This was my second time raising CX. My last batch got huge. By 8 weeks I had birds 6.5-8.5 lbs dressed (20-22% first 3 weeks then 18% for remaining weeks). While I was happy with the results in my freezer, I felt a little bad to see them having a hard time walking near the end, even though I didn't have any with actual leg or heart issues. So this time, I decided to see what happens when they are raised on 18% protein only. Yes, I realize I could process before they get too big and save myself from feeding them for 8 weeks, but the goal was to have them grow at a slightly more natural rate, and to see if they truly need the high protein diet they are said to need.
The first couple weeks I almost abandoned the project because they were about HALF the weight of my first batch of CX and I was worried my little yard wouldn't have enough space to move the tractor around until 10-12 weeks old if I needed to. I decided to stick with it anyway and told myself I'd process at 8 weeks pretty much no matter what. The only other issue I saw at this stage was that the bigger chickens weren't feathering as quick as they should, maybe having the lower protein their feathering couldn't keep up with their body growth.
2.5 weeks old
By week 4 or 5 though, these guys were really only a pound or so under my average weight for the last group, and pretty much stayed that way until the end. The feathering issues subsided quickly and they were very active, healthy birds. We found that these guys could more readily stand and walk at week 8, although they still laid around a lot like CX often do.
6 weeks old
At 8 weeks, they dressed out at weights ranging from 5 lbs to 6 lbs 9 oz.
On processing day
the conga line
I should mention that this was not a scientific experiment by any means lol. They were raised practically the same way as the first batch, but the first batch was from Meyer, and the second from TSC (Hoover's?). The first batch was about 50/50 male to female, and in this second batch it was hard to tell but we may have had only one male! That certainly affects weights. Anyway, it was just an experiment and I wanted to share the results with you guys. It's not the most economical way to do things, but if you don't want many mobility issues and are willing to sacrifice a little size, this is a good way to go.
The first couple weeks I almost abandoned the project because they were about HALF the weight of my first batch of CX and I was worried my little yard wouldn't have enough space to move the tractor around until 10-12 weeks old if I needed to. I decided to stick with it anyway and told myself I'd process at 8 weeks pretty much no matter what. The only other issue I saw at this stage was that the bigger chickens weren't feathering as quick as they should, maybe having the lower protein their feathering couldn't keep up with their body growth.
2.5 weeks old
By week 4 or 5 though, these guys were really only a pound or so under my average weight for the last group, and pretty much stayed that way until the end. The feathering issues subsided quickly and they were very active, healthy birds. We found that these guys could more readily stand and walk at week 8, although they still laid around a lot like CX often do.
6 weeks old
At 8 weeks, they dressed out at weights ranging from 5 lbs to 6 lbs 9 oz.
On processing day
the conga line
I should mention that this was not a scientific experiment by any means lol. They were raised practically the same way as the first batch, but the first batch was from Meyer, and the second from TSC (Hoover's?). The first batch was about 50/50 male to female, and in this second batch it was hard to tell but we may have had only one male! That certainly affects weights. Anyway, it was just an experiment and I wanted to share the results with you guys. It's not the most economical way to do things, but if you don't want many mobility issues and are willing to sacrifice a little size, this is a good way to go.