birds that are naturally heavy are the Malines, buff orpington, and white rock. For a reference to what I mean, check out True north hatchery in B.C. Canada. This small hatchery grows light sussex roosters to 6 or 7 lbs in 16 weeks. Now that is a homestead bird. It may cost a little to have something like this shipped, but once you establish a breeding flock it will more then pay for itself. Cheers from the North!

[@grannymoreno9551]

Joshua Smith-Homesteader Thank you for explaining about True Heritage breeds. Newbies just don't get it, I just smile at them smh. 😃 But for income, I'll raise rangers to supply my customers with at least a non gmo fed bird for their dinner table.

[@grannymoreno9551]

All chickens reproduce, but the hybrids offspring don't look like the parent birds

[@banditmoon4399]

I like the freedom ranger chicken also, but they are not heritage chickens, they are a cross between about 4 different breeds. You can’t raise them for sustainability.

[@mrburke7067]

How do you make money to buy the things you have to buy.

[@ltt5800]

Mr Burke they scam with fear peppers and sell things no one honestly with god needs

[@southernhen]

We got ours a week before you and they are awesome! This is our second batch of Red Freedom Rangers! They're super healthy birds and they taste amazing! I also love that you can request all males at no extra charge! All of our family, and friends are shocked by the difference in taste, there's just nothing to compare it to. We raised our on Texas Natural Feeds, it's a non soy, non GMO feed, and I do believe that this also contributed to the quality of the bird. That being said, I do NOT believe that, had we raised the Cornish cross on the same feed, that we would have had the same result. The Cornish, in my opinion, are factory birds, and there's just no way to remove the "man made" taste out of the bird. The Cornish is definitely out, like you said! I'm a firm believer in quality animals, and quality feed equal a quality product. Love the red freedom ranger, and homestead homies! 💖

[@williamchristopher1560]

yep, ill bet the sun oven is working real good for the next few days lol

[@dalebaker9788]

Stay on topic

[@jrineck]

I switched years ago..good video!

[@nickrizzo96]

What do you guys do with your chickens after you butcher them? Do you use a friends freezer or can them?

[@jimclaire7996]

Doug, great video. Thank you for sharing. Great information. Heritage breed, thanks for sharing that information too. I do not know anyone who really likes the Cornish. God bless.

[@nedhill1242]

The freedom ranger is not a heritage breed. I don’t know why they were saying that. It is a well-known hybrid. Four different chickens are bred to make a freedom ranger.