Live Weight/Slaughter Weight?

[Baymule]

I am raising Cornish Cross for the first time. I would like a 4 to 5 pound slaughter weight carcass. Can anyone please tell me what the live weight is, in order to get the slaughter weight I desire? Thank you for your response!

 

[RUNuts]

@Baymule Why hello adorable!

Figure 70% of live weight to finished weight. Neglects organ meat. This appears to be the rule.

4 pounds divided by 0.7 = 5.71 pounds
5 pounds / 0.7 = 7.14 pounds

It is time for the freezer already?

 

[mixedbreeds]

Sounds about right I just butchared 3 cx that were 8 pounds each and dresses weight was 5 1/2 pounds not counting neck, gizzard, liver and heart.

 

[Baymule]

Thank you @RUNuts for that mathematical figgerin' LOL Chickens have a darn good meat ratio to live weight. I don't think they are quite ready, but they are getting close. Your avatar is a spiderwort flower, I don't have any growing on my place, but I think I'm about to dig some up off the side of the road and transplant them.

Thank you @mixedbreeds for your response. Your numbers give me an idea of what live weight to shoot for.

 

[RUNuts]

We planted some at the old place and Crazy Lady had to have them here. They are gorgeous in the morning! Also discovered they are edible and used as thickener like okra sick). Haven't tried one yet, but I'm working up to it. We like spiderwort.

Have a small patch in amongst the black eyed susans. Gorgeous.

Our CX are 8.5 weeks and last weekend had a conflict building another doghouse (you want a puppy?). Butcher tomorrow. Remember, I will work for chicken.

 

[Baymule]

If you are offering that cute black and white pup, I think your wife might give you away instead! LOL I have two age groups with the CX, the oldest is just 7 weeks, the second group is 6 weeks. Tomorrow I will get started on that rogue coop of Delawares......

 

[Baymule]

Didn’t get started on those nasty Delaware’s......I’m about to be up to my eyeballs in chicken! My husband bought me a fish scale today. I caught a big CX, put him in a (appropriately a Chicken Express take out bag) and hung it on the scale. 8 pounds, 10 ounces! Second chicken, 8 pounds, 8 ounces! I think I’m there.

 

[Baymule]

Didn’t get started on those nasty Delaware’s......I’m about to be up to my eyeballs in chicken! My husband bought me a fish scale today. I caught a big CX, put him in a (appropriately a Chicken Express take out bag) and hung it on the scale. 8 pounds, 10 ounces! Second chicken, 8 pounds, 8 ounces! I think I’m there.

 

[RUNuts]

Got the 5 in my back yard in the frig. The 2 cockerels are in brine!

The 3 pullets will wait until tomorrow to go to freezer. I didn't find a scale, but big, two handed birds.

The feed store is trying to home all their unsold pullets. @Baymule do you need 100 layers too? I'm building a second tractor and am on my way to a second flock for meat. $2.50 for a 3 week old heritage pullet. I think I'm good. But I think I only need a handful. A few for replacement layers and the rest for meat.

BTW - the new B&W puppy does stay. But I have 6 others to choose from! Hurry, hurry , hurry, limited time offer!

Sounds like you are set for the rest of the year. Between the venison and these, I think we are good until fall when the second batch is ready. 4 short months away.

@Mrs. K - I got my five done and getting pullets for meat. Best wishes for yours!

 

[mixedbreeds]

I got 4 CX done today 9 1/2 pounds live, haven’t weighed finished product yet, layed the corn to them over the last week have nice little amount of fat now. They are 9 weeks today.