100 Broilers and Fermented Feed Project

[aoxa]

I don't even want to see the feed cost for 99 broilers in 8 weeks. I'm processing those babies as soon as I see 3 lbs.

Can't wait to see what numbers your broiler project will have.

Did you mention the cost per bag of feed yet? I'm curious

 

[Arielle]

Quote: YUP, when right over our heads!!!!

 

[kuntrygirl]

Thank you. I have not let them outside yet but I will do that this weekend. While the plucker is being built, I will be outside as well, so I will gather them up and let them free range. Saturday temps 60 and Sunday temps 65. I know they will be chilly but I have to test out the temps.

If it's sunny, they should be fine  

I'm sure you won't get much done while they are out free ranging for the first time. You'll be a worry wart! 

So do you have plucker plans you want to share? 

Worry wart is right. The littlest things with my animals gets me on edge. I'm surprised I survived this long with animals.

As far as the plans, and I'm not a mechanical person, it will be a copy cat of all of the other plastic pluckers that you see online. We will use a 55 gallon drum plastic barrel. The one that we have has a hard plastic top on it. He will cut the top off. I think he will use that in place of the metal plate.(see internet pic below).

He said that he will buy a motor from Harbor Freight for the actual turning. I ordered the chicken plucker fingers from Amazon a couple days ago. They will be here tomorrow or Saturday. (free shipping) So, it will be built Saturday.
http://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Pluck...id=1389899671&sr=8-1&keywords=plucker+fingers

So, it will look like this. (Internet pic)

He will also build the wooden holder with wheels so that I can move it wherever I need it moved to. (see Internet pic below)

And that's pretty much it for the plucker. It's the same ole plucker that people see online. I'm getting my other things ready that everyone has mentioned. I have the table for working. I have the large pots for the hot water. I have the knives but I have to sharpen them. Now what I do need is the killing cone. I thought about it and I really need to get over my "whimp-iness" (not a word) because there will be times I will have to process a bird and no one will be there. I can't keep calling people over to do the deed for me. I have to stop feeling sorry for the birds and just do it. Sound easy huh?

Am I missing anything else?

 

[kuntrygirl]

I don't even want to see the feed cost for 99 broilers in 8 weeks. I'm processing those babies as soon as I see 3 lbs.


Can't wait to see what numbers your broiler project will have.

Did you mention the cost per bag of feed yet? I'm curious  

As far as the cost of the bags of feed, someone bought me the feed and did not tell me how much it costs. I'm still waiting for them to tell me. As soon as I find out, I will let you all know.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: I would find out what the standard is , say 10 birds per nipple, then double the nipple count.


100/10 = 10
x2 = 20


25 nipples gives 4 chicks per nipple, also need to consider a bit of spacing between such that the bird can easily access water.

I've seen set ups here on BYC with feed in a trough in the middle, with waters against 2 walls.



* * * * * * * * * water


=========================feed


* * * * * * * * * water

 

[kuntrygirl]

 

not too late. you will need more than  normal-- these bird drink more than other birds. I do think a wet mash is helpful w/ cornish because of the greater need for water.


I already had chicks brooding when I bought the nipples-- took  a while before I was comfotable the  had figured it out.  I did not remove the original waterer and they used both. 

Well, that brings up another issue. I have no idea how many nipples I would need for 100 broilers. :/

I would find out what the standard is , say 10 birds per nipple, then double the nipple count. 


100/10 = 10
 x20=  20


25 nipples gives 4 chicks per nipple, also need to consider a bit of spacing between such that the bird can easily access  water. 

I've seen set ups here on BYC with feed in a trough in the middle, with waters  against 2 walls. 



*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *  water


=========================feed


*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     * water

You're right. I do need to do that. Sounds like I have my work cut out for me.

 

[Arielle]

Killing cones--- I don't use them but I have seen Beekissed post hers. Use a clox bleach bottle. Cut the top off including 1/2 the handle ; and cut out the bottom and nail to a tree. Hang up a few of these to process a few at a time. She posted pic recently so I'm sure you can track down the post in her history.

 

[BCMaraniac]

Killing cones--- I don't use them but I have seen Beekissed post hers. Use a clox bleach bottle. Cut the top off including 1/2 the handle ; and cut out the bottom and nail to a tree. Hang up a few of these to process a few at a time. She posted pic recently so I'm sure you can track down the post in her history.

It takes a 2 gallon bleach bottle.

 

[Beekissed]

Killing cones--- I don't use them but I have seen Beekissed post hers. Use a clox bleach bottle. Cut the top off including 1/2 the handle ; and cut out the bottom and nail to a tree. Hang up a few of these to process a few at a time. She posted pic recently so I'm sure you can track down the post in her history.

Ask and you shall receive! A 2 gal. bleach jug that is nice and tall, not short and fat, is the ticket for the larger CX birds and also fits well for the smallest silkie bird.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Killing cones--- I don't use them but I have seen Beekissed post hers. Use a clox bleach bottle. Cut the top off including 1/2 the handle ; and cut out the bottom and nail to a tree. Hang up a few of these to process a few at a time. She posted pic recently so I'm sure you can track down the post in her history.

Ask and you shall receive! A 2 gal. bleach jug that is nice and tall, not short and fat, is the ticket for the larger CX birds and also fits well for the smallest silkie bird.

Perfect Tutorial !!!! Thank you for sharing. Looks easy to do but I'm scared.