The Freedom Rangers Surprised Us! Freedom Ranger vs. Cornish Cross Meat Chickens...Just the FACTS!!

[@MB-wf8si]

Hi guys! This is a great video, but I'd like to add a little something for anyone who's hesitating between the two: I raised Freedom Ranger, Red Ranger, etc: from a few sources like MurrayMcMurray, Hoover Hatchery and off course the Freedom Ranger. I don't raise them like you do with the small hoops. I let them free range from about 3-4 weeks under a large mesh canopy (10X16 hoop house with chicken wire all around) then totally free range in the semi-wooded half acre parcel that we have fenced from then on till about 10-12 weeks. This way, I feed them very little and they go around and forage very well. They don't develop the bald spot on their breasts and act much like a heritage breed would, except they grow much faster. Just my experience, though. Cheers!

[@blake9893]

I still maintain this is both the most interesting, and important series in the homesteading arena this year! This is a great breakdown of important things to look for when looking ahead for next years planning--it's harvest time for me in my first year and I've got about 50 birds down, and 80 or so to go! Thanks for the good work!

[@faithbuller4086]

Sarah you have such an easy smile. It's so nice

[@lisabooker6405]

This is THE most in depth comparison of the two I think I’ve ever seen. Love it! Thank you for “geeking out” for all of us. Much appreciated! God Bless and have a wonderful weekend!! ~Lisa

[@lorilumax6850]

wow.. the numbers really tell the story.. I am curious about the end results. Thanks for laying this out this way. Enjoy your visit.

[@deb3834]

It's not mess it's compost.

[@mmatrainee]

Yes, and dog food.

[@dianecline8422]

The main reason Freedom Rangers are preferred by so many folks is that, unlike Cornish Cross, the Freedom Rangers free-range to a much higher extent thereby costing less in feed and creating less mess than you are seeing. I believe that by keeping the FR in the tractors you are negating the potential cost benefit.

[@papasfatcat8648]

Yes enjoying and look forward to your weekly video's updates. What you find out will make a difference for me next year. Thanks.

[@lindagiammarco2687]

I've been watching these chicken comparison videos with interest. It's so educational. Even though I will never have my own homestead, I love learning about it. Blessings to you and your family. 😊❤🐔🐔🐔🐔😊❤

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

Nice video comparison, we raised the Cornish Cross, Red Rangers and Freedom Rangers. There are some major differences (pro and con) between the Cornish and the other two in our opinion.

[@caewalker9276]

Good thing those bald spots are. Less feathers to pluck😊. Thanks guys, I look forward to your videos.

[@LivingTraditionsHomestead]

Yes! When you've plucked chickens...you realize that LESS feathers aren't a bad thing. Haha!

[@evagirl3542]

Awesome info..we raise the Cornish and I also included the pine chip bedding for over all costs too..we will be doing the chicken tracker next year so there is no beding cost.

[@christiniaholcomb2615]

Thank you for posting these video of the chickens. My husband and I have been talking about raising our own chicken to put in the freezer. This is very informational for us. Hubby loves the chicken tractor also. You guys rock!

[@victorialg1270]

Since you have a mechanical feather remover, you might not notice if dark pin feathers are left with the freedom rangers. For a hand plucker like me a white bird gets extra points just for that.

[@1gr8lpta]

Just so you know, the chicken plucker removes those pin feathers as well. But hands are definitely Gods perfect tools.

[@christinaoklaohio7926]

I am not raising chickens but I still enjoyed seeing both of you doing this comparison. Ty

[@eileenpalumbo6578]

Thank you for doing this series. I appreciate all the time and work you put into it.

[@DeepSouthHomestead]

Good info ours is on the way.

[@tylerehrlich1471]

As someone comparing breeds this video was fantastic! Looks like Cornish have the greatest feed conversion, but whether that one number is the ultimate factor remains to be seen!

[@Posteyam]

Kevin always has the best shirts.

[@LittleJordanFarm]

Opinion. ..I let freedom rangers Range...food cost greatly lowered ..natural food protein. Crickets and small grasshoppers are plentiful this time of year. And supplement a evening rationing for extra weight. These birds are known for being good for grazing. Unless of course some folks live in areas they can't do that.

[@LivingTraditionsHomestead]

How long does it take them to reach butcher size by raising them in that way?

[@swianecki]

Fun watching that comparison each week. Even though I'm not a chicken farmer, I find it very interesting to watch.

[@greenrage2484]

Thanks for the continued saga... of Freedom Ranger vs. Cornish Cross Meat Chickens...Just the FACTS!!... I understand that you were wanting a complete equal process where straight run or just cockerels are concerned.. And tho I can't speak of the Freedom rangers.. We always get straight run, and We have about the same amounts in weight no matter sex, There are always some we let go a little longer that are smaller because the lard butt biggest bird hog the food area... and they are both sexes. And we have had pullets that were actually bigger then the cockerels in the first round of butchering. Fun to see this week by week. Thanks for sharing your findings.. :)

[@edsmith4414]

Processed 7 of our current crop of Cornish yesterday, the largest of 22, (probably roosters, had red combs developing) which were 6wks/2 days old. Live weights ranged from 8lb down to 5lb-12oz, then 1.3/4lb to 2lb less finish carcass.

[@lbsmith83]

I think this comparison is very interesting.

[@Torrthemage]

Just to let you know, week 5 and 6 are switched around in the playlist. Great videos, keep it up guys!

[@PatricesProjects]

Very good comparison series. I like how you are covering more than just the weight of the birds and feed. The breakdown math is very informative as well.

[@maryhill2105]

It will be so interesting to see the outcome of this experiment. I do enjoy watching ALL your video's , especially the cute baby goats lol. TFS

[@50shadesofgreen]

good day to you Kevin and Sarah !! thanks for sharing another awesome update on & off the homestead 👨‍🌾🎥👍✝

[@mariayelruh]

When they are butchered it would be interesting to see if there was a difference in ratio of white to dark meat. Some people have a strong preference for one over the other.

[@maggienixon1312]

Maria Hurley we raised chickens years ago and butchered all of the rosters due to them attacking the hens one at a time. They were mostly dark meat. Didn’t care for it too much. Different flavor than what I was used too. It was ok in soups though

[@tommydurham8386]

you have done a wonderful job. an outside observation, when you move the tractors, you put the feed where the water was dumped, can you move them a bit more so there is no overlap? LOVE and HUGS, well done thanks you!!!

[@DarrenShinn]

Really enjoyed the comparison thus far. I cant wait to see the final results. Thanks. God bless!

[@ediblegardens942]

Loving these comparisons. Also loving all of Kevin's t-shirts - you have a great sense of humor Kevin!

[@salmonhunter7414]

Very nice comparison . Love the chicken math.

[@russsherwood5978]

i dont worry bout feathers as i skin the birds that way no feathers blowing around,, other then tat i,m enjoying your videos,, have a blessed and safe day

[@barbaraguthrie5107]

Mortality rate will have to be a factor as well. 3 Cornish lost.

[@cynthiafisher9907]

Barbara Guthrie I grew 30 Cornish Cross once and didn’t lose any.

[@rosejafari8917]

Have you thought about saving 1 rooster and a couple hens to try to raise some freedom rangers? Love the comparison.

[@mirandabartlett9633]

This is a great series. You are answering all my questions without even having to ask.

[@dusty265]

Great video guys, as always you guys have some of the best videos and information on KZbin in the Homesteading world! Thanks for sharing. This is a super interesting comparison!

[@LivingTraditionsHomestead]

Thank you SO much!

[@stevencain5307]

thank you for the great effort you guys are taking to provide this information. great analysis. you guys are an inspiration to all of us. GOD BLESS

[@stevencain5307]

additionally, we do raise our own meat chickens, we have noted the same for us. also try brineing them after they are dispatched. it really enhances the flavor.

[@greatdanerescuemom1]

i think in the end the taste will make up for it all.... even tho i dont eat meat, my guys prefered the freedom rangers more then any bird. and we do all organic feed, so it was to them even better. blessings.

[@fooddude9921]

Great video, looking forward to seeing how it all pans out, especially wrt end totals when factoring in mortality which I suspect will have a significant impact.

[@mollystoykovich2111]

New subbie here and first time commenting - lol. I have concluded that I must be a nerd too!!!! I find this fascinating and I don't know why, LOL! I love to garden and have learn a bunch about the art by watching you'al but I don't EVER indent to raise chickens for their meat. WHY AM I SO INTRIGUED?

[@LivingTraditionsHomestead]

It's ok to be nerdy! Lol.

[@ldg2655]

I am enjoying this series... i had made up my mind that the next meat birds we raised were going to be freedom rangers.. i have raised cornish in the past on wire and had a lot of problems with being to heavy to support themselves ( feed 24/7). This comparison not only gives me the facts and figures, but i've also learned a bit about animal management and not providing an all-you-can-eat buffet 24/7. I've also heard that soaking their feed before feeding reduces overall feed consumption and increases feed efficiency.. i have thought about doing that too, but have to go back and re-visit that info... Thanks for these comparisons!

[@kflan3342]

Thank you for doing this comparison as it helps me in my research for raising my meat birds in two years.

[@rebeccag856]

Very interesting. Thank you. At the end of the study I would like to know the total cost per bird (which I think you will probably do anyway) but also the amount of time/work you spent per bird. Thanks again! I really enjoy your channel.

[@ffwife1210]

I am super curious about the taste difference, if there is any. Will you be doing the processing of each of the chickens on video? I'm sure another deciding factor on whether people raise CC vs FR is if there is any difference in the processing such as defeathering or gutting. Just a thought...

[@becky4321]

This is great guys. We raised the Cornish Cross for the first time this year and it wasn't the best experience for us newbies because several died and different stages. So I'm contemplating trying the Freedom rangers. I would really like to hear what you do with dead chickens? No one really talks about it. Bury, burn, bag and trash it, or some other useful??

[@shonitagarcia3222]

Awesome! Thank you again for sharing the video. Great job!

[@charmainemontgomery582]

Your comparison on the chickens has been very interesting & informative 😃

[@ritcheymt]

I LOVE your breakdown of the math! Thank you! However, I'd like to suggest a very important adjustment that will shed more light on your gains and losses. It seems all your figures are calculated around the birds that survived. That misses the whole-farm or whole-brood perspective. That would be like a business calculating the success of a certain product on only the units that sold. That fails to inform business owners about the waste and inefficiencies of the units that didn't sell. Those are serious expenses because unlike products that sell, products that don't sell have no sales to balance the books! I suggest a more telling way to compare the two breeds of chickens would be to include in your calculations figures about the birds that died. That would really change the math! Think, for instance, what a waste it is to invest feed into a chicken that ends up dying before harvest! If one breed dies more often than another, the resulting waste and inefficiencies of the weaker breed should show somewhere in your math. Imagine what die-off numbers would do to the feed/bird, weekly gain/bird, and especially feed conversion numbers. Pouring five weeks of food into a bird that dies on the sixth week and never goes to harvest is a waste of a /lot/ of food! It definitely changes your income/expense balance, so you would surely benefit from showing it in your calculations.

[@johnchase4408]

Excellent Comparison ! Thank You.

[@UncleDutchFarms]

Interesting! I wonder if the FR will end up rallying but it sure looks like the Cornish X will be the best option. I'm really curious though, I wonder if someone who has the space & setup (because I don't lol) could do a comparison like this for fully pastured birds and see what happens. I suspect that's really where the Freedom Rangers shine.

[@Screamingpinesfarm]

Very good studies of rangers to cornish. However having hens mixed in with the rangers if adjusted feed the rangers would have eaten more total if they were all males. do you have half and half hens/roosters or 10% hens ?

[@artist45]

Gosh, I find this fascinating. I know I wouldn't be good at this 'cause I'd have given all of the chickens names and I would have grown attached to all of them. I guess I'm just too much of a softy to raise my own meat. I do, however, find all of this information quite interesting and I know that this series will help other homesteaders. Good work!

[@jimf1964]

artist45 I've thought of doing this in the near future, and have thought of the same problem as you. I think if I had one or two, I would have a problem as well, but when it's a bunch of them, they become anonymous. Also when there's tons of other stuff to do, it's not possible to sit around and "play" with them, and get to know them. Just think about how good they'll taste! 😁

[@missmartpants2269]

Me too! I'm way too soft hearted for animals, but its great that people are doing this. I was honestly raised that way too

[@jimf1964]

Miss mart pants I think it's awesome that people can be someone who isn't able to do it, but still respect those that do. Far too many one sided people it seems nowadays

[@NiaLin]

Both chickens changed a lot over the last week! They don’t look like chicks anymore. I like the look of the rangers better, but that has nothing to do w/eating them for sure. You don’t really need pretty meat 😆. Anyway, I find this series very interesting! Thanks for all the work you put into it.

[@carolhodges9181]

Very cool. Are you going to weight bones Separate on harvest? May have been camera angle but one's feet looked bigger. Bone vs meat may be a factor. TY

[@fivetopsfarm8061]

Thanks for the info. My only concern with either breed is the fact that you have to have an outside source. Sort of why I want to go with more of a multipurpose bird that I can use for meat and eggs.

[@jenendahunter8207]

Have a great day! Jenenda

[@mattsmith7904]

You know you will have to do a taste test with both when that come to harvest

[@missmartpants2269]

Sarah, are you planning on selling any loofahs at the farmers market? I have seen some easy melt and pour soaps with loofahs in them and I think they would sell Really Well. God bless!

[@aliverseidge]

This is great. Thank you.

[@uddercharmsfarm8159]

I need to weigh my Cornish! I have a mix and the roosters are noticeably bigger. They are almost 7 weeks old and just don’t seem as big as yours now! Have you ever had to postpone butcher day due to size issues?? We are planning it for next sat when they are about 8 wks.

[@Dawnybros]

I was wondering how much larder and freezer space you need to provide for your family over the year. :)

[@Gods_creation.His_harvest]

Where did you order your chicks?

[@jfinnall]

Kevin, your shirt is fantastic!

[@scrapshackfarms1349]

To make it worth my while for the family, we would have to raise 80 cross rock at a time. That's figuring at 99 per lb at the store for the same chicken

[@jesserippee9457]

Yes very educational thanks for the information 💯🙏

[@elisabethkarlsen3370]

Have you done a comparison like this with rabbits? That would also be interesting!

[@nsebeny1781]

When you are factoring the conversion, you are comparing a mix of male/female vs. only male because you are using the total feed consumption of each group. Could that make a difference?

[@RockingCHomestead]

Great job on the comparison. It sounds like Kevin is leaning to the Crosses.

[@michelewarren5311]

Love factual info! Thanks for sharing!

[@joeb8167]

So interesting! Wondering if you might have considered soaking feed first? I've heard that doing so decreased cost by 20% with little difference in weight gain. Thank you for sharing this!

[@ernestosanchez2942]

Honestly depends what you feed them which determines their growth and weight but theirs many ways to grow your meat chickens

[@Housemouse7777]

You should try actual free ranging an see how much it off seats the feed

[@edwarddarst8330]

Rangers you can use them for eggs where the other one you can't

[@jamesbutler1547]

What hatchery do you use/order from? I know you have said it before, but I have forgotten.

[@lesleywatkins1172]

Do you freeze them whole or portion them?

[@jilliancarr2270]

I have never raised chickens or livestock, so if I may ask a very basic question? You keep your chickens in tractors and give them store bought feed - could you raise them in a larger enclosure and feed them some garden off cuts, in order for the feed costs to be less? I don’t anticipate ever raising my own chickens, but am still enjoying this series, and everything else you do.

[@nancyfahey7518]

Mine are free range. They go to their perch at sundown in their chicken house and I lock them up from preditors. I say nighty nite, see ya in the morning. Oh yes I give them chicken feed from tractor supply each morning.

[@jilliancarr2270]

Nancy Fahey And they’re meat birds? It seems you raise them differently depending whether they are egg layers or meat birds.

[@texasrigger1316]

You absolutely can but you need breeds that are good foragers. The freedom ranger would be better suited to that as would heritage dual purpose breeds but it will take far more time to get them to weight so it's a balance of keeping techniques vs efficiently. Growing them that way also produces tougher but more flavorful meat.

[@nancyfahey7518]

@@jilliancarr2270 I've found over the years that the barred rocks are my favorites. They take hot summers in Florida and cold winters in New Hampshire. They are the friendliest and independent at the same time. I even have a rooster first time and I'm so amazed at his attention to the girls. They are pretty heavy meaning they make good meatbirds and brown egg layers. Just all around no nonsense birds.

[@edsmith4414]

You do raise them differently. Cornish cross are bred to just eat and eat and eat, gaining an incredible amount of weight in the shortest time possible (I call them "Franken-chickens). If you gave them room to run, they won't move too far from the feeder. They will eat pasture, but they need a LOT of feed to grow to 7-8lbs in 7-8wks....pasture alone simply won't do it. But laying chicks (any breed, we've raised lots of different ones) can and will forage as much as possible....you just about can't give them too big an area (we have to fence tight due to predators).

[@loriehabel1552]

As yall get closer to the big harvest. Which breed has more fat and the colors of the fat. I let my rangers grow for a year and let them lay eggs but the fat color on them well lets just say, hmmm. Have a wonderful weekend. And thank you both for the update.

[@clintyoung5861]

Have you considered the initial cost of the chicks in any information yet?

[@LivingTraditionsHomestead]

We order our chicks from Welp Hatchery if you want to check out pricing. The freedom rangers are a little more expensive than the Cornish if I remember correctly. -Kevin

[@angelolivolsi1492]

I hope you do a test on flaver !

[@markpennella]

Great job

[@karencatalano4349]

I’m enjoying this series very informative

[@juanlao9814]

Very nice information thank you

[@plurmingo1]

I know it’s a bit early for this question. Do take the birds off feed before butchering ? If so, how long ?

[@MatthewCKirschner]

Keep it up, this is great.

[@RickP654]

Hey Kevin and Sarah, Have you ever considered raising capons? If you don't know what that is, it is castrated roosters. They are more doscile and uninterested in the hens, so, the only thing they want to do is eat and get BIG and FAT. Isn't that what it's all about? Do a search on capons and you can learn how to do the conversion yourself, if interested in raising a bigger bird that is. Just a thought, I am 65 and only heard about this two or three months ago. Any way, good luck in all your endeavors and keep up your good work. God bless.

[@Steve-ps6qw]

Neat stuff, wish I could fast forward into the future to see the end results. You are taking this to 8 weeks? I can't remember. The taste test might be interesting too.

[@jlchafe75]

Is there any chance that you could do a video showing us the “nerdy math stuff”? I love your videos, and this comparison is great to watch. I’d love to be able to do this just to maintain records on my meat chickens.

[@ladyhen76]

Do you think the Cornish will be ready to process earlier than the Freedom Rangers? If you have to feed the FR longer, won't that shoot the better feed conversion?

[@tdnolting8859]

How about a study on capons?

[@shaebray9037]

what was the price difference when you bought the birds

[@lilbitatatime3763]

Enjoying your series. Look at the size of those Cornish legs in comparison to the FR's. I've noticed our roosters tend to eat more than hens so should you factoring that to reflect if the FR's were all roosters since you're adjusting the rations for the three absent CX's? 👍

[@lincsfencingandgardeningse9128]

What the protein content of your feed?

[@deb3834]

yea. what's the feed ingredients and price to grow each kind of bird?

[@lincsfencingandgardeningse9128]

@@deb3834 ingredients will most likely be corn, soya, and or pulses to up the protein count.

[@deb3834]

is it true when you hold a chicken up by the feet they become very still? not freaking out. and will gravity and water remove the guts?

[@lincsfencingandgardeningse9128]

@@deb3834 hold most animals unsdise down will make there blood rush to there head which In turn will make them drosey. You will get some flapping at first but they soon calm down. Check out my channel Im currently on week 7 of meat birds. And it'sy proffered why of weighing my birds. M

[@ti2gr475]

That shirt on Kevin is awesome!

[@sissydewoody8717]

Your vids get my 'inquiring mind' into high gear. Went online for pix of 5 wk chicks. Both the CC & FR are twice the size of regular chicks. Comparison of feathering interesting. Trivia: are the combs of the FR bigger than CC? BTW will you give a shot of your trees once they turn red & yellow? Here in AR the dogwoods are already bright red, with scattering of yellows. Wish your folks could have stayed for fall color extravaganza.

[@aleciahamiter6554]

I love your chicken and egg shirt!!

[@17buckrogers]

have you ever raised easter egg chickens?

[@lorim.8136]

Would it be possible for a final cost on food once the birds are ready for processing just to give newbies an idea on the cost of raising their own chickens? Maybe what type of food that you are using :)

[@douglaslambert8903]

yes keep going