The Grand Experiment

[rjohns39]

How do I start this? I've raised Cobb, Ross, and unknown strains of CX. The problem is there's too many variables between each. So here's the experiment. In past experiments I've found that I get a better carcass size with feeding all they can eat in 45 minutes with a mortality rate of less than 3%. When I fed all they could eat in 30 minutes my mortality rate was around 2% but my carcass weight was less than 5lbs. When I fed free choice, carcass weight was 6-8 pounds with a 10% mortality rate. So for this experiment I'll feed what they can eat in 45 minutes every Sunday and adjust weekly. I have 40 ross708 and 40 cobb500 birds that will arrive tomorrow. The pro's have a 2:1 conversion rate while I've never gotten better that 3.46:1. In this test I'll be looking for what works best for me.

 

[rjohns39]

Well here are the kids on day one... They hatched on 10/2

 

[rjohns39]

Well the chicks are in the brooder. Lost one of the Ross in shipping, but looks like they added a few extras. Lost count when releasing them. Food, water with electrolyte and vitamin mix, chick grit and a little brewers yeast. Pics to follow when they show up on my computer. Cobb500 are in the right cell and the Ross708 are in the left.

 

[rjohns39]

There are several different strains of CX. The cobb500 and Ross708 are both slower growing birds that do better on grass. Cobb500s grow out fast early but slow down in the end and Ross708s start slow and then speed up in the end. Most hatcheries and feed stores just buy CX with no idea what strain they are. Most hatcheries who can provide specific strains aren't interested in dealing with the quantities that we buy. I actually had one hatchery who shall remain nameless tell me that if I wanted 300 birds every five weeks spring through fall, that I just wasn't worth their time and effort.

 

[Kiki]

Hi kiki... Birds are at the postal distro center. They'll be to me tomorrow early morning.

Woot!
I look forward to seeing how this turns out.
Pics along the way?

 

[rjohns39]

Hi Rj, I’m here too!
This is a cool experiment.
How many days/weeks do you anticipate it to take these birds to reach their potential?

They'll spend 3 weeks in the brooder and then stay on fresh grass for 35 days. 8 weeks total end to end.

ETA: I'm expecting about 450 pounds of meat from them.

 

[rjohns39]

At 3 weeks they move onto pasture in a tractor. I move them at sunrise every morning and at that point is when I restrict their feed. As we approach day 30ish they'll get moved twice a day.

 

[123RedBeard]

I wouldn't say that you failed at all ... you may not have reached your expectations, but you finished the course!

You also kept good records, and posted your final results here, so many people start a thread, and ... never post back the results ... drives me crazy ... or, maybe just crazier!

Thank you!

 

[rjohns39]

btw have no idea how this will come out

 

[Kessel23]

What is Cobb and Ross btw? I have only raised meat birds a few times, all of the times I raised them it was CX and idk what strain they were from.