The Grand Experiment

[4 ever Orpington]

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.

Watching!

 

[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]

Interesting waterers....more info, please?

I made the one with yellow waterers and bought the other from QC Supply. I really like the one from QC a lot better than what I did but wish it was a bit shorter.

 

[aart]

I made the one with yellow waterers and bought the other from QC Supply. I really like the one from QC a lot better than what I did but wish it was a bit shorter.

Thanks. Don't see the yellow ones.
Found this,
https://www.qcsupply.com/422148-game-bird-activator-only.html
too bad not more info there.

 

[rjohns39]

What info would you like? I like the little trays attached to the pins, keeps the mess down. You can hook it up to a garden hose or do like I do, and use a five gallon bucket to feed it. It's fairly simple to clean, but trust me the "no perch" wire doesn't work. All of my birds have figured out how to perch on the "no perch" wire.

 

[aart]

What info would you like? I like the little trays attached to the pins, keeps the mess down. You can hook it up to a garden hose or do like I do, and use a five gallon bucket to feed it. It's fairly simple to clean, but trust me the "no perch" wire doesn't work. All of my birds have figured out how to perch on the "no perch" wire.

I get the supply piping and regulator part.
I like the little trays too.
Does trigger pin go up and down like a Vertical Nipple?
How does it seal, like a VN or an HN....or something different?
Do they leak?
How does it attach to pipe?
Actually wants to hold one in my hand, then take it apart to see how it all works

 

[Mimi13]

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.

Sounds like they had the wrong person answer that call.

 

[rjohns39]

I get the supply piping and regulator part.
I like the little trays too.
Does trigger pin go up and down like a Vertical Nipple?
How does it seal, like a VN or an HN....or something different?
Do they leak?
How does it attach to pipe?
Actually wants to hold one in my hand, then take it apart to see how it all works

It is definitely a vertical Nipple, just with the tray glued on to the bottom of the nipple. They don't leak any more than a regular vertical nipple, but the tray catches the leaks. It came as an assembly so they attached the nipples at the factory (no clue how, never looked). And on the regulator there's a female garden hose connection.

 

[aart]

It is definitely a vertical Nipple, just with the tray glued on to the bottom of the nipple. They don't leak any more than a regular vertical nipple, but the tray catches the leaks.

Thanks. I'll bet that tray adds some weight and helps it seal.

 

[KLIL]

Well here are the kids on day one... They hatched on 10/2
View attachment 1551730 View attachment 1551734 View attachment 1551740 View attachment 1551744

Im here watching
They are super cute omg!!!