Re: When to remove from brooder

"Mike Brickley" <mNObrickleySPAM@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> composed these thoughts
and posted them news:4TJ9g.486$921.417@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx:

Cornish x Rock come in two varieties. A fast grow (butchering at 8
weeks) and a slow grow (12 weeks). At 5 weeks there should be visible
feather development if not totally feathered. I've used both and like
the fast grow variety better. With either of these birds its best to
feed twice a day , NO FREE CHOICE. Feed enough that the food is gone
in 30 minutes, feed again at night. The problem is the birds will
grow so fast that heart attacks happen. By limiting the amount of
food so they do not gorge themselves you can control the death rate.
As they get bigger, over 2 lbs this becomes more important. I
butchered at 8 weeks with 3-5lbs dressed weight. However; I've also
used cracked corn after 8 weeks to whiten the meat some and it adds
some flavor, butchering at 12 weeks fast grow XRocks will dress out at
7-9lbs. Average cost has been $1.29 (us) per pound including the cost
of the chicks, bedding and feed.

How does commercial growers get the price so low? Buying feed per
ton not per bag.

As long as the birds are growing, feathers isn't a real problem, they
won't be around long. If you do have multiple 200 sq/ft areas then
try splitting the group apart 50/50. You won't have as many
defecating in one area and it has a chance to dry. There should be
plenty of fresh air, decaying poo can build up some noxious gas in
large quantities.

Have you ever butchered before ?
A link to some information.
http://www.themodernhomestead.us/poultry/butcher_ready.html

" Jill" <news@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:446725a1$0$9273$ed2619ec@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"diddy" <diddy@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message

Thanks Jill, Most helpful, as always. They are currently in a 200
square foor area. But the mess is where they all hover around the
light.There are drier areas for them to get to, i guess i could just
move the light.

try raising it?

These table birds aren't growing feathers.

Oh :~((((
this is not good

I have 5 other 200 square foot
areas where I can rotate them. I just haven't. I guess i need to.
The amount of food and water they use is shocking.

What weights are they?
Maybe someone who is familiar with their development would have more
useful things to add with more info?

I have just reached
the breakpoint at which i can buy them as cheaply as i can raise
them. How do commercial raisers sell them cheaper than what you can
feed them for?

Economies of scale !

I know they use a premix of supplements and their own corn. I have
our own corn, but have been using a commercial broiler feed, because
it was recommended. i was afraid of slipped tendons on these heavy
meat birds.

I went to commercial feed for the layers, and this has worked out
well. i was using a premix with our own corn. But even our own corn
has value, and the wastage compared to crumbles was costly. so i
went entirely to crumbles with excellent results, and easier
cleanup. I thought the crumbles route for the table birds would also
be a great idea, but table birds simply are not cost effective. I'm
committed now, but this is not something i will do again.

We have never done commercial table birds - but its interesting stuff


I remember when these layers were growing and i was shocked at the
cost of raising them. now that they ARE grown, their needs have
leveled off and their production is so good, that I can keep the
layers and sell eggs to offset the cost of keeping the chickens.

And then there is the value of the simple pleasure they give you
being chooks !!!

--

regards
Jill Bowis

Pure bred utility chickens and ducks
Housing; Equipment, Books, Videos, Gifts
Herbaceous; Herb and Alpine nursery
Working Holidays in Scotland
http://www.kintaline.co.uk






Also Very helpful, and thank you. I will start feeding twice a day. How
much do you feed at one time? because the birds are always encircling the
feeder.
.

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