We got 6 cornish x as a trial before doing a larger batch. They are 8 weeks old and while there are no health issues, we think we are ready to at least butcher the largest ones. We weighed them this afternoon and we have three at 8 pounds, one at 7.8 pounds and then the two smaller ones - one runty roo and the lone hen who are 5.8 and 5.6 pounds respectively.
My question is, on the smaller two, would it be better to butcher now and have a couple of smaller birds OR butcher the other four and let those two go maybe another week to add on a little more weight? Is there a benefit to butchering smaller?
Will they do as well if there are just two of them left? They ARE outside at this point but upstate NY has slipped back into a cold spell. With 6 of them snuggling together in an insulated dog crate, they have been warm enough, but not sure if two of them would fare as well. And I don't know that putting them in with my other chicks is an option. Their coop is raised off the ground with a ramp and I'm not sure the Xs could navigate it.
Would love to hear some thoughts.
My question is, on the smaller two, would it be better to butcher now and have a couple of smaller birds OR butcher the other four and let those two go maybe another week to add on a little more weight? Is there a benefit to butchering smaller?
Will they do as well if there are just two of them left? They ARE outside at this point but upstate NY has slipped back into a cold spell. With 6 of them snuggling together in an insulated dog crate, they have been warm enough, but not sure if two of them would fare as well. And I don't know that putting them in with my other chicks is an option. Their coop is raised off the ground with a ramp and I'm not sure the Xs could navigate it.
Would love to hear some thoughts.
