Red Rangers vs Freedom Rangers

[Hummingbird Hollow]

After raising 35 Freedom Rangers last summer and being very satisfied with the results, I want to raise more this summer (we only have 3 left in thte freezer!). My husband, however, was not thrilled with the experience of helping me evacuate the 35 Freedom Rangers and my 8 layers out of the path of the Waldo Canyon Fire. At first he said "never again", but over the course of the winter he has relented to "no more than 15-18 at a time. So, for awhile I was stumped, because you can't order less than 25 Freedom Rangers.

However, I did find McMurray Hatchery will sell Red Rangers in batches as small as 15 if you are getting delivery after April 30th. So, I ordered 18 Red Rangers for early May delivery.

Does anyone know how Red Rangers compare to Freedom Rangers? I know it's a bit late to ask, since I already ordered them, but I'm still curious.

By the way, forcast for the summer of 2013 is that it will be as bad or worse than 2012, so perhaps hubby is right about limiting the number of chickens we will need to evacuate in case of another fire.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

Anyone on the Red Ranger vs Freedom Ranger question? If not, do you want me to post my own analysis when these are processes?

 

[sparrker]

Great question!

 

[Mingming]

I'm raising freedom rangers for the first time ever raising meat birds, so unfortunately I can't help... But I'd love to see what your thoughts on the differences might be!

 

[fowlplaypoultry]

We raised over 50 Red Rangers on pasture last summer. It was hot, hot, hot here, too. I couldn't have been more pleased with how they performed. As far as Reds v. Freedoms, I'm not too sure there's that much difference. Just a hunch, though. We're going to try Freedoms this summer (we've pre-sold over 100 already) just because they cost a little less per chick. It will be interesting to compare performance. Good Luck!

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

FYI. My Red Rangers hit the 9 week mark early this week and I scheduled butchering the first batch yesterday. I got everything set up and went out and picked one of the roosters that looked large compared to the others. I was pretty unimpressed when I had him plucked and even less impressed when I finished butchering him and he weighed in at 3 lb 5 oz. While decided that all the rest had at least another week to live and get bigger.

For comparison, I butchered 4 Freedom Ranger roosters and 1 pullet when they were 9 weeks old last summer. The pullet was the smallest at 3 lb 15 oz and the roosters all ranged between 4 lb 1 oz and 5 lb even.

So, while far from scientific (since I didn't weigh all of the chickens at 9 weeks, only looked around and grabbed what looked like the largest) I thought I'd share my limited results. I'll post more next week.

 

[Mingming]

Red Ranger vs Freedom Ranger.... do they look different? My male freedom rangers went to process at 11 weeks and the females at 13 weeks - each batch weighed in around 5 lbs processed weight. I was disappointed that the girls needed another 2 weeks, but I think it was because the boys would hog all the food (boys will be boys!), and when they were gone, the girls got up to speed.

 

[Elke Beck]

FYI. My Red Rangers hit the 9 week mark early this week and I scheduled butchering the first batch yesterday. I got everything set up and went out and picked one of the roosters that looked large compared to the others. I was pretty unimpressed when I had him plucked and even less impressed when I finished butchering him and he weighed in at 3 lb 5 oz. While decided that all the rest had at least another week to live and get bigger.

For comparison, I butchered 4 Freedom Ranger roosters and 1 pullet when they were 9 weeks old last summer. The pullet was the smallest at 3 lb 15 oz and the roosters all ranged between 4 lb 1 oz and 5 lb even.

So, while far from scientific (since I didn't weigh all of the chickens at 9 weeks, only looked around and grabbed what looked like the largest) I thought I'd share my limited results. I'll post more next week.

Red Rangers are supposed to be butchered at 12 weeks, so I think you were a little early.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

Red Rangers are supposed to be butchered at 12 weeks, so I think you were a little early.

If that is the case, I guess I did jump the gun a bit. I butchered my Freedom Rangers last year a third at 9 weeks, a third at 10 and a third at 11. I guess they are a quicker growing bird.

 

[UrbanBirds]

So what's your final analysis of the two breeds. I have raised fr but only eaten rr. Taste wise the are similar to me.