Chicken Results for batch Started Oct 27, 2011. Completed Dec.20, 2011
BRIEF SUMMARY:
We started Oct 27, 2011 with 25 CX chicks, ordered cockerals from McMurray Hatchery. Feed was available 24/7 (see log for protein levels). We spent two days processing 20 birds, with one bird done earlier. Processing was done on days 54, and 55 of the project. Our decision to process at day 55 was prompted by daily deaths. (we were hopeful for 10 - 12 weeks)
We weighed 5 random birds every seven days. Growth results were amazing to us, as follows:
Day Average Wt.
1 1 oz Oct 27, 2011
7 4.35 oz
14 12 oz
21 1# 7 ¾ oz
28 2# 13 oz
35 4# 8 oz
42 6# 8 oz
49 8# 1 oz
56 ON ICE
HARVEST INFO:
Day # Birds Dressed Wt. range Dressed weight comment
51 1 5#1 5#1 w/feet
54 7 6#11 7#13 51.#
55 13 5#3 7#12 93.5#
PROCESSED TOTAL:
# Bird Wt. dressed Total Wt. Avg.
21 5#2 to 7#13 149.5# 7#2
hearts, gizzard, and liver not included in the weights.
LOSS INFO:
Day weight Comment
34 2#8 one bird
53 7# one bird, died during the night
54 9#8
55 9#
NUMBERS:
Total feed used was 475 pounds.
Statistic for this run was 2.82 pounds of feed per 1 pound of dressed chicken. (the three late deaths are calculated into the feed conversion)
Expense for raising birds taken from expense log for chicks, feed, bedding, and a replacement brooder bulb was 299.31 less 34.67 for 100# left over feed to equal $264.64
Average price for each bird: 12.60
Average price per pound: 1.81
Notes:
Feed was 20% flock started for the first 150 pounds, 18% for the next 200, and 20% for the last 100 pounds.
We did our own processing, and hand plucking.
The 3 birds of 5#s were pullets.
If the 3 late deaths are calculated into the overall, the final costs would be as follows,
24 birds, 168 pounds, $11.02 per bird, $1.58 per pound.
We had them mixed with 11 RIRs to keep them active. Of the RIR's we lost 3, one early, and 2 to Ricki Raccoon who is no longer a problem.
Overall we were quite satisfied with this outcome. This was done not for the purpose of saving money, because our time was not included in our costs, but becuase we felt that the final product would be better than store bought. It is indeed better.
BRIEF SUMMARY:
We started Oct 27, 2011 with 25 CX chicks, ordered cockerals from McMurray Hatchery. Feed was available 24/7 (see log for protein levels). We spent two days processing 20 birds, with one bird done earlier. Processing was done on days 54, and 55 of the project. Our decision to process at day 55 was prompted by daily deaths. (we were hopeful for 10 - 12 weeks)
We weighed 5 random birds every seven days. Growth results were amazing to us, as follows:
Day Average Wt.
1 1 oz Oct 27, 2011
7 4.35 oz
14 12 oz
21 1# 7 ¾ oz
28 2# 13 oz
35 4# 8 oz
42 6# 8 oz
49 8# 1 oz
56 ON ICE
HARVEST INFO:
Day # Birds Dressed Wt. range Dressed weight comment
51 1 5#1 5#1 w/feet
54 7 6#11 7#13 51.#
55 13 5#3 7#12 93.5#
PROCESSED TOTAL:
# Bird Wt. dressed Total Wt. Avg.
21 5#2 to 7#13 149.5# 7#2
hearts, gizzard, and liver not included in the weights.
LOSS INFO:
Day weight Comment
34 2#8 one bird
53 7# one bird, died during the night
54 9#8
55 9#
NUMBERS:
Total feed used was 475 pounds.
Statistic for this run was 2.82 pounds of feed per 1 pound of dressed chicken. (the three late deaths are calculated into the feed conversion)
Expense for raising birds taken from expense log for chicks, feed, bedding, and a replacement brooder bulb was 299.31 less 34.67 for 100# left over feed to equal $264.64
Average price for each bird: 12.60
Average price per pound: 1.81
Notes:
Feed was 20% flock started for the first 150 pounds, 18% for the next 200, and 20% for the last 100 pounds.
We did our own processing, and hand plucking.
The 3 birds of 5#s were pullets.
If the 3 late deaths are calculated into the overall, the final costs would be as follows,
24 birds, 168 pounds, $11.02 per bird, $1.58 per pound.
We had them mixed with 11 RIRs to keep them active. Of the RIR's we lost 3, one early, and 2 to Ricki Raccoon who is no longer a problem.
Overall we were quite satisfied with this outcome. This was done not for the purpose of saving money, because our time was not included in our costs, but becuase we felt that the final product would be better than store bought. It is indeed better.