size of tractor for 25 White Rock (cornish X)

[Minky]

I read this very interesting blog on here about someone who raised meat chicks, and found that there was a certain ratio (space to chick space ratio) that worked best for growing healthy meat birds. Like too much space was bad (lack of competition?) Is this what others have found?

I was thinking a tractor 8 x8 for 25 meat birds? What do you think? that's about 2.5 sq ft a bird?
but then some space would be taken up by feeder and waterer etc...

Too big? too small?

 

[RUNuts]

Sounds about right. You will get a lot of different opinions. Some as low as 1. More space is better. Just beware of the poop factor. If you have that many, plan on moving the tractor twice a day. I have fewer and move the tractor once a day.

Each case is different. Watch the birds and do what you think is best! Cheers!

 

[Minky]

cool, thanks!

 

[Casastash]

We just made out tractor 8x6 for 20 Cornish x at 3 weeks old they have lots of room by 5 weeks they should be large enough to free range outside the tractor... or that is our plan

We just made ours out of scraps we had on hand and it was easy and works great!

 

[Phunktacular]

This is my first round with more than just a few of the Cornish Crosses. I've built a 6x6 tractor that is recommended on Lumna Acres. It is an amazing site and youtube channel. It is large enough for 25 meat birds and has convenient locations for feed and water to allow lots of space for the birds to roam around. I've found that, though they will roam a bit around the tractor, they don't do much foraging whatsoever. The best part of the tractor is that it can be build for between $30-$50. Really just depends on what your local stores have for cost of supplies. 8x8 won't hurt but, may be less manageable when time to move day to day.

 

[Minky]

Hi thanks for the reply!

We made it 8 x 8 and they are loving it. Tonight is their first overnight- its gonna et chilly (5 degrees C). I put a cardboard box with 3 walls and a roof (but no floor) inside the tractor so they can huddle, and we put a tarp over the whole thing, loosely enough I hope for some circulation.
I found they forage quite a bit, eat the clover etc.. They loved it.

 

[Minky]

Here it is in action! 25 birds at almost 4 week olds. Tractor is 8 x 8. Seems like a great size. I could probably fit 40 to maturity, and feel good about them having enough space.

 

[Lulubell65]

Hey !!! Your chicks look like Buffs .... That’s currently what I’m raisin and I was wonderin if that’s what there feathers look like coming in ??

 

[Minky]

My birds are White rock /Cornish X They are 4 weeks, 1 day and only 4 of mine I would say are fully feathered so far. There are a few that are still bare except wings! Most are 80%.

 

[Minky]

Just an update- my meat birds are at 6 weeks,2 days.
I still have the original 25.
4 are still not feathered on the butts or backs.
Most are finally looking "good" but not beauties by any means.
I move them twice a day and still the grass is caked with poop.
64 sq feet for 25 birds.
We have 1 that is no longer walking well.
I just weighed them (not all but I weighed about 3 bigger ones and 3 smallers ones)
All weights were between 6 1/4 lbs and 7 1/2 lbs.

I have a processing date for half the birds in 10 days.
My plan is to take the 12 largest birds including the one who is having trouble walking.
What sort of weight would i get from an 8 lb live weight bird?

Is this sort of weight (8lbs live) average for an 8 week old meat chick?

thanks