Cornish cross chicks arriving next week

[aart]

Small lungs could be a fluke?
Other birds lungs were normal?

 

[wolfwalker]

Small lungs could be a fluke?
Other birds lungs were normal?

Yes they were. Now that they are all done and in the freezer my next post will be the final breakdown.

 

[wolfwalker]

Okay, the 8 week final breakdown and comments below.

Okay the mass breakdown.

400 pounds of feed fed at a cost of 360$
19 birds lived to harvest day
129.98 pounds of meat placed in freezer 2.77$ per pound

Avg weight is 6.7 pounds.
Largest is 8 pounds
Smallest was 4.5 pounds (This one was in trouble when I butchered it early)

During butchering I noticed 3 cases of Pericarditis (Fluid in sac around heart)
I averaged 20 minutes per bird, which I only was able to do by using a drill plucker, so not bad.

All organs looked healthy, Though I noticed a couple of birds with double livers, (2 sets)

Would I order again?

It is clear to me, at my elevation that the standard broiler, even the Welp hatchery breed, is not suited for me. I do not like 22% in loses of healthy birds. And the issues only popped up after week 6 and into week 7.

Unlike the suggested feeding schedule of 12 hours on 12 hours off, I only allowed the birds to eat for 8 hours after week 3. up to that point they were allowed 12 hours of feed.

Regular non organic poultry around here goes for 3.99 a pound, unless you find it on sale, so on that scale, it was worth it. Plus it was raised organic.

First week of May I have the new Delaware Enhanced broilers coming in and I am hoping that as a dual purpose and sustainable flock I won't have to resort to rapid broilers again in the future.

 

[wolfwalker]

I am going to revive this thread to be able to keep all my info in one place. Plus, the thread title is still appropriate

I ordered back in November when it was first mentioned about McMurray's new line of Delaware Broiler's. I ordered 10 as a why not try them, if I don't like them I can always throw the hens in the laying flock and eat the roosters.

They ship out on 5/11 and shortly thereafter I will start tracking weights and feed consumption and posting it here weekly.

 

[Erin80]

Following! Very interesting.
We are getting 35 Cornish cross in August, but I’m curious to see how it goes for you with the Delewares and what you think.

 

[wolfwalker]

Well, Murray McMurray called me.

seems my shipment is being pushed back to June 1st. Their large incubator failed and they lost over 100,00 eggs ready to hatch next week. So I'm not the only one having their shipment re-arranged.

My issue is, I expect a lot of deaths in this shipment due to our unseasonable high heat. We've hit July temps now, so they are going to be stressed big time.

 

[Ridgerunner]

All you can do is the best you can. Good luck!

 

[TK421]

Thanks for all your work in this thread. I’ll be watching this batch with you when they come in!

 

[Parront]

Well, Murray McMurray called me.

seems my shipment is being pushed back to June 1st. Their large incubator failed and they lost over 100,00 eggs ready to hatch next week. So I'm not the only one having their shipment re-arranged.

My issue is, I expect a lot of deaths in this shipment due to our unseasonable high heat. We've hit July temps now, so they are going to be stressed big time.

I went and read about them on McMurray's site, they look very interesting! The Site said that they are a slow-growth broiler, so maybe they will not be as bothered by the heat as others would be. I look forward to seeing how they do for you!

 

[wolfwalker]

I have a tracking number. So they should be here on Wednesday. Hopefully safe and sound