Recent content by JohnL11935

We raise about 500 broilers per year (~350 Jumbo Cornish from MMM and ~150 Freedom Rangers). Took delivery of current batch of 90 males about two weeks ago. Since then we have lost 30%. Had the usual couple of DOA's and a few more on Day 2, but we continue to lose 2 to 5 birds per day ever...

Quote: ...Therefore, the biggest issue you will have with this concentration of confined CX's is manure. Seriously, be prepared for a muddy, stinky, fly attracting mess. How often do you plan on moving your dog kennel? Anything short of daily moves will mean an accumulation of waste that...

Quote: Another joke or has someone hacked into your account?

Quote: You expected a Whizbang Chicken Plucker to skin your rabbits? Is this a joke?

Scroll to the bottom of the page: http://www.cornerstone-farm.com/shrink_bags.htm

Quote: That's over 80 square feet per chicken. That's my point Tim. ~65,000 sq ft -- figure 100 sq ft per tractor x 12 tractors. Moving them every day with zero wasted space might get them to 8 weeks on fresh pasture. Most people that raise 800 birds at once are way past the casual flock...

Loose stool, skid marks and CX's go hand in hand. If the bird is otherwise acting fine and gaining weight I would let it grow to maturity.

Quote: Dude! You are raising 800 birds on an acre and a half? Is this a one shot deal or permanent site?

Quote: perfectly normal... +1 Once you get them processed and into a nice ice bath to cool down you will pull out chickens that look like they just came out of the grocery store but taste infinitely better. Don't let that reddness worry you. CX's are really quite ugly just prior to...

I've started as early as March 15th with putting them outside on April 1st. This year I will process the last batch the second weekend in November. Just like JoeG, I believe either end of extreme weather impacts growth rate. This past April when it was particularly cold and wet I felt my...

Minimum of 4 sq ft per bird for the coop. Minimum of 10 sq ft per bird for the run. Be very careful insulating too tightly. You want to prevent direct drafts on the birds while at the same time making sure there is adequate ventilation. You'd be surprised how well most chickens tolerate...

My rangers are 10 weeks today. This is my first time raising them. These birds are so big that about one week ago the roosters started crowing. I would like to butcher now but most of my customers are not ready for delivery. My concern (especially with the roosters) is that they are getting...

I heard this as well when I was starting out. The old timer at the feed store asked me a simple question: "Do you set out separate food for your flock rooster or does he eat the layer feed right alongside the hens?" He was setting me straight that the little calcium bump in layer feed was no...

Do you chicks have an active case of worms or is this some sort of "preventive" measure? I think you will find most folks on here stay away from preventive worm treatments.

General rule of thumb is 4 sq. ft. per bird inside and 10 sq. ft. per bird in the run. I'm thinking four birds.