Final Results - Jumbo Cornish Cross from McMurray Hatchery

[ncgnance]

Wow, thanks MissPrissy. I am planning to get chickens this year for the freezor. Your posts were very informative. I've been looking at the Freedom Rangers that someone posted about awhile back. I really don't know which one I'm going to order. They all sound wonderful. I was wondering if anyone out there could compare the two.

 

[MissPrissy]

Glad to be of help and happy to share when there is something someone might learn from me.

 

[LoneCowboy]

Miss prissy, what were the normal temp. range when you were raising them? You said it was cooler, but I'm trying to decide when it going to be best to order mine

 

[MissPrissy]

My birds came on Oct 2nd. The days were mild in the 70's with a few warmer days in the 80's. The nights were cool but not cold. We had a few nights of frost on the pumpkin into November but on those nights I ran a heat lamp. Once they fully feathered out I never did anything special but make sure they had food and water all day. They did really well in winter temps. They generate alot of heat keeping one another toasty and comfy as they bedded down in the pine shavings.

 

[Chirpy]

I've been toying with the idea of getting those same meat birds. However, the catalog says not to get them if you live above 5000 feet. I live closer to 7000 feet. I'm wondering if anyone has gotten them at the higher altitude and what happened?

I'm assuming this is because it's harder to breath at higher altitudes??

If so, is there a meat breed that I can get at this altitude?

 

[MissPrissy]

Good question, chirpy. I'll bump this to the top again and see if someone can answer.

 

[tberggren]

Very much enjoyed reading your post. (they are always so informative) Will also save it. I was wondering if you ever figured out a bottom line price per pound. Just curious

 

[greyfields]

This is the data from my first batch:

Total Cost per Bird

Cost $1.56 EA
Food $5.76 EA
Slaughter $7.00 EA
Shelter $1.00 EA
Portable Electric $1.50 EA
Fountains $0.18 EA
Range Feeder $0.65 EA
Lamps $0.11 EA
Bulbs $0.36 EA
Other $0.20 EA

Cost per Bird $18.32 EA


I ammoratized the cost of equipment over the first 2 years. Cost per bird will go down significantly after then. It assumed also 100 birds per year for the first two years. I think I did 150 list year though, so I should break even on the hardware/equipment sooner.

 

[tberggren]

It cost you $7.00 a piece to have them slaughtered?? I am new to all of this but I thought the prices I have heard were closer to $2.00 a piece. Am I wrong or is it more expensive where you are?

Also would you say your birds averaged around 15lbs?

Thanks for the info.

 

[greyfields]

When I find several birds are 10 lbs live weight, I take in the whole batch. That usually gives me a nice range from 4 lbs to 8 lbs dressed weight.

The price for processing is $5 - $7 per bird depending on live weight. It's also a 180 mile round trip to that processor. I know of a place that will do them for $4 per bird, but it's about 400 miles round trip. So, I don't gain anything. This is because I sell my birds. You may be able to find uninspected processors to do your small batches for you.

Also, that $7 per bird barely covers the gas. If I start thinking about business licenses, business insurance, car insurance, liability, etc. then that $7 is way too low. So, I don't look too deeply into the number.

[edit] I do see people on here state they can get processing for $2 per bird in the midwest. I don't doubt it. Probably a lot more chickens are grown there than here. Heck, I pay $12-$13 for a bag of starter... $10 for a bag of cracked corn. Everything tends to be more expensive in the PNW.