5 wks and just processed

[cindybic]

Hi,
I have just had my cornish-x chickens processed at 5 weeks. I had 13 chickens, they averaged 4.14 lbs processed, at a average cost of $2.08 per lbs. This included 3 bags of 20% flock raiser, processing fee of $2.50 per bird, cost of bird $1.75, cost of shavings. I had no problems with feet, did use broiler booster all the way till processing, I think this helped with feet. This is my first time doing meat chickens so I do have a question, am I suppose to let them rest for 3 or 4 days before I freeze them or eat them, or are they tender and ready to eat right away. If the meat is good we plan on getting 20 more to raise and have processed. That will keep us for a year, I hope.
This is such a great group!
Thanks,
Cindybic

 

[bigredfeather]

I always let mine rest 3-4 days in the fridge or on ice. It does make a difference IMHO.

 

[halo]

4 pounds processed at 5 weeks? are you sure about that?? That sure seems extraordinary.

 

[cindybic]

I got them at my local feed store,I am in Northern California. I got them on a Saturday and they got them on Thursday, so you might be right and they are closer to 6 weeks old.There were 7 over 4 lbs. and 6 under 4 lbs. I wt. each one on a new kitchen scale before I bagged them. They did grow faster than I thought they would, but this is my first time with meat chickens, so I did not know what to expect.

Thank you for letting me know about letting them rest for 3 or 4 days before eating or freezing!

 

[bigredfeather]

Quote:
If you feed a high protein feed unrestricted, that weight is easily achieved. Big industry can get them bigger than that in that amount of time.

 

[tgrlily]

Did you weigh them before processing? I'm curious about the difference between live weight & the finished product.

Most of mine are over 4 lbs live at 4 1/2 weeks old.

 

[cindybic]

Sorry, I did not wt. them before I processed them. I plan on getting more of them and will try to wt. them once a week. It is hard to do when they are live!
Cindyb

 

[classicsredone]

Where did you get the processing done? I want to get meaties, but my husband is very reluctant to try it on our own. He'd rather pay someone to do it.

 

[cindybic]

I live in Northern California south of Sacramento Ca. I had them done at New American Poultry Co., they do processing for many local restaurants. If you live close I can give you the phone number and address. We left them at 5:30 AM and they were ready at 7:00AM. They have an extremely good reputation, very clean and no smell, they are USDA inspected. If you do not live close then try calling your 4-H office and asking where they have their County Fair chickens processed.
Cindyb

 

[tgrlily]

You may be surprised when you weigh them. I expected to have a hard time, but I just put them on the scale & they sit down & look at me!