My first batch of CX done: The Results

[bowhunter862]

I processed the second batch right at the 42 day mark. The average weight was 4.03 pounds dressed. The third and last batch of this year is 18 days old. I will process them at 53 days old. I expect a 6-6.5 pound average. I'm pretty confident I have this CX growing thing down to a science now.

 

[Dashdiddly]

Wow..this is a great thread. As a family of 7 we'd LOVE to raise meat birds (in the future) We're going to start simple, with laying hens..but this is quite the encouraging post! That is a lot of meat! Sounds like I'd better start searching craigslist for an extra freezer..lol

 

[Todd S]

thanks for the update, my first batch will be done Oct 5th and 55 days old. Hoping to get similar results to yours. What was the feed used on these batches?

 

[bowhunter862]

 

[bowhunter862]

I used that feed start to finish

 

[Todd S]

 

[bowhunter862]

The second batch was 30 birds. I ordered 25 but received 33. 30 made it to butcher day. They ate 350# of feed or 11.66# per bird which is almost 3:1 feed to meat conversion. The feed to meat conversion was a bit better on the first batch. (2.5:1) This may have been due to poor sexing on the second batch. I had 9 pullets in the mix on the second batch. I ordered all boys but ended up with nearly 1/3 girls. I think a 2.5:1 conversion is about as good as I can do. That's 2.5 pounds of feed for every 1 pound of dressed weight chicken.

 

[locoguru]

Great thread, thanks for all the good info. Going to split a batch of meaties next year with a couple of mates.

 

[KFCCHICKENUTAH]

My brother just cooked one of my meaties I gave him on Sunday. Said it fed a family of 6. He slow roasted it for 7 hours. Cooked it in butter, fresh squeezed lime, pepper, garlic, diced basil and a bit of chicken rub. Said it fell off the bone. He then took the juice, the bones and the skin and cooked it for 24 hours on low. He said his house smelled like a boston market. He got the recipe online and said that he cooked the juice, skin and bones for 24 hours on low. It created a large amount of chicken broth that you could freeze up to 6 months. He said his kids never finish their plates but all of them wanted more.

 

[Joanmcm]

Good news! Doesn't it make you feel good when the hard work pays off and people appreciate it! I had a houseful yesterday who requested chicken for dinner. My little grandsons ate very well and went back for more. I was happy cause they enjoyed it and it was good for them. Sent home a frozen bird with them.