Disapointing Cornish Rock Harvest - What are we doing wrong?

[LilyD]

We live in VT also and our first hatch was similar sized. We let the next group of 19 go out to 12 weeks and they dressed out between 7 and 10 pounds with huge breasts. We feed Broiler food 20% from the time we get them until 2 weeks before hatching then switch them to a 24% finisher to help them round out and put on a few extra pounds. It seemed to work because these birds were monsters.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay :

For a pig/chicken to grow it needs feed and it needs to convert that feed to meat. That is where I start: Was enough feed provided and were there challenges to feed conversion.

Once again, I have to agree with Jim.

Did they eat enough feed? We keep commercial layer hens here and there are published "Performance Goals" for each strain that detail nutritional requirements, feed consumption, hen weights, egg production, egg weights, etc. Of course every flock is different, but if we find the flock straying too far from these goals then we need to do some troubleshooting.

The same can be said for broilers. The hatchery we buy from (Sunnyside) has performance goals on their website for their strain of broilers. Our local feed store sells these broilers and has the same performance goals printed on the back of their bags:

http://www.cfspecial.com/images/E0239701/PERFORMANCEB.pdf

If they aren't eating enough feed you have to figure out why. Are they too hot, too cold, competing for feed or water? Are there environmental challenges; cocci, algae in the water, poor litter conditions, high ammonia levels?

If they are eating enough feed and aren't putting on the weight then one should look at the quality of the feed, possible internal parasites, or the stocking rate. Recommended stocking for broilers is typically 1 to 1.5 square feet per bird, with 2 sq feet per bird being on the low side, otherwise they tend to run around and burn off a lot of the nutrition that they have been eating.​

 

[homesteadapps]

Our method tried and true:

I generally figure feed usage as 10 lbs per Cornish X for the first 6 weeks and 10 pounds for the last 2 weeks.

8lb birds in 7 to 8 weeks :

1. Light 23 hours 7 days a week (important to keep them eating and growing)
2. Free choice 20% feed from day 1 to last ( feed store or milled)
3. Keep the area well ventilated if it's hot (fan if 80 degrees or higher)
4. Clean water at all times.
5. Keep bedding clean and dry

Our also allowed them to roam outside during the day. They do eat grass, bugs, etc, but the feeder is their favorite place.

We've raised many this way with very few, if any problems.

 

[downeastthunderfarm]

Great replies. Thank you. The birds have about 4 square feet per bird. They have water and food 24/7, but we have not added lighting beyond natural sunlight. My husband is estimating that the 10 birds ate better than 100 lbs. of feed.

LilyD, I think for these remaining birds we may follow your model and see what happens.

 

[LilyD]

Quote:
So far it has worked for us. We don't do food 24/7 though because we lost birds doing that we feed it like scratch outside so they are encouraged to search around for their food. Usually about 5 horse scoops twice a day. Then they eat grass and bugs the rest of the time which adds even more protein. I think the finisher was the best addition two weeks before processing. They ended up much meatier than our previous batches but not fatty so it was a good balance.

Good luck with your birds my fingers are crossed for you.

Lily

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Quote:
In eight weeks? Unless the "better than" part was another 50 lbs of feed then it sounds like they weren't eating enough...

 

[downeastthunderfarm]

In eight weeks? Unless the "better than" part was another 50 lbs of feed then it sounds like they weren't eating enough...

And therein may lie our problem. "Better than" is likely not 50 lbs. more. How do we encourage them to eat more? Their coop has a feeder and water, their attached run has a feeder and water. We supplement with lots of fresh clover.

Thanks!​

 

[Mac in Wisco]

It may have just been the summer heat. You said that don't have any lighting for them, but in the heat nighttime feeding can make sense.

They will continue to grow. Feed them until they get to the weight that you want...

 

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

Quote:
I think we have found the problem. The clover is bulkier than their feed, so feeding lots of it limits the intake of the commercial feed which lmiits growth rate.

Stop the clover and I bet the growth rate will jump.

Jim

 

[downeastthunderfarm]

And here we thought we were making them happy! We'll save the clover for the hens and see what happens!