Color Range Broilers arrived

[UncleHoot]

24 lbs in 7 days for 102 chicks? That's less than what that many cornish x would eat. Somewhere around 8-10 weeks, you may go through that much feed each day. Probably more.

All meat chickens are bred to be hungry. Some people withdraw feed, but with these slower growing varieties, I really don't think it's necessary.

 

[AnthonyT]

At day 10 mine are just about through with a 50 lb bag of feed. The largest ones weigh 4-5oz now and the 100 easily eat 5+ pounds of feed a day now. Its amazing how quick they feather out too and they have even started to cock-fight a little in a rather funny uncoordinated chick way!

 

[Gallina]

Ok, so they are normal. I am through 1 50lb bag and 1/2 way through 10 lbs of fishmeal.

By withholding food, do you mean feed them twice a day and let them forage the rest? How do I know how much to place in the trough?
I will probably place them in their portable pen next week at two weeks old. The weather has been very pleasant in Virginia, plus they are covered by tarps that reflect away the sun.

 

[AnthonyT]

I have been giving them access to food 24/7. I don't think they will eat themselves into trouble like Cornish crosses sometimes can.

 

[UncleHoot]

Quote:
Correct. And I've never had trouble with my Cornish X's either, but once they're outside in the pen/tractor, they sleep at night (and stop eating). I wonder if some of the problems arise in facilities where they have light 24/7.

 

[AnthonyT]

24/7 lighting probably does have something to do with it. My brooder is outside (it is so warm here right now no need for heat except late at night) and gets natural light. If you go down there right at dusk 90% of the chicks are sound asleep. They are growing quite a bit faster than I expected also.

 

[willheveland]

Quote:
Correct. And I've never had trouble with my Cornish X's either, but once they're outside in the pen/tractor, they sleep at night (and stop eating). I wonder if some of the problems arise in facilities where they have light 24/7.

I agree with you Uncle Hoot. Will

 

[greyfields]

Mine are doing very well. I think they arrived the same day yours did.

 

[UncleHoot]

Mine are still doing quite well also.

As a side note, they are 2 days younger than my cornish X which I'm raising together. In retrospect, it would have made a lot more sense to delay the batch of cornish X by another week, making the Range Broilers 5 days older. They seem to be holding their own just fine, but they do get pushed around a bit.

 

[AnthonyT]

Mine made it through the remnants of Dolly that just dumped 2"+ of rain on us. The chicks got a little wet but didn't even seem to care. The 95 or so that are left (after 3 DOA and a 2 early deaths) are now downing around 10lbs of feed per day, tons of bugs and all the forage they can pack in. Their legs are huge! Overall I have been very happy with them.