Daily Journal: 50-Cornish X chicks from Schlecht

[terri9630]

I was going to order from Scheltes but shipping would have doubled the price of the chicks. I'll have to look for someone with cheaper shipping.

 

[bnentrup]

Well, we are just 2-days shy of our fifth week with these birds. I was a bit concerned at the start of week 4-since many did not appear to have much of a weight gain over the past week of growth. I have been more relaxed in the past 2-weeks and just let things be since I cannot force them to be productive.

However, I did call the hatchery and spoke with the same lady that I bought my chicks from. I did not prime her by saying, are my 1.75lb chicks doing ok with weight gain, but rather just asked her.. what weight should my 4-week chicks be at. She stated that most customers achieve 2-2.5lb averages around week 4. Her comment was that their strain of broilers typically climb at week 6 and go quickly to their ideal weight from there. I explained that I wanted in the 5lb dressed weights and she suggested 8-9 weeks for my goal. In comparison to welp-hatchery's guidelines, that would be several lbs lighter than theirs, but I would note that the feed conversions is VERY similar to theirs. Meaning, yes it takes longer for the strain I purchased from Schlecht to be at butcher weight, but the feed intake is near the same as a bird from another hatchery the week prior. I am ok with that and feel that the slower weight growth make help in the leg vs body size issues and hopefully the same with heart problems as well.

After talking with the hatchery, and her stressing that I should remain on 22% protein feed, I went to the store to purchase feed. This time I went to a store opposite end of town as TS, and bought something besides the Dumor that I have been using. NOTE: I AM NOT ONE TO BASH brands, and have not come to the conclusion that the feed is the reason of their crazy growth this week, but my chickens are catching up to the standard growth of broilers. They seem healthier this week (better activity!!) and their crops are always twice as full as prior.

There is a huge difference in odor between Dumor and Orschelns brand. The Dumor smells like a jar of molasses. This new feed smells like bread.

Am I 100% convinced that the improvement was feed? No, not necessarily. It could simply be there growth spurt that many have discussed about these birds in week 4-5.

I did buy a few 40lb bags for $8.99 (was on sale) and happy with that price overall.

Since our first week, we have not had any die from trampling or unknown reasons (just the 1 from known reason a few weeks ago). Our runt has been removed from the group, and placed in a brooder with a single Dominique hatch-ling for its company (it was sad being in the brooder all alone). The funny thing is, that the two week old hatchling has caught up with this 5-week old cornish X in size (not weight). That runt is pathetic and sorry guys, I do not have the heart to thump it on the head. It does not seem to be suffering, nor is it consuming a larger ration of feed vs its weight. It may just be a donation to a local coop if it does not start growing some weight.

 

[bnentrup]

Figured I would just post a few pictures. The first picture was taken 7-days ago, and the second from today- just shy of their 5-wk birthday. Umm.. can you see the huge difference 1-week made?

 

[Hillsvale]

shocking in't it.... especially when we just brought home our second batch and they are so tiny and cute in comparison... though it is really cute when we walk up to the big boy pen and they all come running looking for easy food.. we free range during the day.

 

[bnentrup]

Quote:
It is shocking! They are so stinking ugly at this stage! My 4-year old daughter defends them though-- they ARE NOT ULGY!!! she says.... I hope she will not be destroyed on D-day. We have talked so many time about these buggers becoming nuggets, while reminding her that the other chickens are layers! I think she will be just fine.

We decided to not overlap our flock as we just put an offer on a new place-10 acres and 4-barns! Whewhew! hope we get it.

 

[bnentrup]

I decided to post a chart showing my Cornish X-Growth rate. NOTE: this is indeed not 100% accurate, as I have placed average weights and have weighed them at different times of the day which makes a huge difference in the results. However, it will show the relative results of my efforts, and that is my only objective!

 

[bnentrup]

Yesterday our runt decided to go belly up. I had it in the brooder since it was not looking too good the past week, and figured I may be able to get some weight on it if in the brooder. However, it did not make it.

Today, we have a flooded back yard. My layers had 6" of water in their tractor, and the meaties were barely safe. I went ahead and moved them to a bit higher ground although we are NOT in a flood area at all. It has been CRAZY wet here these past few weeks.

I have one cockerel that was limping 2-days prior decide to not move and basically was covered in mud. I think it is the first with leg problems as his wings flap fine and seems to have fair energy. Although just 2lbs, I think he will be butchered today and become our first cornish game 'hen'/cockerel.

 

[Hillsvale]

I can't wait to hear how the butcher goes... we decided to do a trial run at about 7 weeks... just a few to see what we need to tweek on the second butcher. This will be 18... lots to do then we have 45 new guys (2 weeks) and my boss chickened out (no pun intended) raising his 10 that he ordered and I get the job!

 

[bnentrup]

WE lost 20+ birds today due to dog attack. NOT what I was wanting to post today.... Hope the neighbor is responsible.

 

[Farmer_Dan]

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