Some meat birds growing much faster than others - What up?

[MeatBird]

We use birds from Foster Farms hatchery that supplies all of north Louisiana. Most commercial operations raise birds 7-8 weeks and end up with a 6-7lb bird. We manage our show birds a whole lot more intensively than a commercial grower. We also use show feed which would be uneconomical if you were trying to make money on them or just put them in the freezer. Try $225 of feed for 75 birds. We have raised them on a regular broiler chow from the Co-Op and ended up with birds in the 6lb range after 42 days. If you manage thier enviroment instead of just turning them out in the yard, you can have 6lb birds in 6-7 weeks

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Quote:
More than likely the draft from the hamster cage and dog kennel slowed them down. It's important that first two weeks to eliminate any drafts. Before two weeks chicks can't regulate their body temp so it's important to keep them warm and keep the drafts away. An aquarium would hold the heat and keep the draft out.

I raise mine in a greenhouse and in the greenhouse I have two foot walls around the brooder and take them down after the chicks get two weeks.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

that's something I wouldn't have thought of Jeff, good info to remember