The Meatie weigh-along!

[BigDaddy'sGurl]

Quote:

I'm glad you were able to process him before he died. Sounds like everything worked out well. Have any pictures?

No pictures, sorry! I had a gang of children ranging from ten years down to three and I was trying to keep them as uninvolved as possible, so start to finish only took about fifteen minutes... I will get pics next time though and will try to get some just prior to cooking!

 

[Bubbles_erin]

So I weighed mine today, they are 7 weeks and are 3 lbs 10 oz. I think the weight is slowing because they free range, and are really starting to explore and because I had layer pellets that I mixed with the starter (so it was a mix of 16% and 20% food), when I buy food this week, I will only be buying 20% protein for all my birds. I have turkeys to slaughter the same time as the chickens so I will be fattening them up too. Still they are fat little boogers and like someone said I think on our other thread, they are actually quite entertaining. I am not falling for them per se, but they are hilarious. I will miss seeing their antics, but boy its stinky, and boy do they eat. Those two things are enough for me (plus a full freezer!). I can't wait for the food bill to go back down and the stink to be less! On another note: yesterday was a GREAT day, it was my b-day, I nailed an interview, and my pullets are now laying (got 6 lil eggs yesterday and one so far today)!

 

[In His Service]

Congratulations Bubbles_erin, and happy belated birthday!!

 

[PotterWatch]

Quote:
Thank you, I got you added to the new chart! And I forgot to ask in the OP, but what is your meaties' hatch date?

Here is updated info for my birds:

# of chicks and breed: 26 cornish cross
Hatchery source: Welp
Hatch Date: March 31
Brand and protein % of feed: Extreme chick starter 18% until 4wks, then switch to Kruse Turkey/Game Grower 20%. Also adding Welp Super Broiler Vitamins to the water, daily.
Whether you are restricting feed or not: Started feed restriction at 5 days old.
Housing (after brooder): Tractor
Weights for each week (if you have them): Weight on Apr 8; average weight of 5oz.

 

[backyardmenagerie]

Here is the current chart. I am also trying to figure out how to make a line graph... hope to have that done tonight.

For the new group, I will have you chart up later today. For that one, I have:
PotterWatch
Chicken Algebra
Matrix Escapee
Am I missing anyone? Anyone else want to join?

PS. Please note the dates in the weekly boxes. InHisService, your weigh day was yesterday. Thank you!
And Renee', if you're still out there, we miss you!

 

[backyardmenagerie]

For the more visual among us:

ETA: So this pretty much reinforces what we were seeing in the chart - that Tgrlily, with her 26% protein gamebird feed, is producing the most rapid growth, and that those of us feed 18% protein are producing the slowest and most gradual growth.

 

[backyardmenagerie]

Group 2:

 

[Matrix Escapee]

And just to clarify, what is everyone using as the 1st week? 7 days from hatch, or 7 full days of feeding?
Reason I ask, is that my birds were hatched on a wednesday, but I did not get them until friday. So, they would not have gotten 1 full day's worth of feed until Saturday morning. Tomorrow morning then would be 7 full days of being fed for my birds. That is when I plan on weighing.

 

[backyardmenagerie]

I, and many others in the first group, have been going off 7 days from hatch - I personally have my butcher date set based on their hatch date. You bring up a good point about not having a full weeks worth of food at that point, I hadn't thought about that. You can do it whichever way you prefer.

 

[PotterWatch]

I have another batch of 26 coming in next week as well.