when are cornish x butchered

[raspeary]

just wondering what the average age of the cornish rocks are when they get butchered. I read somewhere anywhere between 6-8 weeks. Mine are 7 weeks old today.

 

[vortec]

I butchered mine at 6 weeks and had plenty of meat. I will wait a little longer on the next batch. I have heard anywhere from 10-12 weeks is fine. The longer you wait the heavier they get though.

vortec

 

[OSUman]

i know someone who had theirs for 5 months and it was 22 pounds im not sure it was true but im pretty sure it was

 

[beak]

We just butchered ours today. They were exactly 10 weeks. We only fed about 3 lbs a day to 24 birds. They averaged 6-7 lbs. Had huge breasts and wings. We were very happy with them. They were gross to raise, but we will do it again. Have to figure out a batter feed and water method. We didn't have a run for them. Just a coop. They need a run. Had 4 die over the 10 weeks.

 

[vortec]

Yeah, that is the bad part of raising cornish x. They are nasty and they have a high attrition rate. I had one of two of mine die. I hope to do a little better on the next batch. I also will raise these again as there is no other breed that has such a great feed to meat ratio. It just dosen't happen. While they are not pretty to look at, they sure do their job as far as making a lot of meat-FAST!

vortec

 

[jamieneenah]

Quote:
3 Pounds a day total of feed???? I had just over 3 times that many birds, by 4 weeks they were eating 40+ pounds a day most days!

Jamie

 

[Huny]

They aren't like normal chickens they will over eat like ducks. Watch the feed intake, or you will have fat instead of protein.

 

[raspeary]

Quote:
I definitely agree on the gross factor. They also don't like to go inside the coop at nite either adn they don't like being picked up to be put into it. Can't wait till it's butcher day. i think we are going to wait at least a couple more weeks becasue since they've been in the coop and allowed outside, they haven't gained as much weight to be ready to butcher.

 

[cassie]

Quote:
Gee. Our ten weekers dressed out between 8 1/2 to 13 1/2 pounds with most being in the 11 pound range. We fed a LOT more than three pounds of feed a day, though.

 

[beak]

Quote:
Gee. Our ten weekers dressed out between 8 1/2 to 13 1/2 pounds with most being in the 11 pound range. We fed a LOT more than three pounds of feed a day, though.

I read the postings about them getting fat and also dying from organ failure. So decided to cut back on the feed. They all came in 1 to 2 lbs higher than a store bought broiler. They are delicious too, so I'll probably follow the same regime again. Plus that feed gets expensive and 13 lbs is small turkey territory.