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

[SIMZ]

We spent the morning "dipping beaks" with our new little chicks.

Is anyone else raising a batch of broilers this fall?

 

[finnfur]

We are thinking about some broilers soon . What breed did you get and help a newbie what is "dipping beaks".
We only have eggers now but just killed our first three overstocked Roos two weeks ago.

 

[SIMZ]

We raise regular broilers, or what is sometimes called cornish crosses.

"Dipping beaks" just meant showing them their water when we put them in the brooder. They usually don't need much help with their food and water, though. They look like they've already grown since this morning!

How were your EE's? We have some surplus roosters to process next weekend and I'm looking forward to seeing how they are.

 

[finnfur]

Your raising the Cornish rocks for meat. How long are you feeding before process.

the Roos we processed were Americanas at 4.5 months . They were not broiler grade but the one we ate "crock potted"
was mighty tasty. He was the one that escaped twice from the kill pen when Sharon tried to get them out. I think he got the word from one of the previous Roos .The last time he escaped her grasp we chased him around for 20 minutes in 95 degree 80% humidity . He wouldn't get within 40 feet of us. To the house and retrieved the old critter killer Marlin lever 22 .
One shot . Surprised myself, he hit the ground , bounced back up, flopped , hopped around just like I have heard described with the axe dispatch. Head shot and bleed out . Oh well it was a experience on what to avoid on the next process. LOL

 

[SIMZ]

I'm sure that was an experience! We'll probably have some fun stories to tell after next weekend when we process our 6 extra roos. The only way I can see us catching them is to put them in cages the night before -- but we'll still have to open the doors to get them out.

We like the taste of them so we raised 11 this year. The crowing has been HORRIBLE for the last few weeks. I'm not sure we'll raise that many again just for the neighbor's sake.

We've processed our broilers anywhere between 5 to 8-9 weeks. This time we'll probably do some at different times and let a few grow for at least 8 - 9 weeks. It's nicer in the fall because I don't feed bad letting them live longer since they aren't always gasping and panting!

 

[SmokinChick]

Getting 35 Cornish X on the 29th. Never did a fall batch and this will be my second batch ever. Did 25 this spring.
Best of luck to you.

 

[Kildare49]

Have 26 cornish crosses that are 2 weeks old. Out of the brooder & in the Coop.

If I want more for Sept. I have to order soon. Not sure...friends have to many layer chicks.

Will have to decide soon .

 

[PlayinChicken]

I just ordered some and am waiting to hear about a ship date. We are new to chickens and these will be my first meat birds. I am hoping the timing will be ok and we can process them before we have snow on the ground (which is easily as early as Halloween) as I was not planning on giving them access to the main coop.

 

[catnipchickens]

Not sure if this is where I'd post this, but I'm considering getting some Black Broilers. I'm not 100% sure what breed they are though. They are pictured below (photos from the supplier) and are not supposed to grow as fast as the commercial white broilers and are more active, so they're not supposed to have as many leg issues or fluid in the chest cavity. I was curious to know if anyone knows what breed of chicks these are and if you've had any experience with them. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.







Dee



Raising D'Uccles, Speckled Sussex, & Silkies

 

[SIMZ]

I've never heard of black broilers, but that doesn't mean much. They're in a shelter like we keep ours in, I see. Lots of people are raising meaties other than the usual white cornish cross! Let us know what you find out. You might want to search in the meat section for "Black Broilers" as well.