My first batch of meaties just arrived! 26 Cornish x

[RUNuts]

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!

So many variables come into this. I like letting nature take its course. I feel the growth charts are the max attainable, but have no proof. I'm sure the heat is slowing them down a little too. I know I'm slow.

If they are healthy and growing, what more is there?

 

[Morrigan]

So many variables come into this. I like letting nature take its course. I feel the growth charts are the max attainable, but have no proof. I'm sure the heat is slowing them down a little too. I know I'm slow.

If they are healthy and growing, what more is there?

I agree. Plus, they can always search for bugs and green eatables if they are hungry.

Very nice set up you have @Tre3hugger .

 

[Tre3hugger]

So many variables come into this. I like letting nature take its course. I feel the growth charts are the max attainable, but have no proof. I'm sure the heat is slowing them down a little too. I know I'm slow.

If they are healthy and growing, what more is there?

Completely agree. I love to watch them progress. I am not stressing the max weight thing at all. I will butcher them when I and them seem ready! You said it best. "If they are healthy and growing, what more is there?

 

[Tre3hugger]

Very nice set up you have @Tre3hugger .

Thanks @Morrigan ! This is my first year doing all this stuff so I am just humbly trying to observe my animals and learn as I go. They seem pretty content rn, so I do too!!

 

[Tre3hugger]

Well guys my meaties have went from tenders to patties this week! They are almost a month(29 days) old today. Just about halfway to the big day. I am super happy with both their growth and their activeness. I give them McMurrays broiler booster about every third day, and hace been limiting their food to about 30 minutes, twice a day. Moving the tractor every other day. Here come the pics!

It's been over 90 here everyday this week, so I have been kind of worried about them. So far though they just utilize their shade and amble to the waterer when it is super hot. The older these guys get, the more I attribute all the horror stories to bad husbandry, They are clean respectable rotund birds who appreciate a good meal. I can relate! lol

 

[Tre3hugger]

Here is a weekly progress
day 3

day 7

day 14

day 21

day 29

 

[Morrigan]

They are clean respectable rotund birds who appreciate a good meal. I can relate! lol

Me too!

 

[Morrigan]

They are looking good, btw. It seems like a nice clean set up you have them in. I think you get out of the experience what you put into it.

 

[Tre3hugger]

They are looking good, btw. It seems like a nice clean set up you have them in. I think you get out of the experience what you put into it.

Thank you!! It is really not too hard to move the tractor every other day. They're actually helping me out, because next year that section of lawn will be a veggie garden!

I agree you get what you give. It just takes a little forethought, and not pushing every single bird you have to the limit.

 

[Evanloveschickens]

Following. Almost got a bunch because they were 76 cents apiece at my feed store since they were about 1.5 weeks old and they needed them gone to get more, but now I might want to do some next year

Wow that’s cheap. What breed? Cornish Cross? I got some for $1 at TSC.