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

[Sally Sunshine]

You bet!

You can wait longer to process if they are under weight, but you risk heart attacks of course. What % protein are you feeding?

thats what my doctor said too


18% grower

 

[sideWing]

thats what my doctor said too


18% grower

That might be the reason. I use 21%-24% grower feed. 18% may make it a bit slower.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

That might be the reason. I use 21%-24% grower feed. 18% may make it a bit slower.

hmmmm I thought the higher protein was why they get leg issues! oh well, I will weigh and see what we got! and report back thanks much!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

OH geezzzzz so I get out my receipt freaking because of the weigh in and here I wrote down the wrong est10 week processing date on the calendar!

they were only 8 weeks old yesterday! They have 2 more weeks to grow yet!

pullets 4 lbs 9oz
cockerels 5 lbs 5 oz



I think we are on track right?

 

[Sally Sunshine]

miss conversations with Bee! what happened to @Beekissed

 

[fisherlady]

OH geezzzzz so I get out my receipt freaking because of the weigh in and here I wrote down the wrong est10 week processing date on the calendar!

they were only 8 weeks old yesterday! They have 2 more weeks to grow yet!



pullets 4 lbs 9oz
cockerels 5 lbs 5 oz



I think we are on track right?

They are a pound or so behind where ours have been at that age but may just be the hatchery strain, each hatchery does there own breeding refinements so there can be quite a difference in product.
You can keep them until you are happy with their live weight as long as they stay healthy looking and are continuing to gain weight. If their growth rate begins to slow down a lot then you are probably better off butchering because it will cost you more in feed than an extra few ounces of meat is worth.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

They are a pound or so behind where ours have been at that age but may just be the hatchery strain, each hatchery does there own breeding refinements so there can be quite a difference in product.
You can keep them until you are happy with their live weight as long as they stay healthy looking and are continuing to gain weight. If their growth rate begins to slow down a lot then you are probably better off butchering because it will cost you more in feed than an extra few ounces of meat is worth.

thank you! where do you get yours? I am sure you told me but I didnt take notes and to find in this thread would take forever!

 

[fisherlady]

thank you!  where do you get yours? I am sure you told me but I didnt take notes and to find in this thread would take forever!

Mt healthy hatchery, out of Ohio. We've had good success with their stock so far.

 

[BantyChooks]

I've got a question....
To process or not to process?
I have 2 BLRW roos that I am thinking about having the neighbor kill. The only reason for doing this would be that I'd like to get some others, and as I have 4 roosters total now, I can't get any more. I don't feel comfortable re-homing them as they have some issues with their health that would be fine for eating but not good for another person's flock. These guys are also not fertile, and I really want to hatch chicks. That's my question---what would you guys do? I'm torn... they are so nice to people. Thanks so much.

 

[fisherlady]

It sounds like you understand the options and thankfully are responsible enough to not risk someone else's flock. It is an unfortunate fact in chicken keeping that there are more roosters than needed.
If they aren't right for your breeding program and their health prevents you from selling them then humanely dispatching them is probably the best option.
We raise a lot of chicks with broodies each year, our Stock is generally friendly and usually very nice examples of the breeds we keep, but only a rare cockrel stays, and since it is rare to find anyone who wants a rooster we regularly butcher them at about 18 -20 weeks.
It is an unpleasant fact of life when raising poultry.