2016 Meat Birds at 6 Weeks Old

Like at Weight Watchers, we gather at the scale every Thursday evening with a sharp eye on the scale.  One difference, however.  We are hoping for weight GAIN - in our chickens, that is.  We're tracking the weight on our meat birds.  We have had stellar spring weather, and I think the birds are really benefiting from sunshine, dry pasture grounds and the corresponding growth of pasture grass to snack on, supplementing their 18% Chick Grower.

We are watching 1 Cornish Cross closely.  He seems to be experiencing some genetic leg issues that are very common with the breed due to rapid weight gain. The bird is wobbly, rocking back and forth.  To be honest, I don't like to see this in an animal.  While totally healthy otherwise, I don't want to see him struggle like this for another two weeks as the problem will only get worse as he eats more and grows bigger.  I think that I'll butcher him this weekend and put him in the freezer.  Other than that one bird, the flock is the healthiest we've ever had.

Let's see if the proof is in the pudding.  Do the facts bear that out?  Here are our two marked birds side by side.  Yes, the Cornish Cross is noticeably larger, but that is expected.

Red Ranger and Cornish Cross side by side

First up, the Cornish Cross.  He flaps his wings and steps on the scale, his large frame filling the top of the kitchen scale.

The Biggest Loser?  No, he was the winner...

He weighs 5 pounds 1 ounce this week.

Tipping the scales at a tad over 5 pounds

This old boy gained 1 pound and one ounce over the last week and compared with the same week last year, he weighs a whopping 2 pounds and 8 ounces more!

Let's see what the slower growing Red Ranger did this week in the weight gain department.  He is a "rangier," more active bird.  I put him in the bucket to bring him into the garage and he promptly flew out and I had to catch him again.  The Cornish Cross?  He couldn't do that to save his life!

 

Lean, but active and growing

The Red Ranger weighs 2 pounds and 3 ounces this week.

Breaking the 2 pound threshold

So to get down to brass tacks, he's gained 10 ounces since last week.  That's pretty good for the Red Ranger.  He is almost a pound heavier than the Red Rangers at the same time last year.

Plans for this weekend include putting down another feed container for them.  They have outgrown the gutter I use as a feed trough.  As they get bigger and bigger, there's simply not enough room around the "supper table" for all of them.  I'll remedy that this weekend, so no one skips a meal.

 

Needing more elbow room

It appears we're right on track to butcher the Cornish Cross meat birds at 8 weeks if things continue to progress.