In 2010 we saved some pullets and a cockerel out of our FR meaty flock. We hatched several eggs this summer, in incubator and under broodies of other breeds. We seemed to have an average hatch rate, though the FR hens laid quite a few double yolkers and they don't often hatch.
Growing out, the chicks behaved pretty much like the parents--avid foragers and friendly birds. The big difference between the offspring and their parents was the coloring. Most of our original FRs were buff or red, with one brown/gray and one barred tricolor (the roo we kept). Our hatchlings feathered out in several different colors and most were barred like their father. Only one red cockerel looked like the original hatchery bunch. We kept him for breeding next year.
Here are the dressed weights:
16 week old FR x FR: range of 5# - 7#, average 6# We would normally process at around 12 weeks but had some delays.
7 month old FR x RIR cockerel: 7#
The runt of the summer was a FR x RIR pullet. At hatch she was just slightly smaller than the full FR, but she grew much slower and at 4 months she is just the size of our banties. We'll keep her to see if she keeps growing.
We also processed our 2010 FR hens. They dressed out at 6# - 8.6#, average 7.5#, and were very fatty under skin and in cavity. We replaced them with some of their daughters so will see how the next generation fares next year.
Growing out, the chicks behaved pretty much like the parents--avid foragers and friendly birds. The big difference between the offspring and their parents was the coloring. Most of our original FRs were buff or red, with one brown/gray and one barred tricolor (the roo we kept). Our hatchlings feathered out in several different colors and most were barred like their father. Only one red cockerel looked like the original hatchery bunch. We kept him for breeding next year.
Here are the dressed weights:
16 week old FR x FR: range of 5# - 7#, average 6# We would normally process at around 12 weeks but had some delays.
7 month old FR x RIR cockerel: 7#
The runt of the summer was a FR x RIR pullet. At hatch she was just slightly smaller than the full FR, but she grew much slower and at 4 months she is just the size of our banties. We'll keep her to see if she keeps growing.
We also processed our 2010 FR hens. They dressed out at 6# - 8.6#, average 7.5#, and were very fatty under skin and in cavity. We replaced them with some of their daughters so will see how the next generation fares next year.