2014 - 194 3/4lbs in the freezer

[Peruvian]

We ordered 40 CX delivered in April and processed them today. We lost one in the brooder and another in the 5th week.

Today was processing day.

No action shots but here's our outdoor abbitoir.

Killing cones.

Scalder, plucker, processing station.

8 weeks and 700 lbs of feed. Avg weight was 5 1/8th lb. conversion was 3.6 lb. a successful year.

 

[CityFarmer202]

Awesome!! I raised 7 CX and we processed 2 a couple weeks ago (our first time butchering) and ate them today for lunch. I must say, a bird you butcher and raise on your farm tastes 100x better than store bought chicken. It toke me and my dad 3 hours to do 2...i can't even imagine doing 40 in a day!!

 

[Peruvian]

This is our 6th year raising broilers for our own consumption and to barter with friends. I raise them on pasture in a tractor I built back then and we keep a 160' electro-net around them due to many predators in our area. Brooder lights, fence, tractor & brooder build, plucker build, waterers, etc. all have been amortized at this point but actually have mostly held their value over the years.

Costs for this year:

$.85 shipped per chick x 40 = $34
$29.50/100 lbs of non-certified organic feed x 7 = $206.05
$22 x 2 tarps to cover tractor. These last 2-3 years so I'll consider $22 for this year
$12.50 estimated electricity while in brooder (likely way over estimated)

2014 Total: $275
Divided by 194.75 lbs

Per lb costs - $1.41

Birds take less than 10 minutes per day to feed and move, so over 56 days I estimate just over 9 hrs of work.

Organic, pastured whole chickens sell for $4.50/lb at the local farmer's market so I'm pleased with our returns.

 

[CityFarmer202]

Thats awesome!!! How do you keep them till you butcher them??

 

[carolb5]

Wow, excellent do on the birds!!!!!!!!!. Where do you order your chicks from? That is a great price.

Thanks, Carol

 

[Peruvian]

CityFarmer202 - They are in a 2'x8' brooder in the garage for the first 3 weeks until they feather out. Then they live in the 'hoop coop' that I move around inside the electro-net daily. I move the electro-net every 2 weeks or so.

carolb5 - I order from Burr Farm in CT. I'm not sure if they get drop shipped from a larger hatchery but they have always been priced very fairly.

 

[CityFarmer202]

Thanks!!