Info + looking for advice

[sadiesmom]

Hey everyone! I just wanted to share my experience with my butchering process. I had 5 Cx, they were mixed with my laying hens who free range most days which I think contributed to their weight. After 11 weeks they were around 6lbs live. I but he's using the cone method, found a $5 huge pot at goodwill for their hot bath, hand plucked with no problems although I was nervous to go into it without a plucker for my first time. All in all things were great.
Now I'm considering doing more, I'd like to do at least 10 but maybe ever 15-20. I'm wondering how much sq ft per bird do most of you do for meat birds? My layers have 4ft in the coop and they also free range a lot. just trying to figure how many meaties my extra coop can accommodate. Thanks!

 

[GitaBooks]

I don't keep Cornish Crosses, but I hope this link can help: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/620436/cornish-x-rock-space

Best of luck!

 

[slingshotandLAR]

I do them at 1.6sq per bird...

My tractors are 10x12 and get moved everyday. 75 birds apeice and the birds do fantastic, they are bright clean and fantastic eating.

 

[cafrhe]

I just did my first batch. The tractor is 8x12 with 30 birds in it. It gets moved 2x/day. A whole lot of poop! Because I didnt like them laying in so much poop, I ended up propping up one end of the tractor (a long end) and letting them 'free range' each day. They dont go too far (not like the layers), but there are moments of flapping and running. We are processing a week early because they have gotten pretty big.

 

[KlopKlop]

I do them at 1.6sq per bird...

My tractors are 10x12 and get moved everyday. 75 birds apeice and the birds do fantastic, they are bright clean and fantastic eating.

My tractors are 6x10 for 25 birds (2.4 sq ft each) and get moved 2x a day but they still are pretty dirty on their chests. Do you provide them with a sand box or something to bathe in? I''m assuming you are doing CX. I use the same setup for rainbows and they stay clean so it seems to me that the CX don't preen

 

[slingshotandLAR]

My tractors are 6x10 for 25 birds (2.4 sq ft each) and get moved 2x a day but they still are pretty dirty on their chests. Do you provide them with a sand box or something to bathe in? I''m assuming you are doing CX. I use the same setup for rainbows and they stay clean so it seems to me that the CX don't preen

The only thing they have is clean pasture everyday....

They stay very clean, and actually forage quite a bit. I can't believe the way the grass grows back, it's amazing I have strips of the thickest greenest pasture you have ever seen. I only use one spot per season, but Iay try twice and see what happens