New Hampshire chicks. Meat not tender

[wkyongae]

Chicks where five weeks old, butchered weight 2 1\4 lb average weight of three birds. We butchered some because we thoughts there was a problem with the crop being too full. Turns out gizzard too small and not able to process feed fast enough. Started chicks on half 30% high protein feed and 18% starter\grower ration. Now have them on 1\4 starter grower, 1\4 30% starter and 1\2 mixed wild bird seed limited free choice and Eden feed mixed wet. Crop problem has went away find out next week if tenderness is better. Next week birds will be 7 weeks old. Expect butcher weight to be over 3lbs

 

[Debbie292d]

1/2 wild bird seed for chicks is giving them half the nutrition they need so this will be interesting!

 

[wkyongae]

Actually not the wild bird seed has cracked corn, sorgum, millet, sunflower seed and a few others. We also put dirt box in with them as well.

 

[wkyongae]

Well, butchered 8 six and a half week olds. Gizzard nearly doubled in size, no problem with crop anymore. Birds averaged around 3 1\4 lbs, alot more fat. So feeding program is working. Birds act alot like cornish cross with the way they lay around.