Chronicles of Raising Meat Birds - Modern Broilers, Heritage and Hybrids

[Molpet]

They look great...reminds me of a woman on here long ago that ran her CX free range with her layer replacements. Those birds were active as all get out, she had some great video of them ranging, changed my mind forever about CX being 'feeder potatoes'.

Bee's CX

 

[Morrigan]

What an idyllic looking property and beautiful, healthy meaties. I wonder if she had predator problems?

 

[aart]

Bee's CX

Wasn't her, but yeah, same thing.

 

[BantyChooks]

Wasn't her, but yeah, same thing.

Was it from Les Farms? I forget her username.

 

[aart]

Was it from Les Farms? I forget her username.

Yes! Aoxa...something, doesn't 'tag'.

 

[BantyChooks]

At what age do you guys process CX to get a 4--5 lb dressed weight? I looked it up, but answers varied widely.

 

[Parront]

At what age do you guys process CX to get a 4--5 lb dressed weight? I looked it up, but answers varied widely.

It does vary. With a commercial Cornish cross, the store bird of that size is ready in 6 weeks. Slower, healthier varieties, can take 9 weeks. If you feed them on a schedule, instead of continuous -- a little longer than that. Long ago, with standard birds from Murary McMuray, I took them to 10-12 weeks and got 7-10 pound roasters, much nicer than the store.

 

[RUNuts]

At what age do you guys process CX to get a 4--5 lb dressed weight? I looked it up, but answers varied widely.

Too many variables. I agree with Parront to target 6 weeks and try it in cool weather. Say 75°F-ish.

I think the Texas summer heat slows them down. Why my fall broilers didn't get as large as the spring ones.

 

[BantyChooks]

Too many variables. I agree with Parront to target 6 weeks and try it in cool weather. Say 75°F-ish.

I think the Texas summer heat slows them down. Why my fall broilers didn't get as large as the spring ones.

I weighed them today. They're about 5.5 lbs and 8 wks old. The weather here is always cool by that standard.

 

[BantyChooks]

It does vary. With a commercial Cornish cross, the store bird of that size is ready in 6 weeks. Slower, healthier varieties, can take 9 weeks. If you feed them on a schedule, instead of continuous -- a little longer than that. Long ago, with standard birds from Murary McMuray, I took them to 10-12 weeks and got 7-10 pound roasters, much nicer than the store.

Thanks. In general, what is the weight difference between live weight and dressed? (I haven't tried CX before, hence the stupid questions---sorry.)