My first batch of meaties just arrived! 26 Cornish x

[Tre3hugger]

I got two rounds of tomatoes last year

Awesome. The wife and I are fairly familia with veggie canning and have been reading about chicken canning lately. Just was curious what your wife(a real live person) did successfully. I appreciate the great info!

 

[Plsc]

Lol! I posted the maters in the wrong thread!
This is why I do outside stuff.

 

[Tre3hugger]

Spent the morning preparing my little 1/4 acre pasture for my tenders. Getting ready to set up the electric fence. It has been quite warm here so I am thinking they will be ready to go into the tractor this week, at 3 weeks old. I'll post some pics of the set up later. Can't wait to see this fence in action! The premier 1 Permanet 12/48/3. I have really been wanting one of these, as I feel like they are among the most effective predator deterrents.

 

[Tre3hugger]

This is where the meaties will start their life on grass. I figured I could utilize the fence to also try and train the guineas. They have been locked down in that coop for over half their lives, but still can't seem to figure out how to return at night.

Anyway the area is about 600 sq ft. Should sustain my 8x4 tractor moved once a day for about two weeks. Then I will just move the fence over to new ground once and that should bring me right up to slaughter date. The Electric fence couldn't have been easier to set up. Took less than an hour. It is solar powered. I tested the shock on my hand(only fair if I will subject animals to it) and it seems just the right amount of strength.
Here is their tractor.

I have since added doors but you get the gist. It is 8x4.

 

[iwltfum]

train the guineas

I think that's a myth.

Your set up looks good!

 

[iwltfum]

I just remembered that you have 26 of those little monsters. You may end up having to move them twice a day once they get bigger. They will poop up their tractor space pretty quick at that density, but you'll figure it out.

 

[Tre3hugger]

I just remembered that you have 26 of those little monsters. You may end up having to move them twice a day once they get bigger. They will poop up their tractor space pretty quick at that density, but you'll figure it out.

I actually sold half of them and lost a couple. I will have 11 going into the tractor.

 

[Tre3hugger]

I think that's a myth.

Your set up looks good!

LOL you are too right. And thanks!

 

[iwltfum]

I actually sold half of them and lost a couple. I will have 11 going into the tractor.

That sounds alot more manageable. I raise mine in 10x10 tractors with 32ish each - about the same density.

 

[Tre3hugger]

My tenders are three weeks old today. They celebrated their birthday by moving onto the pasture! I also took weights today. My heaviest is 20 oz and my lightest is 14 oz.

My average weight for 11 birds is an even 16oz or 1 lb. They are slightly behind the welp chart, but I attribute this to a natural light cycle and the ability to move around a bit. I don't mind, I am not on a real time crunch.
Here is a pic in my hand, if anyone would care to visually compare weekly growth with the pics on page 3.

They really seem to be enjoying themselves on the grass. I am glad I can do that for them. As cornish x, these beat the odds ever making it outside. Swells my little grinch heart.

I am starting restriction on feed today. 30 mins twice a day. Would you still do that even though they are slightly "below weight?" Between the vitamins I feed them and their weight, I doubt they are at max capacity. Thoughts?

Thanks for reading!