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

[Sandrachx]

another thing i tried different this year with the meat birds when they got bigger was using large rubber bowls for water vs. the traditional metal water cans. it was easier for me to check in to see the water level and fill with jugs than to try to get the lid off, empty the debris and refill. the chicks took a while to get used to it, but they did. i'll probably use them in the fenced area when we let them out to forage this weekend. i've ordered those avian aqua miser nipples to create some of the larger bucket waterers to use inside the coops.

 

[finnfur]

The 25 Ideal 90c black broiler arrived today. All alive and well and some one brought his buddy. So that make 26.
Theres only 10 feeder slots in our chick feeder so its a constant line up. They eating in shifts LOL

Thanks to all for the great info on the deal and the care info.

 

[SIMZ]

Hi everyone! How are all the chickens doing?

We moved ours outside into their shelters and electric fencing on Monday. We had the usual difficulties of trying to move the shelters without smashing chicks and worrying about them being too cold. Now they're all settled in and starting to run around the yard. That always makes it worth it for me! They are some strong & healthy cuties so far!

 

[catnipchickens]

I ordered 25 black broilers and ended up receiving 28 last Thursday. One is literally a runt as he/she is half the size of the others and had to be handraised or helped a little in order to survive. He/she almost didn't make it but thankfully is now back in with the rest as of yesterday, but there is a huge difference between the 1 and the others. I sold 15 as I didn't think I had the room for all 28. I use a plate as a feeder for them and wait until its almost empty before filling it again.

As I learn more about these broilers and how to feed them, I'm learning how I can apply this knowledge to my SS so I can hopefully get bigger birds who lay eggs well but have the meatiness to sustain them through winter (and have more on them when it comes time to cull). Definitely an interesting experience.

 

[SIMZ]

Hi everyone! How are those chickens doing?

Ours are getting big and doing really well.

 

[PlayinChicken]

Mine came in last week and are also doing well. I can't believe how much they can eat and drink! I have them brooding with my laying hen chicks but I will have to split them up by the end of the week as I can see they are starting to dominate.

 

[SIMZ]

Mine came in last week and are also doing well. I can't believe how much they can eat and drink! I have them brooding with my laying hen chicks but I will have to split them up by the end of the week as I can see they are starting to dominate.

It doesn't take long for them to outgrow the laying chicks, does it? Not to mention hogging the feeders so no one else can get to them. lol

 

[Huntress78]

Mine were 4 weeks old yesterday, right around 3 lbs each, and fully feathered. I lost one early...one of my large roosters crowed and scared the meat chicks in the brooder. They all panicked and one flew up into the crossbrace and hit it's head. Then I lost one at about two weeks old. It looked good but quit eating or drinking and got weak so I put it down. I'm not sure what happened with this one but it may have been struck by one of the large bachelor roos in the next pen.

This weekend I plan to butcher 20 hens along with 8 or so roosters from the layer flock. This will give the other 40 meat birds more room at the feeders and in the coop....they grow so fast!

 

[SIMZ]

We've also found it works out pretty well to start processing them over time to make more room. We'll process about half in the next week (pieces & smaller broilers) and then another group at 6 weeks. Then the final few we'll process at 8 weeks for big roasters.

 

[Sandrachx]

our birds are now out in the electric fenced area. they love it - in the coop at night and released in the early a.m. they especially like to lay in the dirt next to the day run that the mature layers are in. companionship or hero worship, not sure. they seem to forage quite a bit. i just keep the feeder and water filled inside the coop and let them go (2 large water bowls outside in the shade). i'm wondering if/when i should remove the feeders at night - any thoughts? there are 2 groups: freedom rangers, 5 weeks; black broilers, 7 weeks.