Processing Day Support Group ~ HELP us through the Emotions PLEASE!

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Meaties should get 20% protein?
How do I add more protein to my mash?

I ran into this http://ramblingredneckmom.blogspot.com/2011/04/how-to-process-chickens-at-home.html


"They are cornish cross from Tractor Supply. They are seven weeks old, about the average age of all the chicken you get in a store. They are fed a 20% protein feed, no medication/antibiotics/hormones etc. These guys eat a LOT - in seven weeks, one dozen consumed about 200lbs of feed."


doing the math That's about $50 in feed for a doz for 7 weeks (assuming 7 weeks is the norm?)

You aren't making cheap chicken, that's for sure. We figure that one Cornish X will cost us $12 in feed over the 7-8 weeks it's alive. 7-8 weeks is the norm, you could let them go as long as nine weeks, but in those later weeks you're putting more and more feed into them for not as much weight gain--your growth curve has flattened out so you're needing more and more feed per dressed pound of chicken.

20-23% protein is correct. To up the protein, the easiest way is to use a Purina Flock Raiser type product that is 20%, or a game bird feed. Our local company makes a 35% protein supplement that we add to ground corn to bring the protein back down to 20%.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Don't TSC order from ideal?

Depends where you are. Here in Central Ohio, TSC orders from Mt. Healthy, which is near Cincinnati.

 

[ronott1]

Quote: Here in Woodland CA, Tractor Supply Center will order them in for you--6 chick min.
Don't TSC order from ideal?
Chookschicks has Konza Rangers. Check them out.

 

[chiques chicks]

And I'll probably butcher a few (read, roosters) mixed Orpington chicks I have when they get larger, just to see how they are.
Honest opinion, Cornish cross were great eating, nasty to raise, smelly, lazy, dirty, just bad. That is why I didn't buy any this year, even when they were $.70 and already a couple weeks of feeding done. And I only had 6, plus one died.
Only plus, lots of meat, fast.

 

[fisherlady]

Meaties should get 20% protein?
How do I add more protein to my mash?

I ran into this http://ramblingredneckmom.blogspot.com/2011/04/how-to-process-chickens-at-home.html


"They are cornish cross from Tractor Supply. They are seven weeks old, about the average age of all the chicken you get in a store. They are fed a 20% protein feed, no medication/antibiotics/hormones etc. These guys eat a LOT - in seven weeks, one dozen consumed about 200lbs of feed."


doing the math That's about $50 in feed for a doz for 7 weeks (assuming 7 weeks is the norm?)

If need be you could probably get your local feed mill to mix a 20% in bulk. Many will do it for a 500lb minimum. I believe the chick starter is like 24% and the turkey/game bird starter is also really high. So you could probably mix your own based on percentages or weight with a bit of math figuring.
If I was looking to feed meaties on a regular basis (which I may be in the future since we are really liking the taste of our own grown birds) then I will be headed to the local mill to talk to them about my feed mix options. Probably a lot cheaper in the long run.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Using Older Chickens for Meat Purposes
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/using-older-chickens-for-meat-purposes


"For an ideal older bird meal, even if you are stewing/using a crockpot, one should let the bird sit covered in a fridge for at least 3-4 days. If you are using clean processing techniques (as you always should!), there is minimal to no concern for contamination. I personally have let processed birds sit in the fridge for a week or so, give or take a few days."


just sharing as I read!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote:

COOL!

Now does a Roo taste better than a hen or other? second link wont work but I can search ooops it works my bad laptop connection!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: I called the feed mill and all they do is make layer mash, flock raiser costs a lot of cash! but I didn't ask them about a protein supplement, day late and dollar short yet again!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote:Originally Posted by ronott1

Quote:
Chookschicks has Konza Rangers. Check them out.

does she have a page on them?

 

[Sally Sunshine]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...d-heavy-layer-25-shipped-buy-it-now-beakhouse