Cornish Cross Feeding / Butcher Weight / Timing

[LAYER6]

So, I raised a batch of 100 for the first time back in Sept/Oct 20. They turned out nicely, but I had coccidiosis hit at one point, and the CORID method was one which I never wanted to go through again.

New set of 52 chicks arrives on 9 March, having been born on 7 March. Unfortunately, can't pasture feed them, so they have been in a shed 12 on 12 off, with 16 hours of light.

So this time I went with a medicated starter/grower feed at 18% protein. I increased it to 22% by scooping 2 quart bottles of soymeal into each bag and thoroughly mixing. They have done fine, right now mostly weighing 9.5 lbs. So they don't turn 8 weeks until next Monday, but I am considering whether it's worth waiting another week, or just plowing in on Saturday.

Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[NatJ]

So they don't turn 8 weeks until next Monday, but I am considering whether it's worth waiting another week, or just plowing in on Saturday.

Anyone have any thoughts?

I would go with whichever butchering day fits your schedule best, or maybe do the biggest half sooner and the others a week later.

The longer you raise them, the greater the chance of them dropping dead from heart failure.
But if you have not had any deaths yet, and you do not expect next week to be hotter than this week, they will probably be fine for another week.

 

[CNJ]

right now mostly weighing 9.5 lbs. So they don't turn 8 weeks until next Monday,

If you can only butcher them on Sat or Sun, a few days earlier or latter would be okay, but I wouldn't go past 9 weeks. Quality is better than quantity in my opinion.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I had coccidiosis hit at one point,

With the life cycle of the bug that causes Coccidiosis the big problem is when they live in wet. If you can keep their area dry Coccidiosis is hardly ever a problem. But as much as they poop it can be hard to keep that area dry. The medicated feed certainly helps but think of it as a two pronged approach.

am considering whether it's worth waiting another week, or just plowing in on Saturday.

That's a personal preference/personal decision type thing. If you wait a week they will grow bigger and will still be young enough to be really tender. It is possible you could lose some to medical problems if you wait but that is no a guarantee. It is possible you won't lose any, it could be bad. There is no way to know. I'm guessing that when you set up you will go through all of them, not half this weekend and the rest next. The way I eat chickens the size isn't all that important to me. To some people it is very important.

Based on your goals just go for one or the other. You don't have the advantage of hindsight to know which is the best.

 

[LAYER6]

So I didn't have a choice. My dog got bit by a copperhead morning of planned processing.... now these birds are all at least 11.5+ . They are gaining weight rapidly. Saturday will be processing day.

Hope not to lose any....

Have to make new kill cones now though.... ugh.

 

[CNJ]

Have to make new kill cones now though.... ugh.

For big birds 10lbs, you need at least a 4 inch hole for bottom and 12 inches on top........

 

[LAYER6]

Birds came in at 14 lbs per and gutted out at 10 lbs. Only 9 weeks old. It's unreal. Had to break down 20 of them to fit all of them in the freezer.

I kept their protein at 22% for 6 weeks and then dropped to 18%. 12 on 12 off.

Comparison.... last time I butchered at 8 weeks and got 6 - 6.5 lbers.

 

[CNJ]

Birds came in at 14 lbs per and gutted out at 10 lbs. Only 9 weeks old. It's unreal. Had to break down 20 of them to fit all of them in the freezer.

I kept their protein at 22% for 6 weeks and then dropped to 18%. 12 on 12 off.

Comparison.... last time I butchered at 8 weeks and got 6 - 6.5 lbers.

Wow, 14 lbs is huge, did you use soy meal the last time with the smaller birds?