Are my birds on track?

[wichix411]

Hey all!
I'm a 17 yr old raising 50 Cornish X's for the first time. We couldn't get our chickens into the processor at 8 weeks, so they'll be going in at 10 weeks old. Because of this, i reduced their feed intake a little. Right now they're 7 weeks old, and average 4 pounds live weight. Is this too big or too small for having only 3 weeks left?
And also, what is the best way to feed them? I have been feeding them via trough method twice a day, but some places say allow continuous feed, just take it away at night.

Any thoughts or comments are GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!
Thanks so much!

 

[raimnel]

Sounds small, but what do I know, I'm a new egg too.
I'm feeding ours from a troth also but they have food from 8am-8pm. These guys/gals are a bit over 1 week.
?? Do you have yours outside? if so when did you move yours?
Thanks

 

[Mahonri]

Keep feeding.

 

[19sarah90]

Sounds small, but makes me feel good because mine have to go to the fair at 8 weeks old and I was afraid they'd be too big (there's a limit of 6.5 lbs per bird). See my post: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=2463017#p2463017

I'm 18 (19 tomorrow

) and raising my first too, by the way.

 

[19sarah90]

Love The Chick Pics As Avatars, Guys!!!

 

[Nemo]

I finally found the table I found a while ago...

(From Whelp Hatchery)

 

[raimnel]

Quote:
That's were I seen that chart!!
Thanks

 

[wichix411]

Quote:
I do have mine outside. I use a (modified) Salatin pen. It is 10x10 with chicken wire on the side. Half of the sides are covered and 3/4ths of the top is covered. I moved them out there at just under three weeks old, and i'm in N. Central Wisconsin. They were out the first week of June. Unfortunately, the first night they were out there, there was frost.

I covered the cage up with a tarp but we lost one. Otherwise all are healthy. I almost forgot to tell you, the pen is on wheels so I move it to fresh pasture twice a day so they can forage and eat bugs and live the life of a chicken.

Can anyone tell me what is a better system of feeding? Troughs or full day access (just take it away at night)?

 

[Mydnight]

Can anyone tell me what is a better system of feeding? Troughs or full day access (just take it away at night)?

I feed mine 12 on/12 off, but this is my first batch. We're right on 7 weeks, and they weigh in at 4-6lbs each. (ooh, my daughter hates standing on the scale with the birds!

) We too move their tractor twice a day, we just put the feed down at 8am, fill the water two to three times a day, and again when we remove the feed at 8 pm. It's pretty simple. I personally don't want to be more restrictive than that since I want the meats birds done and in the freezer.

I have read on BYC how someone got theirs to last longer than the 8-12 weeks we all expect with these Cornish X's. They too were on super restrictive like you, two short mealtimes twice a day, and they looked just like regular chickens. Lemme see if I can find it...​

 

[Freebird]

I recently finished my "test" run with Cornish Xs and an 8x6 tractor. I butchered them at 7&1/2 weeks.

Live weight at 7 weeks for one of the cockerels was 6lbs 12 oz. (didn't weigh the pullets), which I thought was a bit low. So, yeah, a live weight of 4 lbs at 7 weeks sounds low to me.

At 7&1/2 weeks, the cockerels dressed out right at 5lbs, while the pullets went 4lbs dressed. I probably should have gone another week and a half.

I fed mine 24/7 for the first week and a half, then 12 on/12 off afterwards. (all with 22% protein feed)