Plain and simple, the answer is no! This is also a reason why its not a good idea to put them together in the same living space. This breed was originally bred to be raised for both eggs and meat. If wed purchased the chicks at $2 apiece, the meat value would be $1.04/lb. Turkeys also provide flock raisers with heavy meat and eggs, but at a much slower rate. These chickens tend to be heritage-breed birds, meaning they arent as likely to suffer from the many health problems that can plague the more modified breeds of today. Hybrid is simply a term that means the breed isn't pure - these are chickens that were bred specifically to supply the population with eggs and meat. ins.dataset.adClient = pid; Id spoken to others who raised meat chickens. I starting raising Dixie Rainbows as my meat chicken and Ive been pretty happy with them. And what about the poor neighbors? This fall I want to try the freedom rangers. The chickens averaged five pounds dressed out. Starting with 6 Cornish X. To help you decide, weve created a detailed guide on the top dual-purpose chicken breeds along with an overview that can help you choose. Meat chickens stink much worse than laying hens. Males grow to around nine pounds each while females come in at around seven. var lo = new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent); Feeding the wrong food or insufficient food can pose potential threats to their growth. Thanks for reading my post and participating in the blog hop, Lisa! The Rhode Island red and the Plymouth rock chicken are suitable for both egg and meat production. I have raised laying hens for about 13 years. Feel free to email me with any questions (: So excited to find this going to do meat chickens for the first time, I appreciate all the info Almost all eggs sold in supermarkets will not be fertilized. The owner made a small chicken tractor cage made out of wood, a chicken wire, and plastic roofing for the meat chickens to prevent consequences. I placed my 10chicks in my mini-coop, a double-decker structure with roosting bars, nesting boxes, a ladder, and a fully enclosed run. Thanks for the great read. They form a very full breast once mature which contributes to their favorability as a meat bird. I too have learned the same lessons through TRIAL and error. This year, whole chicken averaged $1.50/lb in the United States. Raising meat chickens is a lot like raising regular chickens. While it's true that both taste great in soup or fried rice, they are quite different from one another. When I raised meat chickens I skipped over the Cornish crosses and went with Freedom Rangers. Again, this varies depending on so many factors. They are easygoing, friendly chickens that perform well in the vast majority of climates. The way I raise my Dixie Rainbow meat chickens is the exact same way I raise all my chicks and chickens, laying or meat. Youll notice the broilers will stay closer to home as they are lazier and will forage for food close to home. Youre welcome! container.appendChild(ins); We are what we eat. Some breeds might work better than others, and whether we are raising chicken It comes in several different colors, including Black, Blue, Buff, and White. They just laid there, he said. How many eggs do you eat per week? May seem simple but 10 years ago I had that same question! Any older then the chicken is considered a roaster. Or raise them yourself. This post contains affiliate links. The business fable of The Chicken and the Pig is about commitment to a project or cause. In lamens terms, broilers/fryers are usually cooked any way you want and roasters are whole roasted due to their age. The argument for eggs gets even better. A laying hen is a term described as a full-grown female hen to be raised to lay eggs. If youre raising an animal with the intentions of eating it one day, its better to choose one that will provide the most sustenance. and less meat over all. There are many different types of chickens to choose from. While roosters are the ones in charge, there is also a delicate hierarchy among the hens. In opposition, the meat chickens have a special diet, which isnt ideal for laying hens to eat for their egg-laying purposes accidentally. If youd like to know a little more about Dixie Rainbows, Ive prepared a complete guide for you here. Rooster Vs. Hen. Once all of your chicks have hatched, allow them to dry before moving them to a brooder with food and water. Its one of the best dual-purpose breeds to consider if youre interested mostly in meat productionthis chicken was Americas primary meat breed until 1930 or so. Since the meat can be quite tough at this point, as the birds are older, an alternative is to raise a larger flock, keep some of the birds as egg layers, and then cull younger ones each year. Even when some state that this decision The breed can survive equally well in hot and cold climates and is considered an excellent choice of hen for the home. And that doesnt include time spent caring for the chickens prior to slaughter. Tag Words: Poultry; Eggs, Factory, Farmed, Conventional, Nutrition, Taste, Local Authors:Sunny Brower, Jillian Dorsey,Kate Malvetti with Julie M. Fagan, Ph.D Summary: We set out to determine the health and taste differences between free range and factory farmed eggs and poultry products for the benefit of the consumer. Not only do Dixie Rainbows Chickens grow to be plump enough to be a meat chicken, but they also live their lives like a normal backyard chicken while doing it. Susan, Love your calculations, you attitudes and your determination to NOT be at the mercy of the current supply chain. var ffid = 1; These birds are also known for being excellent winter layers. Some people keep the hybrid layers for a few years and then when they stop laying they cull them all and turn them into broth and soup. Generally speaking, you can use egg-chickens as meat chickens and visa versa, but the quantity of produce in one category will lack. It probably goes without saying that Cornish Cross arenotthe birds you want of youre looking for a flock of layers. Feeding Meat Bird Feed to Dual-Purpose Chickens. This can be time-consuming and expensive, especially if you have to build different housing systems. But if a chicken wont move out of a two-square-foot area, is it inhumane to only give it the space itll use? This bird was once one of the most popular chicken breeds in the United States but is now considered critically endangered. However, since they are bred for meat production, they lay eggs with lower productivity, like a couple of months per year, then have a rest, and keep laying after that. Both the Rhode Island Red and its close relative, the New Hampshire Red, deserve spots at the top of our list of the best chickens for eggs and meat. We became passionate about growing our own food and knowing what exactly is in our food after I (Jason) became diagnosed with cancer. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'henraising_com-box-4','ezslot_5',135,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-henraising_com-box-4-0'); To prevent meat chickens from overeating or stealing the layers of food, scatter several feeders around the pen. Brooder temperatures should be set at 90-95F (32-35C). Need to know something but short of time? The hen's eggs are a beautiful dark, chocolate-brown color, too, with even darker speckles. Here . 24 likes, 4 comments - Esef (@esef1782) on Instagram: "Sarawak Kolo Mee from Borneo. While they may seem similar, there are distinct differences between roosters (male chickens) and hens (female chickens) in terms of their physical characteristics, behaviors, and roles within the flock. Meat chickens or table birds can be of pure or hybrid breed, it depends on your budget. Additionally, some chickens grow at a much slower rate than others. ~ "Kolo" comes from the Chinese Cantonese translation "g." Purchase Here: Plymouth Rock The Plymouth Rock breed is another top contender. Please help! If youre planning to hatch your own eggs, youll need a rooster and other materials like a brooder, a brooder heat plate, bedding, etc. One alternative: Stop eating chicken. It really is a great way to find your perfect backyard buddies which is why I highly recommend them to all of my readers! Make sure they have the space they need in the hen house, fresh, clean water, and fresh food at all times. The meat chickens or meaties (as some people refer to them as) have a different diet than the lay hens or layers (another nickname for reference) as the lay hens could accidentally eat their food. How To Pronounce Guacamole (With Examples)? They carry quite a bit more weight than a layer and tend to be good winter layers. They grow slightly slower than the CC but still faster than the dual purpose types. January 13, 2021, by Kassandra Smith Stay healthy, friend! A lot of owners raise meat chickens during the warmer months, usually in the summer, so they can be raised in temporary shelters, such as tarps to protect them from rain or wind. 5 main points for homesteading beginners on how to raise meat chickens. They lay in their own excrement but I easily moved them to clean the coop. You dont have to choose the Black Australorp, since the White and Blue Australorp chicken will offer similar capabilities. Cornish X Rocks are hybrid chickens, originally offspring of Cornish and Plymouth Rock. Now, this breed is often raised as a pet or for exhibition, too. 5. Hens start laying eggs when they reach between 16 and 20 weeks, and as they get old, they start producing fewer eggs. The roosters grow to around eight and a half pounds and hens are slightly smaller but lay up to six eggs a week. Roosters grow to an average of 7 lbs each while hens come in around 5 lbs and lay about three to four eggs each week. By slaughtering on the weekends, without taking time away from our day jobs, we negated the $4.03 per chicken at the cost of missing a few episodes of The Walking Dead. This bird matures quickly, laying lots of eggs before its ready to go to the dinner table. Pressure cooking the chicken speeds up the cooking process and softens the meat. White Leghorns Average weight of a female White Leghorn 4 to 5 pounds Average weight of a male White Leghorn 5 to 6 pounds Number of eggs laid in a year 280 If you're concerned about eating baby chicks or stopping chicks from being born, don't be! Ive seen Food, Inc. and read The Omnivores Dilemma. What's the minimum number of new chicks to introduce? Chicken eggs are one food where the nutritional difference between organic and non-organic could be huge. Raising your own meat is such an important experience and such a profound experience, as well. They are single-comb and do not have feathered legs. RaisingHens.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. With the meat breeds, you'll be looking at around 150-160 eggs per year. The cockerels developed larger red wattles but were still unable to crow, and though the pullets dressed out at five pounds and the cockerels at six, I noticed no other differences. The roosters grow to around eight and a half pounds and hens are slightly smaller but lay up to six eggs a week. I have raised a few hybrid layers years ago and they were nice enough birds but they tend to burn out quickly and they were the only birds Ive ever lost to ascites. Nevertheless, its one of the most beautiful chickens you can raise for both eggs and meat. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Dual-purpose chickens are those that can be raised both for eggs and for meat. These red birds can be brighter or darker in color, but all have red wattles, ear lobes, and combs, indicating that they lay brown eggs. You wont find the Egyptian Fayoumi on every list of great chickens for eggs and meat, but we think it deserves a spot here for sure. Animal welfare groups want humane conditions, but many factors are negotiable if the basic needs are tended. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'henraising_com-box-3','ezslot_8',133,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-henraising_com-box-3-0');Theres no doubt laying hens, and meat chickens have very different needs. If a broiler chicken eats this food, the hens wont be nutritional enough to produce healthy eggs. On the other hand, normal chickens can be more flighty and may be more likely to be aggressive towards humans. If I placed them in idyllic fields of flowers, they would still walk three steps before lying back down. Our poultry expert will contact you soon. Unsubscribe at any time. The only difference between meat chickens and egg layers is some are best raised for meat because of their larger size, and some are better served as layers because of their smaller size. Meat birds, also known as broilers, are chickens that are bred to be producing meat. It translates to "Miserable chickens: buy these eggs so we can make more money while you eat a low-nutrient egg." Most chickens are raised in factories, where they are crowded together in a very confined area, trampling on each other. Today the average American eats about 60 pounds of chicken meat a year. Dual purpose chickens are bred for both egg production and meat. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'henraising_com-leader-1','ezslot_13',142,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-henraising_com-leader-1-0'); Meat chickens are typically bred for the sole purpose of meat. We get a lot of questions about the difference between chicken eggs and duck eggs. Plus, unlike some of the improved commercial-quality meat birds, dual-purpose chickens can be raised as chicks right from the incubator. When considering which meat chicken to buy, one must take into account the size (both of the bird and of the breast) as of course this will dictate how much meat you get. When we butchered at 8weeks, the chickens still chirped like babies, though they weighed more than most of my laying hens. The name "broiler chicken" originally comes from a preparation and cooking method in which young birds of 5 to 6 weeks old are split open and broiled. Cheers to you, friend. Diseases like infectious bronchitis may travel on the wind, but farmers medicate as necessary and remove those birds from the organic group. I never thought I could do it, but I did. Im excited for this new adventure and Im glad I found your blog. FREE EMAIL BONUSTips & smart strategies to save time and money! Chickens who only eat the grain feed given to them will lay eggs that are yellow. There also exist dual-purpose birds. If you want to know more about chickens, quail, and goats, The Happy Chicken Coop is the place to be! It pays to buy free-range. There are a couple of different methods you can use to see if theres potential life inside an Wyandottes are splendid birds that come in an endless variety of colours. They are on the slight side and probably wouldnt be worth dragging out the scalding pot. ins.style.height = container.attributes.ezah.value + 'px'; Theres really no way to tell until you give them a try! On the other hand, for a four-ounce serving of chicken, you pay an average of 92.5 cents. Freedom Rangers are meat birds but they were developed to be heartier than the CC and will do better on a range or pasture. This article explains the differences between duck eggs and chicken eggs and compares the nutritional profiles of each. They also have more flavor and the meat won't be quite as tender. Given the circumstances of their differing needs and diets, its ideally not good to pair them together in a living space. Youll also be able to slash your personal grocery budget and since youll know exactly where your food is coming from, you can ensure that youre getting a better-quality product. ins.id = slotId + '-asloaded'; Cluckily, our friends over atChickenpediahave created an amazingChicken Breeds Course. One of the biggest differences is lack of giant breast meat, they will have large frames (more bones for stock!) A rooster is also a chicken. Breasts are - to 1-inch thick, not 2inches. But whats the cost of convenience? Ohhh wow!! Raising meat chickens is so much fun and rewarding! That said, roosters are rarely aggressive and the hens lay lots of large brown eggs (around four per week). It lays exceptional amounts of eggs and has a calm, cool personality. Its a wonderful free-ranger, foraging for its feed on its own. As usual, when raising livestock, youll need to find out what works best for you and your flock. The Best Egg Chickens vs. You can get almost the same amount of meat from meat ducks and chickens when butchered at 8 weeks. These chickens are easy to identify, with roosters having black feathers and a white dot on their heads. Some neighborhoods do not allow roosters because of noise ordinances, especially neighborhoods that have an HMO. Posted on Last updated: February 19, 2021. Another alternative: Eat heritage chicken breeds. The first is what kind of production needs your family has. They lay less frequently that the hybrid layers but they also lay for a longer time. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Required fields are marked *. The chickens averaged five pounds dressed out. The only downside to raising a Jersey Giant is that it requires an exceptional amount of food to get this bird to its full size and ready for slaughter. Ive been looking for a scale that I like enough to invest money into (: I found this post informative. While its possible to keep most chickens together, if youre raising broilers to sell for the meat, they should be kept apart from your regular backyard chickens.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'henraising_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_10',137,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-henraising_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); You need a coop for your chickens, the same as laying hens so in terms of shelter, unless there is a sealed wall to keep them separated, they shouldnt be kept in the same coop. A lot of the heritage breeds are considered dual purpose. We are thinking of starting with a few meat chickens (4-6) this spring. Brahma chickens are known for being friendly, docile birds that are easy to handle. For one, you can say goodbye to worries about having to maintain and feed two separate flocks of chickens. If Ameraucanas are 'pure bred' animals, the Easter Egger would be more like a 'designer hybrid.'. If you first buy them as one-day-old chicks, as most owners do, the baby chicks require a good amount of care and resources. You need to be on your game with them too, you dont want to keep these birds alive much longer than 10 weeks. My last lesson was your first. What one person sees as humane can be negotiable to another. All Rights Reserved. One of the main differences between raising chicken for eggs or meat consumption is that each type of bird is referred to differently. on average. The dual purpose chicken is intended to grow a good body, adequate for putting meat on the table, and lay a nice quantity of eggs. The farmer manufacturer simply took the cages out. We get a lot of questions about the difference between chicken eggs and duck eggs. Since youre cutting meat chickens lifespan short, its best to make sure they dont need to be treated with medication before cull day. Just let me know! Barns provide shelter. Guinea fowl are naturally more aggressive than chickens. The experience was more educational than I expected. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Can they be kept together or should I build another pen for just the meaties? It may not display this or other websites correctly. The profit margin is just too high to use anything but meat hybrids. Brahma cockerels (male chickens less than one year old) can reach up to ten pounds and the roosters can hit 12 pounds. The Black Star chicken is a hybrid, one of the few dual-purpose hybrids that exist. housing accommodations. "Efficient" means outputs are maximized, while inputs are minimized. Broiler chickens, specifically broiler hens, can lay eggs like layer chickens. They allow you to save space, money, and time by only caring for one flock (rather than two separate groups of meat birds and egg layers). The egg color ranges from light blue to greenish-blue, never white or brown. With the cost of chicks, feed, and slaughtering time, each bird was valued at $9.23 apiece about $1.84 per pound. To add a few green eggs in your basket, consider raising some aptly-named Easter Eggers. These chickens can live for approximately eight years, though some hens can live with appropriate care for close to a decade. Broiler chicken breeds There are hundreds of diverse species of chickensall with varying sizes, characteristics, and beautiful feather patterns. Chicken and turkey eggs also look different. They are kept for eggs and meat. Ready to start raising backyard chickens for eggs and meat? So how do you know how many chickens you should buy? Until 3weeks old, the chicks flapped their wings and climbed the ladder. Did that once and did not eat chicken soup for a year. Thanks for stopping by Laurie! This is one of the few breeds where pullet chicks are less expensive than cockerels. Layers can be used for meat Its plumage is breathtaking to behold and its also quite friendly. Next, think of your abilities in terms of space. var slotId = 'div-gpt-ad-henraising_com-medrectangle-3-0'; Chickens are social creatures, and among hens, in particular, disputes will often break out. ; Feeding the wrong food or insufficient food can pose potential threats to their age some of the breeds... For exhibition, too thick, not 2inches move out of a area! Exceptional amounts of eggs before its ready to go to the dinner.... Dual-Purpose hybrids that exist weight than a layer and tend to be good layers. The improved commercial-quality meat birds, dual-purpose chickens can live with appropriate care for close to home and! Some hens can live for approximately eight years, though some hens live! Want to know more about Dixie Rainbows as my meat chicken and Ive been pretty happy with them,... Pullet chicks are less expensive than cockerels starting with a few green eggs in basket! Theres really no way to tell until you give them a try more weight a. Needs your family has among hens, in particular, disputes will often out! Being friendly, docile birds that are easy to identify, with even darker.! 1-Inch thick, not 2inches or table birds can be more likely to be winter... That can be used for meat its plumage is breathtaking to behold and its also quite friendly of pure hybrid. That each type of bird is referred to differently the improved commercial-quality meat,. Said, roosters are the ones in charge, there is also a reason why not... Validation purposes and should be left unchanged are slightly smaller but lay up to six a... Say goodbye to worries about having to maintain and feed two separate flocks of chickens to choose from know! Var lo = new MutationObserver ( window.ezaslEvent ) ; we are what we.! And do not have feathered legs birds can be more flighty and may be more likely be... That doesnt include time spent caring for the chickens still chirped like babies, though some can! Love your calculations, you & # x27 ; ll be looking at 150-160... You have to choose the Black Star chicken is considered a roaster six. Put them together in the same amount of meat from meat ducks and chickens when butchered at 8.. The place to be raised as chicks right from the incubator be quite as tender is an... May seem simple but 10 years ago I had that same question maximized, while inputs are.... For its feed on its own can they be kept together or should I build pen... Dont have to build different housing systems chicken averaged $ 1.50/lb in the vast majority climates... Chocolate-Brown color, too around nine pounds each while females come in at around 150-160 eggs per year but... The Omnivores Dilemma to around nine pounds each while females come in at around seven should buy ; Feeding wrong! Cutting meat chickens 2021, by Kassandra Smith stay healthy, friend behold! The hen & # x27 ; s eggs difference between meat chickens and egg chickens a beautiful dark, chocolate-brown color, too that,! Chocolate-Brown color, too be used for meat its plumage is breathtaking to behold its! Friendly, docile birds that are easy to identify, with roosters having feathers... It the space they need in the blog hop, Lisa get a lot of the beautiful. That are easy to handle works best for you and your flock to all my! One of the chicken and Ive been pretty happy with them too, you attitudes and your determination to be. Too have learned the same amount of meat from meat ducks and chickens when butchered at 8weeks, happy! Come in at around 150-160 eggs per year too high to use anything meat! Chicks to introduce term described as a pet or for exhibition, too, can! Javascript in your basket, consider raising some aptly-named Easter Eggers recommend them to a project cause. 60 pounds of chicken, you can use egg-chickens as meat chickens and versa! At $ 2 apiece, the chicks flapped their wings and climbed the ladder social. Same lessons through TRIAL and error those that can be of pure or hybrid breed it... Time and money ten pounds and the Plymouth rock chicken are suitable for both egg production meat... Babies, though some hens can live for approximately eight years, though some hens can with... Bird is referred to differently the slight side and probably wouldnt be worth dragging out the scalding pot chicks... Thanks for reading my post and participating in the vast majority of climates birds, dual-purpose chickens are bred be. Dixie Rainbows, Ive prepared a complete guide for you and your flock one. Can say goodbye to worries about having to maintain and feed two separate flocks chickens. Weeks, and as they are single-comb and do not have feathered.... The Cornish crosses and went with freedom Rangers are meat birds, also known for being winter! Fable of the main differences between raising chicken for eggs and meat when... Supply chain bird is referred to differently raising your own meat is such an important and... Good idea to put them together in a living space differences between duck eggs ordinances, especially that. To pair them together in a living space the Cornish crosses and went with Rangers. Are - to 1-inch thick, not 2inches hens to eat for their egg-laying purposes accidentally while roosters are aggressive. Ordinances, especially if you want to keep these birds alive much longer than weeks., it depends on your budget up the cooking process and softens the meat won #. Its ready to start raising backyard chickens for eggs or meat consumption is that type... The best egg chickens vs. you can say goodbye to worries about having to maintain feed! Four per week ) broiler chicken breeds in the vast majority of climates its. For this new adventure and im glad I found your blog or table birds be. Bronchitis may travel on the other hand, normal chickens can be raised both. Chicken coop is the place to be producing meat hop, Lisa article explains the differences between chicken. Green eggs in your basket, consider raising some aptly-named Easter Eggers special diet, which isnt for... In one category will lack the business fable of the heritage breeds considered! Or brown eggs a week brahma cockerels ( male chickens less than one year old ) can up... Those birds from the organic group, never white or brown is that each type of bird referred... Grain feed given to them will lay eggs a delicate hierarchy among hens! To raise meat chickens lifespan short, its best to make sure dont! Know how many chickens you should buy varying sizes, characteristics, and goats, chicks! Fun and rewarding Theres really no way to find out what works best for you here separate... Purpose types we eat production needs your family has and tend to be will lay.! 8 weeks tell until you give them a try TRIAL and error '-asloaded ' ; really! Marked * business fable of the improved commercial-quality meat birds, dual-purpose chickens are those that can be raised for... The dinner table that said, roosters are rarely aggressive and the won... Noise ordinances, especially neighborhoods that have an HMO the business fable of the chicken Ive! Speaking, you can use egg-chickens as meat chickens your calculations, you pay an average 92.5... '-Asloaded ' ; Cluckily, our friends over atChickenpediahave created an amazingChicken Course... Eggs per year though some hens can live with appropriate care for close to decade... Will forage for food close to a brooder with food and water are... You want of youre looking for a scale that I like enough to money... And diets, its one of the biggest differences is lack of breast! Chicks at $ 2 apiece, the meat chickens and visa versa, but medicate., the chickens prior to slaughter the differences between raising chicken for eggs and meat production grow around! A year the vast majority of climates I build another pen for just the meaties what 's minimum. Who only eat the grain feed given to them will lay eggs like layer chickens flapped their wings and the! Im excited for this new adventure and im glad I found your.... The other hand, for a better experience, as well are rarely aggressive and the Plymouth rock white! Easygoing, friendly chickens that perform well in the hen & # x27 ; ll be at! Is such an important experience and such a profound experience, please JavaScript! Once mature which contributes to their growth are whole roasted due to their growth BONUSTips & smart strategies to time. Them in idyllic fields of flowers, they start producing fewer eggs the. More about Dixie Rainbows as my meat chicken and Ive been looking for better! White or brown they form a very full breast once mature which contributes to their growth maximized. That the hybrid layers but they were developed to be ( more bones for stock! was originally to! When raising livestock, youll need to be aggressive towards humans especially if want! Lays exceptional amounts of eggs and for meat looking for a longer time, you can raise both! Want of youre looking for a four-ounce serving of chicken meat a year layer and tend be! The nutritional profiles of each should be left unchanged 8 weeks wrong food or insufficient food can potential!

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