filthy broilers

[TimG]

That 1x1 looks pressure treated. What are thoughts about having pressure treated next to the food supply?

 

[rhoda_bruce]

I am questioning how much energy is being used up to keep warm, that could otherwise be turned into muscle, when the temp is near freezing.
I don't doubt that my birds can take cold weather, but I wouldn't have wanted them to suffer in the cold as very young chicks when they still needed to be protected and brought down in steps. But still....if they would be in a fairly warm environment, wouldn't they grow faster?
I am not opposed to making an extra tractor for next time I want to raise meat birds, but I am not sure if March thru June wouldn't be better than October thru December.

 

[TimG]

I think extreme heat or cold slows growth. I don't think nights in the 40s is an extreme.

 

[CatsvsDogs]

This is my first year of raising broilers. I butchered at the end of Oct. and started another round very shortly after. I will never raise broilers after Oct. ever again.

 

[twister]

since you want to hijack this thread and asked for my thoughts-- ( next time you want to change the topic, however; open a new thread)


Quote:
to my understanding the new PT wood is safe. Even the old PT wood in testing laboratories showed no leaching. FYI: those broilers did not EAT the wood. They would rarely lift a beak to get a bug right in front of them. They stayed gathered around that metal feeder the time it was presented to them. The pen was moved daily and sometimes 2x daily.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

we tend to do that a bit here on the meat bird thread, we're a pretty relaxed bunch.
That said everyone is also pretty quick to back off if the OP requests it. But she was talking about tractors, so Tim's question does seem to be in line. lol you would hate my threads they go on forever about everything!

 

[twister]

sorry then, apologies all around!!!

 

[Dogfish]

They grow slower in the winter, and if you have freezing temps, running warm water out for their waterers gets to be a pain twice a day.

 

[CDennis]

Quote:
I second that!!!! Currently running water to the broilers is a part time job! Not again in winter for me.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

I'm with you on that. Spring and fall crop only.