feed conversion, pasturing/tractoring, and a few other questions....

[Eroc1_1]

I would never put another breed in with Cornish in a tractor. But having dels are a wonderful choice. I can't stress enough that Cornish X's forage well. They will find every bug, grass, and piece of food they can find if they are encouraged to do so at a young age. Plant good eatable plants in the area you are planning to use for them.
and no 8x8 in my opinion is not large enough. Maybe for 25 birds but that is pushing it at 6 weeks of age. If you raised them before... you know those birds are huge and need space.

Yes, they do get big. The 25 we raised this fall were in a corner of a barn. My plan is to move them daily either in our pasture or lawn. I am hoping to revive the pasture this spring with a good mix of grasses and legumes. Looks like I will need to build 2 tractors.

 

[Tabasco Jack]

Last year I raised 2 batches of 26 each of Cornish Roasters from McMurray. They grow a little slower than the Cornish X birds.
I got them in mid Feb. and had to keep them in the brooder under heat lamps longer than planned due to a late cold snap.

Then I moved them to an 8'x8'x2' tall tractor in the pasture.

The first batch I butchered half at 8 weeks and did the rest a week later.

I based my feeding on the chart from Meyers. According to their charts I should have used just over 500 pounds of feed for the 9 weeks. I ended up using just under 400 pounds. So, yes the tractor does cut down on the amount of feed used. The first batch ended up with an average dressed weight of 6 pounds. The 2nd batch, which I butchered in late July averaged 5.5 pounds.

Good luck with it.