Meat birds not where they should be

[Lion67]

i got a second batch of Cornish cross's and they aren't as big as the first batch was at this age. (5 weeks) just wondering if I am doing something wrong with them. We put this batch on meat bird feed from TC but the first batch wasn't on it and they were bigger. They have food all day and night but it's really hot here(95degree hot). Can heat effect their growth?

 

[PatrickRoo]

Heat can affect how much a chicken will eat. In hotter temperatures, chickens will not eat as much. It may also be the protein percentage. Meatbirds, for example a Cornish X, will need anywhere from 22% to 24% protein.