"Having egg layers for five years, I wanted to go into meat production to increase the use of our 4 acres. I understood the limitations of winter raising and thought that learning over the winter, I could then achieve success for the rest of the year(warmer weather). I started in November and virtually hand-raised the first 102 chicks to processing 13 weeks later. We lost 11 and Joel or Marty from JM Hatchery was always available when I needed questions answered. Average weight was 4.5 lbs. dressed weight, but those chicks ate to keep warm. I'm on my third order (March 2010) and have realized that winter rearing needs professional brooder equipment for at least the first four weeks and in winter. (The cold 20-30 degree nights) can destroy even up to 6-7 weeks of age as they are not fully feathered out. I wanted to thank Joel and Marty for all the help, time and valable advice given to me and look forward to my 4th delivery later this month."

"Two weeks old, trying to fly already, never seen so much vigor in small chicks, Looking Great!"

"We ordered 100 chicks for a late fall finish date, knowing we would be testing the real limits of grazing for the Rangers. Although our Wisconsin days were already cooling (nights especially so) by mid-September, we put our chicks in their hoop houses at three weeks and released them to graze at 4 weeks, removing their night heating lamps at the same time. We gave the 4-6 weeks old chicks measured feedings three times per day, amounting to 3/4 of their needed daily intake, forcing them to graze the remainder of their needs. By 6 weeks all night feeding was eliminated. The birds came out at dawn ready to hunt with a passion. <br /> <br /> We found the Rangers did especially well with the controlled feedings, something we hoped for as we were using the quite expensive organic Tropic Tradition feed. Using several 6\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\' sections of PVC pipe (split length-wise) as raised feeders, allowed the groups to separate into companionable units, each completely cleaning their feeder before moving on to graze again. <br /> <br /> The Rangers did extremely well with 3x weekly moves to clean pasture (not all breeds do, some seem to \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"lose\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" their huts) and readily adapted to new food discoveries in each pasture, including fully enjoying our harvest gleanings, demolishing greens, melons, squashes and turnips. Two note-worthy comments: This breed is astounding in its environment awareness; spying potential predation much faster than any other meat breed we have ever observed. And, worthy of some consideration for far pasture use: The Rangers drank more water than any other meat breed we have tried. Not a negative trait, but certainly note-worthy.<br /> <br /> We are delighted to say the group went to slaughter at 10 and 11 weeks with an average hanging weight of 5 lbs 11oz. We lost 3 chicks -each within 4 days of their arrival- and one cockerel at 7 weeks that grew unusually large by comparison of the rest of the group and was found unmarked, dead. <br /> <br /> There was a spread of growth, especially with the pullets, that was initially of some concern but was easily resolved by holding back the smaller group for an additional week before processing. We expected this group to come in at well below 5lb each and were delighted to find the extra week was all that was needed for an average hanging weight of 5lb 3oz. <br /> <br /> It is certainly likely that all of these average weights could have been pushed to much higher levels with aggressive feeding, but we feel this would have worked against the health of the birds and purpose of pastured poultry.<br /> <br /> Our sample packages have been extremely well-received in our test population and the comments glowing. We look forward to a much appreciated future with the Ranger breed."

"We just raised and processed our first meaties. We chose the Freedom Rangers and will do it again! Strong, healthy, enjoyable birds that were active to the end. We had no losses. We processed at 11 weeks, with an average dressed weight of 6#. Roasted the first one tonight...you should've been here! Great flavor and texture."

"This breed of chicken, makes a wonderful meat bird. They grow healthy and are great for free ranging. A must have for any family wanting to raise their own chickens for meat or eggs."

"If you're looking for an alternative meat chicken, these cannot be beat. At 12 weeks, I had dressed weights that averaged close to 6 lbs. Out of 150, I only lost one past the first week. He died at 11 1/2 weeks. Anyone who raises cornish cross would likely expect at least 5 or 6 deaths when only raising to 8 weeks. Mortality is very low in these. They are a beautiful bird, too. It's amost a shame to eat them, but they taste so good..."

"I raised about 300 of the Broilers over last summer and they were absolutely wonderful! I processed them between 11 and 14 weeks. The meat was unbelievably tender (and delicious) and they weighed between 6 and 9 pounds! They are great grazers and have much more personality than other chickens that I have come to know. Not only will I never raise anything else, but my neighbors too are becoming converts!"

"We raise JM's colored broilers/Freedom Rangers in chicken tractors (Polyface/Salatin style) on pasture on our farm in Gibsonville, NC. We've done one set of Cornish X as well, but that was the last one you will ever see on our farm. Our family and our customers prefer the slower growing colored broilers. They forage well on pasture and are a much more attractive bird. We have had no issues with dressing out these birds either."

"I have to say what a pleasure to raise. We purchased 100 Freedom Rangers on July 1 and they are so much better than cornish rocks - AKA the "un chicken." Every chick has survived, are growing, and we plan to process 35 this week and let the rest finish our until October. We will be back as customers next year."

"We are MORE than satisfied with our Colored Range Chickens. There is no comparison between these and the Cornish Crosses that we have raised for years. If only we had known about these earlier, we would have rasied these, and not wasted our time on the Cornish. What a change from watching the Cornish sit in the feeder, and die like flies from heat, heart problems, and failed legs. Now we watch these healthy, happy birds enjoy endless roaming like chickens were meant to do! Never again will we raise anything but your birds! Thanks!"