The Broiler Chronicles ~ Week 7 : The execution cometh......

[awesomefowl]

Hello everyone!
This will be to document my first foray into raising meat chickens.

Entry #1:
15 Cornish Cross (and 6 red pullets) coming tomorrow hopefully.

I ordered them from our local Agway, which is where I got the girls last year. I already have the brooder set up!


More news coming.

Week 1 weigh-in ~ Average weight 3.45 oz.
One was over 4 oz.

Mortality: 0

Week 2: under 1 lb. Mortality: 0

Week 3: Mortality: 1 Biggest chick weighs 1 lb. 9 oz., smallest chick about 3/4 lb.

Week 4: Mortality: 0 Biggest chick weighs 2 lbs., others average 1 lb. 10 oz.

Week 5: Mortality: 1 no weight scale too small!

Week 6: Mortality: 1 ---

 

[ChickyLaura]

Oh, cool! I'm getting 15 Cornish X from Ideal tomorrow morning! My brooder's all set up and ready to go!

I am working on my first batch of meaties right now - they're almost 4 weeks old. They're doing very well. I figured I'd get one more batch in and in the freezer before summer hits, when it gets really hot. How exciting!!!

 

[PotterWatch]

Good luck! I have 9 cornish that will be ready for processing in about 2-3wks and another 25 that will arrive next week.

 

[awesomefowl]

They are all doing great and peeping.
here's one:

 

[ChickyLaura]

Very cute! I was expecting the call from the PO first thing in the morning yesterday, and they didn't call. I even called to see if they had the chicks there. The poor little chicks didn't get there until yesterday afternoon. They actually seemed more stressed than any other chicks I've had shipped in, but all are alive and healthy, and doing very well now!

This will be interesting to chronicle! I have 9 out in the coop under a red light that were born on 2/28. They are huge compared to these little chicks! It's interesting to see how quickly they grow. All I know is that my freezer will be stuffed, and I'm looking forward to home-grown chicken on the grill.

Keep us posted!!!

 

[Dogfish]

68 arrived today from Welp. The "cute" last 5 days, maybe 6.

 

[ChickyLaura]

Quote:
Yes, I understand completely!!!

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

I don't know I have a hundred right now going on a week and a half and still cute!

 

[awesomefowl]

Still doing great..I wish the snow would melt so they can start eating some grass.

 

[PotterWatch]

I picked up a couple of mine while we were moving the tractor today. It's incredible how much they weigh compared to a layer bird of about the same size. Mine are almost 7wks and we have been planning to butcher around 8-9wks. Really looking forward to seeing our new plucker in action! We'll be putting the next 25 in the tractor about the same time as this batch is ready for processing. Looking forward to some nice chicken dinners in the coming weeks!