When you're doing Cornish Hens, do they ever make it out of the brooder?

[DanIndiana]

It seems like it's 3-4 weeks for them to reach the recommended 2 1/2 lbs live weight. Would you just keep them in the brooder until it's time to process?
Thanks

 

[mstricer]

Yes, they stink. I put mine outside at 3 weeks. They get big fast after the fourth week. When I take them to 8 weeks, the boys usually weigh close to 8lbs after processing. The next batch do I'm only growing them to 5 1/2 weeks, so they are not so big.

 

[DanIndiana]

But what if your processing at 2 1/2 lbs live weight for tiny Cornish Hen Size? Do you bother to move them out of the brooder, or just keep them inside the whole time?

 

[madamwlf]

I usually put mine outside at 2 weeks if the weather is good. I can't keep a large amount of Cornish game hens in the house. This time around we plan to have them processed at 5 weeks so they will have a bit more meat on them.