Raising our 1st set of CX meaties

[Angelicisi]

Crook is doing ok, hobbling along still.

Chickens are growing...averaging 5.25-5.5lbs a few days ago when we weighed them. They range further now which is awesome but this mornings rain today made them filthy lol

The new batch of chicks are doing great. No issues, they're LOVIN the FF. I put a scoop of mixed grains in and added a bowl of sand...grit.
It's been cold so I don't think they'll be going out to a coop this week. Hopefully next week

 

[Angelicisi]

8 weeks tomorrow...

 

[LindaB220]

8 weeks tomorrow...

Wait a minute. That can't be right!! You just got them!

 

[BCMaraniac]

Only thing is for the spring, I won't be able to get the cheap price that I got this batch. They only sell one time each year and you have to order in November with an arrival date in January. With paying such a cheap price, I doubt seriously if I pay hatchery cost. That is WAY too much money to pay. I would pay that for pullets but not for broilers.

I don't know how you feel about TSC, but you can order specific breeds from them, and pick them up there. I think they cost $2.00 each, though. I don't know what hatchery they would come from, I guess it would depend on where you are located.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Only thing is for the spring, I won't be able to get the cheap price that I got this batch. They only sell one time each year and you have to order in November with an arrival date in January. With paying such a cheap price, I doubt seriously if I pay hatchery cost. That is WAY too much money to pay. I would pay that for pullets but not for broilers.

I don't know how you feel about TSC, but you can order specific breeds from them, and pick them up there.  I think they cost $2.00 each, though.  I don't know what hatchery they would come from, I guess it would depend on where you are located.

TSC is good. I have saw the chicks they have during chick days. I may look into it. Thanks for the tip.

 

[kuntrygirl]

8 weeks tomorrow...

The larger ones are 8 weeks?

Your and mine are the same age right? We got them the same time.

How much do your babies weigh? I think mine are growing too fast. I'm getting nervous.

 

[BCMaraniac]

TSC is good. I have saw the chicks they have during chick days. I may look into it. Thanks for the tip.

We have a co-op that will order chicks too, but I don't know what they cost.

 

[kuntrygirl]

TSC is good. I have saw the chicks they have during chick days. I may look into it. Thanks for the tip.

We have a co-op that will order chicks too, but I don't know what they cost.

You may want to give them a call and check on price. I got an great price on mine.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Good to hear they're growing again! I have read the last two weeks they can eat what they consumed all weeks prior and have a giant growth spurt.
I culled the 2 chicks.
A lot of time and effort for very lil chance on a meatie was too much. Cost and time efficiency is important to us but I've been trying for a couple days and they were just too far gone I think. The nervous system was wrecking havoc on their bodies so I think it was for the best. Still sucks even if they are to be eaten I want them healthy and happy.

Haha @ cold 40! That might as well be Antarctica to me lol
My plan was at 2 weeks into the hoop coop! I was worried about the weather but as you said their body heat is crazy hot, so I think by the end of this week ill put them outdoors.

I LOVE our plucker and was only about $10 to make!

Angelicisi, I don't know about the failure to thrive chicks.  Maybe culling would be the best? 

I'm in southern AZ, and had my chicks out just before 2 weeks old. On the "colder" nights, I cover their A-frame pen.  By colder, I mean in the 40s (I'm sure some people would laugh that I even classify that as cold).  These guys generate so much body heat that I wasn't too worried about them being outside with hardly any feathers. 

Also, that post I wrote 4-days ago about the chicks not being big enough to process as Cornish game hens?  Yeah, they're huge now.  I haven't weighed them, but certainly big enough. 

Oh, and I meant to make a drill attached plucker this weekend, I just need a pvc end cap.  I was even at Lowe's and forgot the end cap.  I'll be processing 4, maybe 6, this weekend. 

Is your plucker a 55 gallon barrel or just what's in the pic? Do you have to hold the birds or will it be placed in something so that it will be plucked that way? I have seen a few different types of pluckers.

 

[Angelicisi]

Yup batch number 2 on this thread is 8 weeks today

We will be processing a set of larger ones because people who want them want them at NON super sizes lol
Theyre all healthy and growing still, foraging farther and farther.. exploring nest boxes...they don't lay early too right? Didn't even think of longer lives, they could all make it with the flock for years I'd bet...under a watchful eye with food lol
But probably half Monday and half the following Sunday I'm excited. A lot of work I wanna see a yummy product!