BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[hellbender]

@ 7 months, and 15.00, they are getting sold at cost. After 12 wks they are eating between 4 and 5 oz per day (no waste). @ 5oz per day and .30 cent per pound of feed, we are in the neighborhood of ten dollars from between 3 months and 7 months. Feed is usually 80% of the cost of raising the bird. (It costs around 5 dollars to get them to 12 wks. @ .30 cents per pound.)

The cost effectiveness of poultry meat declines rapidly (and in a big way) after 12 and 14 wks.

This is where that cursed growth curve comes into effect. We want to harvest a respectable carcass at the peak of their efficiency. Once we identify what that point is, then we can see what kind of progress we need to make, and select accordingly.

Or just watch for the feathers laying everywhere.

It is easy enough to divide the pounds fed to a group of birds and divide it by the number of birds fed. That gives us our pounds of feed per pound of flesh gained. A number that matters. This number varies wildly from strain to strain. There is marked differences between them.

It can potentially cost twice as much between 12 wks and 24 wks, than from between 0 and 12 wks.

I get rid of cockerel culls here for cost. It saves me money.

That's why we like the value-added of caponization.

 

[hellbender]

for get it...I made a mistake...

 

[Beekissed]

Now, I have a question for those who breed for meat...How do you develop your strains?

As those who read I am wanting to develop a black line of meat birds, ATM I got swedish hens and silkies but will be looking at over the next few years a few cemani (once they get a lil cheaper) and some NN (possible) what do you guys recommend to possible breed in for good feed to meat ratio and over all hardiness and size?

I'm using Plymouth White Rocks.

 

[dfr1973]

@ 7 months, and 15.00, they are getting sold at cost. After 12 wks they are eating between 4 and 5 oz per day (no waste). @ 5oz per day and .30 cent per pound of feed, we are in the neighborhood of ten dollars from between 3 months and 7 months. Feed is usually 80% of the cost of raising the bird. (It costs around 5 dollars to get them to 12 wks. @ .30 cents per pound.)

These numbers are interesting. Are these for your NHs? So, for a 5 month old *bantam* Silkie cockerel $15 is in the black. Cool.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

@ 7 months, and 15.00, they are getting sold at cost. After 12 wks they are eating between 4 and 5 oz per day (no waste). @ 5oz per day and .30 cent per pound of feed, we are in the neighborhood of ten dollars from between 3 months and 7 months. Feed is usually 80% of the cost of raising the bird. (It costs around 5 dollars to get them to 12 wks. @ .30 cents per pound.)

The cost effectiveness of poultry meat declines rapidly (and in a big way) after 12 and 14 wks.

This is where that cursed growth curve comes into effect. We want to harvest a respectable carcass at the peak of their efficiency. Once we identify what that point is, then we can see what kind of progress we need to make, and select accordingly.

Or just watch for the feathers laying everywhere.

It is easy enough to divide the pounds fed to a group of birds and divide it by the number of birds fed. That gives us our pounds of feed per pound of flesh gained. A number that matters. This number varies wildly from strain to strain. There is marked differences between them.

It can potentially cost twice as much between 12 wks and 24 wks, than from between 0 and 12 wks.

I get rid of cockerel culls here for cost. It saves me money.

Yeah, now that I have a better handle on things, I'm going to track feed as well as weight next hatch (unless I end up using a broody, which might complicate things...)

I'm pulling the plug on my smaller-than-I'd-like hatchery New Hampshire frat boys at around 14 weeks, this weekend. I keep telling myself that it does NOT make sense to wait and hope they'll get bigger. (Also, they're starting to pick on each other). So your post is very timely in reminding me of this. I'll be culling the two smallest NN boys as well - they're being a PIA anyway - Sweetie got another gash (great that she's so naked, but not great that she gets these...)

- Ant Farm

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Some pics from today, a broody mom w/ her chicks. These are the first non NN chicks I've had in a long time. I am having fertility issues w/ my head roo (about to be fixed tomorrow is freezer camp day) I got these eggs from a friend so this broody could have chicks.

Oh, man, yes, I LOVE baby-and-broody photos, and I WANT your hen! Or, rather, I want her babies. (Because I'm interested in more fibro in my flock.) Maybe I could get eggs from her or something... Dark + Naked = COOL!!!!! (And yummy!)

- Ant Farm

Edit to add: AFTER you get your fertility problems fixed and take care of your own flock needs, of course...

 

[miss heny]

Same Ant Farm..I want that hen

 

[Kassaundra]

Thanks ladies, she is one of my favorites too. I have another I like better she is maybe a tad darker but a smaller comb. I have another hen that is very dark skinned (maybe not quite as dark as this one) but has white and brown patterned feathers. As soon as all my dark ladies are laying I will pen them w/ my dark fm boy and see what comes of it.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Thanks ladies, she is one of my favorites too. I have another I like better she is maybe a tad darker but a smaller comb. I have another hen that is very dark skinned (maybe not quite as dark as this one) but has white and brown patterned feathers. As soon as all my dark ladies are laying I will pen them w/ my dark fm boy and see what comes of it.

OMG, I will TOTALLY road trip to Oklahoma for eggs the MOMENT you say "go"!!!!

- Ant Farm

Edit to add: I also like that she's broody...

 

[miss heny]

I got family in OK

a good way to convince family to go...