7.5 week Cornish cross died overnight

[MitchW]

This is our first time raising meat birds so I’m clearly no expert (we’ve had chickens for eggs for probably 5 years now). I’ll tell you a bit of my sorry, in hopes something helps you. We ordered 20 unsexed Cornish cross from mcmurray hatchery (Ended up being 10 male, 10 female). They should have all hatched the same day for our shipment. I never noticed any significant difference in their feathering but as they started to get bigger we clearly had a big one and a couple smaller ones. When we butchered at 7 weeks we tried to pick the 4 biggest ones and one was almost 5.5lbs (we didn’t weigh after culling, just once they were ready for the fridge). And the smallest one at 8 weeks was just under 4lbs. And when I started to noticed that some seemed to be panting more than others (I’m in upstate NY, so it was NOT hot outside), there wasn’t necessarily a connection to just the biggest birds struggling.
About dealing with birds that are less healthy or maybe not as strong, I’d consider culling early if you think they may die before they should. I’d hate to waste the very expensive organic fees. Though, I’m not always good at taking that advice myself.

This was my first batch too. It's a learning experience, that's for sure. My plan is to do another batch in the spring. Most likely I will order them from McMurray this time. Too many bad stories about TSC chicks, and now my own experience. I've ordered laying hens from McMurray and they've done well. It'll be a tough call, but right now I think I'd say I'm leaning towards culling weak ones early and not just because of the feed cost. Watching the one who seemed to struggle breathing from early on never sat well with me. I do think that I will move up the processing date. The one I processed yesterday weighed 4.25lbs after processing, and it was in the median as far as size.

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[Cintax]

I didn't chance it and just let the turkey vultures have a free meal. It's a balance I struggle with between not wasting meat (and seeing an animal go to waste) and not risking mine and my wife's health. I am wondering though if I may have an issue going on or if I'm just seeing the end result of some of the birds in the group that didn't seem to be the best from the beginning. I butchered one yesterday (not the one that died) that wasn't doing too well. I'm almost positive that he was the one I've been kind of keeping my eye on from the beginning because his breathing was always labored. But, now this morning I have another bird sitting with it's eye's closed and not wanting to move. It did get up and move on its own when I moved the tractor, but then closed it's eyes and laid back down. It didn't even react when I put their food in, and everyone always comes running when I bring the food.

Thoughts?

Nothing in nature is wasted. You fed the animals and insects that live around you.