***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[Kassaundra]

Quote:
Now that's what I'm talking about!

The next best thing to having someone do it for me.

I'm somewhat suprised at the dislikes for the CXs. We've raised 50 of them in a 10x10 area and I didn't think they were terribly messy. We bedded them on woodchips and I'd stir them 5 or 6 times a day. Once they were getting nasty, we'd do a complete change. I don't remember changing them more than 3 times before the birds were ready though.
Do most people butcher them when they get to a certain weight, or do they just feed them for a certain number of weeks and then butcher. Last time we raised some, the biggest birds weighed 9lbs (live). Some friends of ours raised some and sold them all live to people wanting them to butcher. Do any of you do something like that?

I don't specifically dislike CX, I even considered them for a while, and if I am unable to learn to caponize I will have to reconsider raising CX. I just don't want "batches" that have to be processed in a rush, and I want the chickens to "man" the moat and help w/ gardening / bug patrol and I like the idea of raising my own from my own flock perpetuating itself, not having to keep buying and shipping and all that goes w/ that. I really think if I can't caponize I will just live w/ harvesting small boys b/c I can't have all the crowing living in town. I understand the way I want to do it will be less cost effective then CX.

 

[Bo Garrett]

Quote:
If they are bled out properly before picking they won't bruise.

Bo

 

[sjarvis00]

Quote:
Now that's what I'm talking about!

The next best thing to having someone do it for me.

I'm somewhat suprised at the dislikes for the CXs. We've raised 50 of them in a 10x10 area and I didn't think they were terribly messy. We bedded them on woodchips and I'd stir them 5 or 6 times a day. Once they were getting nasty, we'd do a complete change. I don't remember changing them more than 3 times before the birds were ready though.
Do most people butcher them when they get to a certain weight, or do they just feed them for a certain number of weeks and then butcher. Last time we raised some, the biggest birds weighed 9lbs (live). Some friends of ours raised some and sold them all live to people wanting them to butcher. Do any of you do something like that?

I don't specifically dislike CX, I even considered them for a while, and if I am unable to learn to caponize I will have to reconsider raising CX. I just don't want "batches" that have to be processed in a rush, and I want the chickens to "man" the moat and help w/ gardening / bug patrol and I like the idea of raising my own from my own flock perpetuating itself, not having to keep buying and shipping and all that goes w/ that. I really think if I can't caponize I will just live w/ harvesting small boys b/c I can't have all the crowing living in town. I understand the way I want to do it will be less cost effective then CX.

I always ordered 100 at a time, processed 25 a wee starting at 4 weeks of age that gave me multiple sizes for dinner.

 

[Elwood Lightfoot]

Quote:
If they are bled out properly before picking they won't bruise.

Bo

If what I have learned from the youtube vidieos are true if the fingers are the right stiffness and the plate spins right it shouldn't do any damag to the birds, I am about to start building mine when I get a couple other projects done first so I am hoping for the right outcome for mine, I think I have it all planned out in my head well the trial runs should start in a few weeks LOL I have my fingers crossed LOL

 

[Elwood Lightfoot]

That would be my fingers, Not the chicken plucking fingers

 

[Elwood Lightfoot]

Quote:
JEANNIE!!!! I wish you could have seen your Goosey this weekend he was such a Gentleman he protected me and the visiting ladies for all he was worth even let Rebecca pick him up a few times he was very much on his best behavior I can't say the same for the male pig of mine he was kinda a. well, I guess just a pig... but I can say he really seemed to like Rebecca I was showing off all my projects and critters and I was most pleased with my Goosey LOL

 

[Amy Farah Fowler]

Quote:
I thought about making one too. Found the fingers on ebay and I have access to a cnc plasma cutter, so I could cut parts... just haven't bitten the bullet yet. If you make one, be sure and share how you did it!

 

[jcatblum]

I have looked at the wizbang but cost wise for building plus time to build leads me to feel buying a tub plucker would be a better deal for my family. But then I would have to store the plucker! Dh already gives me grumpy looks anytime I put anything in the barn.
If I could raise up 50 at a time & pay someone to come to my place & butcher them or even butcher on shares it would be worth it for me. Right now I am leaning towards the red meat maker from nolls.

 

[sjarvis00]

Quote:
Now that's what I'm talking about!

The next best thing to having someone do it for me.

I'm somewhat suprised at the dislikes for the CXs. We've raised 50 of them in a 10x10 area and I didn't think they were terribly messy. We bedded them on woodchips and I'd stir them 5 or 6 times a day. Once they were getting nasty, we'd do a complete change. I don't remember changing them more than 3 times before the birds were ready though.
Do most people butcher them when they get to a certain weight, or do they just feed them for a certain number of weeks and then butcher. Last time we raised some, the biggest birds weighed 9lbs (live). Some friends of ours raised some and sold them all live to people wanting them to butcher. Do any of you do something like that?

the Cornish x fast broilers are often a poor choice to try to make money on, they eat alot.
I order 100 at a time sometimes 3 times all staged a few weeks apart. Start processing when they 4 weeks old 25 a week, so its spread out then we have 2 1/2 lb for cornich hens, 3-1/2 lbs for stews soups etc. and then friers, then the big roasters. it allows for more variation in the meals. Of course I also have packages of 10 oe cockrells too thier like eating big quail.

For the market the slow broilers that are 10 week birds and will range and forage are much better option they require 1/2 the actual feed input of teh cornish x for the first 4 weeks and will forage for 50% or better of thier feed requirements past that point. at 10 weeks they are 71/2 lb live weight. 12 weeks would be the 9lb bird. a little longer to finish but still less invested. I would think that would make a little $$

 

[Kassaundra]

Quote:
I've seen a small version made from a drill and mounted on a table, you can only do one bird at a time and you hold the bird while it does it's thing. It is much less expensive to make, and a lot less complecated and easier to store. If I ever make a plucker it will be that one.