What are the basics on raising meat birds?

[katbriar]

Katbriar,  when you say "slow" cornish x, are you refering to a specific strain/supplier or is it the way you are raising them that you are talking about?  I've had such bad luck with mortality rate that I'm hesitant to try again (FYI, no such luck with Freedom Rangers or Red Rangers).  However, I'm interested in learning what you are doing because the cost per chick is significantly lower with the CX.

It's a strain I got from Privett hatchery. They sell both the slow (12 finish) and fast (8 week finish) strains.

I thought since so many people talk about restricting access to feed so that the birds would not develop too quickly I might be ahead I get the strain that does that on its own. I can't feed more than twice a day, so being able to leave feed in front of them seemed like the better option.

We'll see how it goes- they just hit 5 weeks Monday so I've got 7 left! Processing is scheduled for July 4th weekend.