A little advice wanted

[Acre4Me]

We have a 19 yo relative coming to visit in Sept. this relative is excited about seeing our chickens (we have twelve pullets that are 15 weeks old, plus a few cockerels of the same age). My spouse and I have been discussing getting meat birds to butcher in the fall, and I asked the relative if they would be interested in helping butcher the meat birds. The 19yo responded with a “yes!”, which I expected, and they are not squeamish, so I think the 19yo will follow through and help. Although we are new to raising chickens, my spouse has helped butcher chickens many years ago.

So, how many meat birds do you recommend for first-timers? We have a 10’x15’ area we can dedicate to them (along with a 3’x6’ brooder to begin). We would want to get done processing within 6 hours (since time will be spent with set-up, clean-up in addition to the slowness of a chicken processing novice).

Type: CornishX are ok, but spouse is more interested in trying another variety. We would have 9-10 weeks to grow out the birds before butchering while relative is here. Any recommendations?

Thanks.

 

[snow5164]

I’d recommend 10, I like The hybrid meat birds we get the grazers and they can eat 24 hours a day and the death rate is very low . Butchering and removing feathers is exhausting but if you plan and set up beforehand it can be a smooth operation . This year we’re making our table taller cause we got sore backs. Also consider skining some , we enjoyed those from last year and it was so easy

 

[Northern.Ontario]

We have a 19 yo relative coming to visit in Sept. this relative is excited about seeing our chickens (we have twelve pullets that are 15 weeks old, plus a few cockerels of the same age). My spouse and I have been discussing getting meat birds to butcher in the fall, and I asked the relative if they would be interested in helping butcher the meat birds. The 19yo responded with a “yes!”, which I expected, and they are not squeamish, so I think the 19yo will follow through and help. Although we are new to raising chickens, my spouse has helped butcher chickens many years ago.

So, how many meat birds do you recommend for first-timers? We have a 10’x15’ area we can dedicate to them (along with a 3’x6’ brooder to begin). We would want to get done processing within 6 hours (since time will be spent with set-up, clean-up in addition to the slowness of a chicken processing novice).

Type: CornishX are ok, but spouse is more interested in trying another variety. We would have 9-10 weeks to grow out the birds before butchering while relative is here. Any recommendations?

Thanks.

Try 10 Cornish cross and 10 freedom rangers. Then do a comparison after processing. The Cornish will only take 8-10 weeks; the freedom rangers a little longer.

 

[Acre4Me]

Try 10 Cornish cross and 10 freedom rangers. Then do a comparison after processing. The Cornish will only take 8-10 weeks; the freedom rangers a little longer.

Good idea to try 2 kinds. I though Cornish cross were ready by 6 weeks (and hardly able to walk), but is that only true with unlimited feed?

 

[Northern.Ontario]

Good idea to try 2 kinds. I though Cornish cross were ready by 6 weeks (and hardly able to walk), but is that only true with unlimited feed?

At 6 weeks old they are only Cornish hen size. IF you want the 7 to 8 pounders after butchering, then raise them to 10 weeks old

 

[RUNuts]

Good idea to try 2 kinds. I though Cornish cross were ready by 6 weeks (and hardly able to walk), but is that only true with unlimited feed?

Depends on the %protein in the feed, animal husbandry and care. Lots of factors. Mine were running at 8 weeks and 8+ pounds. 18% feed always available in a tractor on grass. Put the grocery store fryers to shame. I barely fit 2 roosters on the rotisserie where I had no issues with grocery store birds. My local market has roasters and mine were that size. Good eats.

If the 19 yo is only staying 8 weeks, use CX for the whole experience. At least 10. 10'x15' = 150 sq. ft. 4 sp. ft. per bird = 26 birds conservatively without crowding and over doing the stink factor. What bedding is planned?

Some people mention problems when housing CX with red broilers. May consider dividing the space available? The CX will out grow the broilers quickly and may become bullies at the feed trough.

I started with barred rocks. Second batch was CX for comparison. I really didn't have many issues with the CX and will do those again for economics. Half the cost and half the time for more meat. Many studies show this.

 

[Acre4Me]

Depends on the %protein in the feed, animal husbandry and care. Lots of factors. Mine were running at 8 weeks and 8+ pounds. 18% feed always available in a tractor on grass. Put the grocery store fryers to shame. I barely fit 2 roosters on the rotisserie where I had no issues with grocery store birds. My local market has roasters and mine were that size. Good eats.

If the 19 yo is only staying 8 weeks, use CX for the whole experience. At least 10. 10'x15' = 150 sq. ft. 4 sp. ft. per bird = 26 birds conservatively without crowding and over doing the stink factor. What bedding is planned?

Some people mention problems when housing CX with red broilers. May consider dividing the space available? The CX will out grow the broilers quickly and may become bullies at the feed trough.

I started with barred rocks. Second batch was CX for comparison. I really didn't have many issues with the CX and will do those again for economics. Half the cost and half the time for more meat. Many studies show this.

Good to know, thank you. The 19yo will be visiting for 2 weeks, so we just need to get birds to the point of slaughter, aiming for the last week of their visit so they can help with care of the birds too (they are interested in doing this).

We have a 50’x10’ run, but will portion off a 10’x15’ area for the meat birds. They will be separate,but next to, our current flock. I think the 10-15 number of birds is probably good for us as first-timers with a young adult “student”.

My spouse thinks that we should just raise regular chickens for meat, but I would like to do meat chickens. We have 3 cockerels (15 weeks right now, EE and dark brown leghorn males) that need to be culled, so if they last that long (depending on “jerk” status) we will add them to our cull list the day of slaughter, otherwise it will be sooner. I am guessing the 3above mentioned boys will not be as tender as actual meat birds that are younger when processed.

 

[RUNuts]

Tender is experience based. As is taste. Yes, the older birds will be firmer. A slower cooking method is advised. Gumbo, soup or canned. It is all good.

Something to consider. Have the 19 yo arrive. Care for the chickens for a day. Harvest the 3 roosters + a couple of the CX. Let rest and eat them. After a week, start processing the CX. That way, he can eat them while he is there.

Time to process is also a factor. 25 birds in one day will overwhelm me. 6 was comfortable and took half a day. We hand plucked the Barred Rocks and they took much longer than the CX to pluck. Learning experience. Don't overwhelm everyone. Do 5. If everyone is game, do another 5. If tired, feed the birds, clean up and start the next day. No reason to exhaust anyone. First processing day will have things go slower. Once you are in stride, the pace increases.

I'll encourage to do both kinds of chicken at least once for comparison. Maybe not at the same time, but the roosters are a good start on broiler types.

Best wishes!

 

[Acre4Me]

Thanks!! Good advice. As first timers, we will be slow! Good advice to butcher with enough time to eat before 19 yo leaves town.

 

[JiminyChristmas]

Lots of sound advice here. I would go with CX first, as they are reliable. We were a little put off by them at first but after trying several batches along with rangers and a handful of heritage breeds, the CX will always have their place at my house. I've had too much variation with the "ranger" varieties as far as growth and timing as well as consistency in each group. That's not a blanket statement though as there are many types and lines available.