I was talking with a couple of people here in town about getting meaties and butchering them ourselves next spring (heaven knows we're already processing our own roosters, might as well make it worth our while and fill our freezers while we're at it.). But we were wondering how much feed per bird to expect to use, so we could figure out how much it will cost over all. So how much did you feed your Cornish X or FR birds, and how heavy and old were they at the time of processing?
I just did the first of my Cornish X. 11 birds so far (at seven weeks today) have eaten 200 lbs of feed, Purina Broiler Show Chow......At a cost of 17.99 per 50 lbs. The three we did weighed in at 9 lbs and two at 8 lbs. Sunday is D day for some more..... Jane
I have laying right now but researched starting broilers. here is a great site I found when needing info. hope it helps http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGA/Broil/BRKMeat.html
in the search section, put in FCR and you should get couple of threads that answer the feed question.
At the moment I have 31 Cornish X. As of today they have consumed approximately 220lbs feed at a cost of $2.52 per bird. When I add the cost of the birds from the hatchery, the cost per bird increases to $4.91. I received another 15 Cornish X, 8 New Hampshire Reds pullets and 2 New Hampshire Red cockles today. I am feeding the birds, on a 12 hours cycle. From 6pm to 6am they have food. I remove the food from 6am to 6pm. They also consume close to 6 gallons of water in 24hrs. I have them in a tractor pen
I just finished 52. All hens. 45 were butchered at just over 9 weeks, 6 at various times between 4 and 8 weeks. 900lbs of feed. They dressed an average of about 5lbs.
Thanks. We've been talking about getting some Cornish x chicks next spring and who knows what feed will run by then, but it helps to have some idea how much they'll eat so we can figure that in to the cost before we order them.
Three pounds of feed per pound of body weight is the rule of thumb. I have worked the cost out many times over the years trying to make a higher profit margin.....the cost ends up being about 1.00 a lb when you raise them yourself.
