Red Ranger

Name: Red Ranger
Brand: Stumphouse Farms
Price: 3.2 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

Available: In stock
Inventory on the way

$3.20 Local taxes included (where applicable)

Red Ranger chickens are the premium alternative to standard Cornish Cross broilers, offering superior flavor and texture for growers who prioritize quality over speed.

Stumphouse Farms ships these exceptional meat birds to all 48 states from our Anderson, South Carolina, hatchery. Red Rangers reach processing weight in 9-11 weeks (vs. 8-9 weeks for Cornish Cross), producing a 5-6-pound bird with darker, more flavorful meat that customers prefer.

Developed for the pastured poultry market, Red Rangers are active foragers with stronger legs and better health than fast-growing Cornish Cross. These robust broiler chickens thrive in free-range systems where they can supplement feed with grass and insects, resulting in meat with richer flavor and firmer texture. Many growers raising chickens for farmers' markets, restaurants, or direct sales choose Red Rangers because customers are willing to pay premium prices for their superior eating quality.

Quantity

Mix and match for 6 chick minimum order

Shipping available throughout the US

Local pick-up available at checkout

For Orders of 500+ please call (864) 658-4209

Red Rangers are a premium broiler chicken breed developed specifically for pastured poultry production and direct-market growers. Unlike industrial Cornish Cross, Red Rangers were bred to balance growth rate with bird health, foraging ability, and meat quality. The result is a slower-growing but superior meat bird that thrives in free-range systems.

Physical Characteristics: Red Rangers are medium to large-sized meat chickens with reddish-brown plumage and yellow skin. They have a more natural build than Cornish Cross, with stronger legs, more active behavior, and better overall health. Mature Red Rangers process at 5-6 pounds dressed weight, comparable to Cornish Cross but with a firmer, more muscular body.

Growth Rate & Processing: Red Ranger broilers reach processing weight in 9-11 weeks, about 1-2 weeks slower than Cornish Cross. This slower growth rate allows for better muscle development and reduces the leg and heart problems common in fast-growing broilers. Most growers process Red Rangers at 9-11 weeks for a 5-6 pound dressed bird with excellent meat quality.

Foraging Ability: Unlike Cornish Cross, Red Rangers are active foragers that thrive in pastured systems. They move well on grass, seek out insects and vegetation, and tolerate heat better than standard broilers. This foraging ability reduces feed costs for free-range operations and improves meat flavor through a varied diet.

Meat Quality: Red Ranger meat is darker, more flavorful, and firmer than Cornish Cross. The breast meat is less dominant, with a better balance between breast, thigh, and leg meat, similar to that of heritage chickens. Chefs and direct-market customers often prefer Red Rangers for their superior taste and texture.

Purpose: Red Rangers are ideal for pastured poultry operations, homesteaders raising their own meat, and growers selling premium chicken to discriminating customers. They're the preferred choice for farmers' markets, farm-to-table restaurants, and direct sales, where customers understand and value the quality difference.

When you order Red Ranger chicks from Stumphouse Farms' Anderson County hatchery, you're getting quality meat birds bred for pastured production and superior eating quality. These chickens excel in free-range systems and produce the premium-quality meat that today's conscious consumers seek.

Frequently Asked Questions About Red Ranger Chickens

Red Rangers take 9-11 weeks to reach processing weight, compared to 8-9 weeks for Cornish Cross. Red Rangers are more active, healthier, better foragers, and produce darker, more flavorful meat. Cornish Cross grow faster and have larger breasts, but often have leg problems and don't forage well. Choose Red Rangers for quality and free-range systems, Cornish Cross for maximum efficiency.

Red Ranger chickens reach processing weight in 9-11 weeks. Most growers process at 10 weeks for a 5-6 pound dressed bird. You can grow them longer for larger roasters, but 9-11 weeks provides optimal meat quality and feed efficiency.

Yes! Red Rangers are specifically bred for pastured poultry production. They're active foragers with strong legs who thrive on grass, seeking insects and vegetation to supplement their feed. This foraging ability is a major advantage over Cornish Cross, which don't move well on pasture.

Most people prefer Red Ranger meat for its richer flavor and firmer texture. The meat is darker (similar to heritage chickens), less watery, and has better flavor from their varied diet and slower growth. Cornish Cross meat is milder and more tender, but can be bland. For premium direct sales, Red Rangers command higher prices.

Red Rangers consume approximately 12-15 pounds of feed from hatch to processing at 10-11 weeks. They have better feed conversion than heritage breed,s but slightly worse than Cornish Cross. In free-range systems, they offset some feed cost by foraging, reducing your overall feed bill.

Yes, Red Rangers have fewer health problems than Cornish Cross. Their slower growth rate reduces leg issues, heart problems, and sudden death common in fast-growing broilers. They tolerate heat better, are more active, and generally have stronger constitutions.

Yes, but Red Rangers perform best with outdoor access. They're more active than Cornish Cross and benefit from space to move and forage. If raised in confinement, provide more space per bird and expect slightly slower growth than birds with pasture access.