Are my New Hampshires underweight?

[moonhaus]

Hey guys,

was hoping you could help me with a question.

I'm raising 25 New Hampshire Reds in a pasture pen (along with several other breeds) They are at 9 weeks now, and I'm planning to process them for market at 12 weeks.
They have access to a standard grower feed mix, fresh water, and forage at all times.

When I weighed one this morning, he was 2.5ibs.
This seems very small to me, and I'm really concerned they wont be ready for slaughter at 12 weeks.

Can anyone give me advice about this? So far I haven't been able to find info on expected weights at certain ages.

Thanks a lot
Jerah

 

[Habibs Hens]

New Hampshire's are not really broilers so they are slightly slower growing


you should have purchased Cornish Crosses

Ready and about 9lb ish at 8-10 weeks

 

[RoostersCrow HensDeliver!]

Even if you purchased the heavy show quality New Hampshire, they wouldn't be ready for butcher until about 18 wks.

The cornish crosses are the only breed that will be ready to process at 10-12 weeks.
Hatcheries have their own versions calling them Red Broilers or Black Broilers ect.
Or you can go for the White Broiler aka CornishX which can process as early as 6 weeks.

 

[Elke Beck]

I agree that you will probably need to grow them out to at least 14 - 16 weeks to be worthwhile.

Freedom Rangers and Red Rangers will give you a nice sized carcass at 12 weeks. I am processing the last 5 Red Ranger cockerels at 11 weeks old this weekend because they are crowing and fighting, and they seem to be nicely filled out. We will see what the carcasses actually look like once I am finished, but this morning when I picked a couple up they have good muscle on their legs and their breasts were nicely covered.

And, yes, I grope my meat birds! I admit it and I would do it again!

 

[moonhaus]

Hey thanks for the reply!

(and, I am not judging you for bird-groping) I'd do it too.

 

[Elke Beck]

Hey thanks for the reply!

(and, I am not judging you for bird-groping) I'd do it too.

It is kind of hard not to give a little feel here and there. I want to know what is happening under all those feathers!