Hi Dave
This thread is so useful! I am planning the same. I have Ixworth hens that are coming into lay and the Sasso Slow Growers (sorry don't know the exact specification but they look exactly like yours) who are 12 weeks now. This morning one of my Sasso cockerels crowed. He is quite chunky, but shows all signs of normal cockerel behaviour (more than the others), so I am thinking he might be a good choice to cross with my Ixworth. Obviously, I am also worried he might not make it and am thinking I might feed him differently and put him together with the Ixworth hens now.
I am also going to try it the other way round, get some Sasso hens to lay and breed with my Ixworth cockerel.
I had all my Sasso free ranging without a pen until a few days ago. Now I think it is time to get some more weight on and was wondering what you feed them to get them table ready? (Sorry if this has been discussed before, I didn't read all 16 pages of theís thread!)
Thanks
Shari
Hi Shari, nice to see you back
I'm pleased you find the thread useful, you should join in more with the crack, we all interested in your table birds
My slow grows are actually Sasso T551 but I just call them Gallic.
At 12 weeks mine were ready for freezer camp but I kept back all 4 hens and 2 of the lightest weight cockerels with good movement which I hope will survive to breed.
I then put them straight on layers pellets which are much less fattening and kept them free ranging to keep them fit.
Like Macgro7 said I also feed the last 2 weeks different but I feed mixed corn bread and baked potatoes.
Put up some pics of your birds would be great to see them