Live vs. butchered weight? How much?

[maggiemooscluckers]

I have been weighing my cornish slow broilers weekly and am getting anxious to get started with the butchering. What is the average difference between the live weight versus the butchered weight. If I let the roosters get to 7lbs live can I expect to have a 4.5 to 5 lb freezer bird?

 

[math ace]

bump, I would love to see a response

 

[bigredfeather]

You lose about a third of the live weight. A chicken that weighs 6 pounds alive should dress out about 4 pounds.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

yes .25 to .33%

 

[noahsark]

Wouldnt you think "dressed" weight would mean weight fully clothed...and naked weigh would be the processed wieght? LOL!!

 

[maggiemooscluckers]

Thanks for the replies. I kinda thought that a 7-71/2 lb bird would probably give me a good sized camper for the freezer. I don't need them to be humongous since I only feed the Mr. and myself. Thanks again and I'll let you know how the butchering goes.