My first batch of CX done: The Results

[Joanmcm]

The heat and humidity over last weekend was bad. The egg chickens really did not appear to even feel it. The meat chickens just cannot take it. Ice water runs to their pen several times a day + extra shade + fan. This week is supposed to be hotter so timing was good.

How many batches are you doing?

 

[bowhunter862]

Doing 3 batches this year. 50 spring, 30 summer and 70 in the fall; 150 birds total. It is hot this week for sure. The chicks in this middle batch are doing pretty good. At this age, they want 85 degrees and with no brooder lamps and windows open and fan on, it's about 85-87 in the barn.

 

[Joanmcm]

That is alot of chickens! What do you do for the two day wait? My fridges are full of birds for the two days til freezer time. Bagged feet, giblets and necks for the dog and left over necks are in the crockpot for broth.

Two little chicks (RIR, BR) are in the basement still. I want to get them outside but at 95 heat index it is too hot. 6 egg chickens outside don't even appear to feel the heat...walking around, chasing bugs, etc.

 

[bowhunter862]

That is alot of chickens! What do you do for the two day wait? My fridges are full of birds for the two days til freezer time. Bagged feet, giblets and necks for the dog and left over necks are in the crockpot for broth.

I have a refrigerator in the garage just for chickens, well....and maybe a beer or two when there's no chickens in there

but seriously, I put what will fit in there and use ice and coolers for the rest. Next addition to my very large garage will be a walk in cooler I'm thinkin'

 

[Joanmcm]

OK. I just finished emptying the ones on a two day wait (some went to three day wait) from the fridge into the freezers. Every place you open a door a chicken falls out. Cooking two of our own for the first time tonight. Two because I just do not have the room to stuff one more chicken into the freezer.

Wine fits in the door Or can be warm.

 

[KFCCHICKENUTAH]

Do you have a big yard or farm? I dont think Id do meat chickens again without more property that I really dont care if it gets messed up or not. They are cooped and I put natural compost as a floor for them. With the combination of the compost, the food and the water spilling and the 103 degrees it made for a big stinky mess with alot of bugs/flys. I corrected the food issue by buying them a dog bowl instead of their chicken feeders. The dog bowl was big and heavy enough that when they would perch on the top without tipping it over. I think if I came up with a nipple system for the water itd be different as well. I like using the compost as its really soft, They get black when they roll and take a dirt bath with it but oh well.

 

[Joanmcm]

Only about 1/2 an acre was used for moving our pen. We have 5+ acres but only really moved the chickens around 1/2 an acre. THe chickens were moved once a day and then 2x a day during the last couple of weeks. Meaties are a big stinky mess but they do stay pretty clean on grass. The grass spots take a couple of weeks to recover after the chickens leave. The chickens were delicious.

 

[bowhunter862]

I keep mine in a 12X12 coop with an attached wire enclosed yard. I clean and add fresh shavings as needed and I managed the mess just fine.

 

[Joanmcm]

How many wood shavings did you go through and did you compost them? We use wood shavings for the young chicks before they go outside. It makes a good mulch mixing a bit with garden soil.

 

[bowhunter862]

I have a sawmill just a mile from my house. They give away their shavings. I have no idea how much I used. When I needed some I just hooked up my trailer and went over and shoveled a load on. Toward the end, I used a bunch keeping them clean. I do compost everything and disperse it on my garden in the spring. Works great!