Oh, the shame of it all . . . my meaties were so small

[goosemama]

I agree with all the previous comments about the White Cornish Crosses being the best breed to get to broiler weight the fastest. We have a newly opened organic farm near us who sells not only produce but organic eggs, chicken, turkey, pork and beef. I hadn't raised any Cornish myself for about 20 years and was hungry for a juicy roaster you can only get from "homemade" raising, so ordered two. The young couple running the farm explained they were expermenting between the Cornish and Rhode Island Roosters as many preferred them being a "more meat all over" type rather than the breast heavy Cornish. I was willing to buy one and see the difference and was sorely disappointed for my spirit of adventure!.

this bird looked like a basketball player who needed a good meal at Mama's house - all long legs and wings, thin upperbody (thighs ok), but NOT the plump compact roaster of about 7-8lbs I had raised years ago. The meat was tasty but not near as tender, thick or succulent as the Cornish Cross. I would not buy these again and the only reason I can think that some people prefer them is they haven;'t tasted the real McCoy - the top heavy Cornish Cross either on a rotisserie or roasted in the oven with mashed potatoes, gravy so rich it reminds you of beef, garden peas and cabbage salad like Grandma made. Makes my mouth water just typing! I'm going to be mightily disappointed if this brood of 24 I have going turn out to be runts!

 

[budkingston]

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makes my mouth water just reading. Can I come over for Sunday dinner at your house?

 

[Brunty_Farms]

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Couldn't of said it any better.... stick with these guidlines and you will be the one showing up at the processor with giant birds!

Just wanted to add one thing though... Black Broilers are a poor choice for meat birds they shouldn't be called a broiler as they throw people way off. The reason they were developed was for the ethnic markets as a black or red bird is desired over a white one. They still grow a lot slower regardless of claims by Ideal.... and honestly that would be the last hatchery that I would buy any stock from. Depending where you are, choose the hatchery that is closest to you or the cheapest. If you live in Texas... than Ideal may be the "ideal" hatchery for you.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

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makes my mouth water just reading. Can I come over for Sunday dinner at your house?

Ya really.... I will bring the roaster...

 

[farrier!]

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I agree!!!
Scraps and scratch along with the lower protein feed was a big mistake. Scratch is only 6-8% protein.

Simply try a good high protein feed until they get to the weight you want.

 

[chicknjane]

I think I may need to find a different place for my feed. The Blue Seal brand that I get from the ag center as a 18% protein starter/grower feed (medicated or unmedicated), a layer ration at 16% protein, and then the finisher at 19% protein. I honestly believe the only sell that one brand. I just assumed the feed they gave me would be just right.

You are all right, although they were in a separate coop with their own separate feed, they shared a common run with my layers so they were pretty much all treated the same. The only thing I did different was to not name the meat and gave them finisher ration while the others got layer rations.

Thank you all for your advice. Come spring when I try raising meaties again, I'll be a little more wiser and hopefully will have better result.

'ptwoody' thank you for the imagery "the top heavy Cornish Cross either on a rotisserie or roasted in the oven with mashed potatoes, gravy so rich it reminds you of beef, garden peas and cabbage salad like Grandma made. Makes my mouth water just typing!" Now I have something to think about while I eat the scrawny little birds I had processed. LOL

 

[Sunny Side Up]

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I know you weren't going to blame them for your results, but thought you could hear the hatchery's recommendations as to what you should have been feeding them to have gotten them to the size they were meant to be. Feed store employees don't always give the best advice... Thank you for sharing so we all can learn from your experience.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

I see that your from PA.... get your broilers from either Moyers in PA or Meyers from Oh....

Both have great broilers.

 

[BirdBrain]

Jaku said: "I respectfully disagree with birdbrain in a couple of areas. I don't think they need 30% protein- I don't think it will hurt them, but it's a waste of money."

You may be right that they don't need quite that high of protein but when I was looking for a feed I talked to a feed rep to be sure the feed didn't have some undesireable things in it. He told me that if I didn't want antibiotics in it to go with game bird feed. I believe that turkey starter is pretty high too. He said that all the kids in his area (at the time East Texas) who were growing out broilers for the stock shows and fairs were using game bird the whole way through. It didn't find the price that dramatically different. What was different was the price between brands. Purina Show Broiler was just as costly as the game bird. Another factor that may have affected my decision was that I had persuaded my DH to let me use the garage and I was on borrowed time. He told me I had six weeks for the project and then he wanted his garage back.

 

[Freebie]

I have about 20 pathetic chickens in the freezer right now. I can not even bring myself to eat any more of them. I am just going to give them away and follow the tips in this thread in the spring.