Is anyone else raising fall broilers? Our chicks came today: 8/18

[SIMZ]

finnfur -- I'm also sorry about your black broilers. That's so frustrating and disappointing when that happens and you don't even know how to fix it. Did you happen to call the hatchery and ask? We received our 2nd batch of chicks last Wednesday and kept losing them (8 so far). They told me that they were chilled in transit and gave me a few tips along with a credit for the dead ones.

pichuris - Let us know how the fermenting goes with your meaties. Feed prices are outrageous.....especially with how these little guys eat!

 

[SIMZ]

Our meaties are doing really, really well. They're about 5 1/2 weeks old and we've already processed 2 that were 3 lb. 13 oz. and the other was about 4 lbs. as well. Those weren't giants in the bunch, either. This is our first time raising this many (65) and keeping them entirely outside. We've had minimal loses -- we've only lost or culled 4 to this point - and two of those were the last few days and we processed them.

These little guys seem much more personable than our last bunch of 50. There is always a group that comes running and follows me around when I'm out there. It helps make up for the clean up that comes with them.

We're processing 30 tomorrow and another 20 on Friday. These guys are almost done, but we have another batch ready to take their place.

 

[Huntress78]

Butchered 20 of the meat flock on Saturday at 32 days old. I was hoping to do them as 'Cornish hens' like the grocery store sells but they got a little bigger on me. Here's the stats for comparison.

Grocery store Cornish Hens
1.375 lbs each @ $3.69 each or $2.68 per lb.

My 20 homegrown Cornish X
Average weight 1.825 lbs (oven ready, no giblets or necks) .... cost me $4.00 each or $2.19 per lb.

My cost of $4.00 each is based on the price of the chicks (including 2 deaths), Vitamins, bedding, and feed. If I included a charge for my time, cleaning up after these little poop factories, they would be closer to $500/lb but I was pleasantly surprised that the cost per pound came out LESS than grocery store birds!

I also butchered 6 dark Brahma roos that only averaged 2.25 lbs @ 12 weeks old and I know they cost me a LOT more than $4.00 each.

 

[SIMZ]

My cost of $4.00 each is based on the price of the chicks (including 2 deaths), Vitamins, bedding, and feed. If I included a charge for my time, cleaning up after these little poop factories, they would be closer to $500/lb but I was pleasantly surprised that the cost per pound came out LESS than grocery store birds!

So true!! I'm cracking up! One time I thought I'd figure in some kind of number for my time --- LOL No sense in ruining a good thing, right? Congratulations on your good results!

 

[pichuris]

I am going to getting some meat birds soon. Looks like it will be closer to middle of October before I can get my hands on them though. The hatcher said that he only does special orders...... I was wanting to find a place local to get them, I am in Georgia, Does anyone know where I can get some from around here?

I got my red broilers from Ideal. I know its not local to you but its fairly easy to order and shipped. The black broilers are on sale right now.

 

[pichuris]

finnfur - so sorry for your loss. How disheartening. I'll be getting my red broilers on Friday from Ideal. I'll let you know if I'm having the same issue.

SIMZ - you bet. I'll keep you all posted and hopefully I can get pics loaded too.

Today is Day 3 my 4 week old layer pullets have been on fermented feed (FF). Today I was so pleasantly surprised to go to the basement and for once it didn't smell like little chickens aka chicken poop. In all 3 brooders 50% less water consumption and 25% less food consumption and it looked like 50% less poop. I've also noticed all but 3 have lost all their downy fluff on their heads and have the more "adult" look which in the past its taken at least 5 weeks to get to this point.

 

[finnfur]

Hi, sorry to hear of the problems you've had with your bunch. I had 28 arrive on 8/29 and one was a 'runt,' half the size of the others and even now, 3.5 weeks later, it doesn't seem to have grown to the size of the smallest of the others. It also has this bubble of skin between its neck and right shoulder, like an air pocket, and it acts 'off' from the others although it is friendlier. Not sure if this one will make it to the 7-9 week mark. Hope it gets better for you from here on out.

For space reasons I had to sell 22, so I now have 6 (including the runt), 5 of which are outside. I'm not sure if I'd do broilers again, since they tend to be flighty, but I guess its understandable since I'd be flighty too if I was in their position. Its definitely been a learning experience though, in regards to their feed, protein needs, etc.

Cat nip
Our runt appears to have a enlarged area between the neck and right shoulder also. I will have to check it out further. Any idea what it is ?
Runt also has toes on feet turned in and had lots of problems walking. Seems to be improving slightly. I have another thats smaller than the
rest but it is twice as big as runt. I'm not sure we are doing runt a favor by stringing it along . Amazing will to live they have though.

 

[catnipchickens]

My red broilers from Ideal will arrive on Friday. I just started fermenting feed (3 days) with noticeable difference with my layer chicks already. 50% less water consumption they did get a little diarhea i think from the change but now they appears to poo less and not as stinky. So Ill be doing this with my meaties. Never done the meaties before so I will be documenting pretty closely. Feed has gone up 5 dollars a bag since beginning of spring due to the drought in colorado so looking for any ideas on how to get more bang for my buck.

Hi, I'm also in CO and have been affected by the increased prices. I've switched to pellet feed for my layers which has dramatically lowered waste and I add fermented whole wheat & whole milo along with some of the fermented juices to the pellet food. This combo has lowered my birds' consumption and they still lay. I also add some of the fermented whole wheat/milo to the 23% protein feed along with the fermented juices for my broilers. Just sharing what has worked for me.

 

[catnipchickens]

Cat nip
    Our runt appears to have a enlarged area between the neck and right shoulder also. I will have to check it out further. Any idea what it is ? 
Runt also has toes on feet turned in and had lots of problems walking. Seems to be improving slightly. I have another thats smaller than the
rest but it is twice as big as runt. I'm not sure we are doing runt a favor by stringing it along . Amazing will to live they have though.

I don't know what my runt has, but it seems to now have an issue with food absorption since its poop is not looking normal. Might have to put it down if it doesn't improve. But as you say, their will to live despite their issues is amazing.

 

[finnfur]

I don't know what my runt has, but it seems to now have an issue with food absorption since its poop is not looking normal. Might have to put it down if it doesn't improve. But as you say, their will to live despite their issues is amazing.

Put nipple waterer in pen and took other water out . Runt was one of the first ones to learn it . I guess you have to be smarter to learn to live with issues .
Still eating and drinking but just doesn't seem to be gaining weight like the rest. In the wild it would have been predator food already.