Ross 308s

[Littlebhuddha]

I have 9 six week old Ross 308 chickens. They are all over six lbs. My original plan was to harvest at 8 weeks but they are getting so big. This morning when I went out to feed them one was laying on it’s back with it’s feet up in the air. I thought it was dead but when I grabbed it, it started flapping. Apparently it had fallen over and couldn’t get up. Is it time to harvest now? They are eating about 3 lbs of broiler feed a day. Am I doing something wrong?

 

[sylviethecochin]

I'd process the one that couldn't get up, at the very least. I'd butcher the others within the next week, if they're having trouble doing basic functions.

In future, maybe limit feeding times or use a larger pen for these hybrids. Or switch to a different meat breed, if you want to butcher later. If you think a six-pound, six week-old chicken is what you want (hey, less feed invested) then just do the same thing again.

 

[RobertBMoore]

I have 9 six week old Ross 308 chickens. They are all over six lbs. My original plan was to harvest at 8 weeks but they are getting so big. This morning when I went out to feed them one was laying on it’s back with it’s feet up in the air. I thought it was dead but when I grabbed it, it started flapping. Apparently it had fallen over and couldn’t get up. Is it time to harvest now? They are eating about 3 lbs of broiler feed a day. Am I doing something wrong?

There is a condition - (more often seen in commercial broiler flocks) - known as DRS or Dorsal recumbency syndrome. DRS is a recently described condition in market-age broiler chickens. Affected broilers fall onto their backs and are unable to right themselves, eventually dying of cardiopulmonary insufficiency. These broilers are referred to as "turtle chickens." Common risk factors include higher live weight at slaughter and elevated temperatures during grow-out. Woody Breast - a condition associate with DRS has a significant impact on flock health.