So, in the continuing saga of not keeping good enough records, here goes 2023 meat birds!
Ordered 50 birds, got 52 shipped. Lost one on day 3, likely smothered by the others. I also ordered 5 hens and got 5. At 9 weeks they are going strong.
Total cost for chickens (including 5 new hens): $127.25
Total cost for 25 bags of meat chick food: $528.34 (21.13/bag includes tax)
We had a pretty warm, little rain summer other than one very hot week half way through their lives. They all did well, other than one who couldn't walk after week 4 or so and another 1 that did the same later, but then was starting to recover when we butchered. They were both very small compared to the others. We butchered them all over 2 days, just before and on their 8 week mark. They were nice and robust, but a bit smaller than last year because of the shorter time frame. All food was fed dry this year for simplicity. We had three bags left in the end. I bought two additional large waterers for about $40.
Butchered over the two days:
Day 1: Evan hatched, Dad plucked, Marcee and Kelby gutted and floated everywhere. Started by 9:45-10 and were done and cleaned up outside by noon. Had lunch and then did the weighing and bagging.
Day 2: Evan hatched, Dad plucked, Garrett caught chickens and helped with the water bath, Kelby, Marcee, and Katherine gutted and I floated everywhere. We started just after 8 and were done and cleaned up by 10. Weighed, bagged, did organs and final wash up.
Dad was keeping track of the weights and only recorded 47 birds. So now the question is did we only have that many birds (which means we lost birds and didn't know) or did he miscount? Here's what he had down--and here's hoping that we have a few more in the freezer!
Mom and Dad took 6 birds, basically averaging 7 pounds. One bird was given to our helpers. The birds were very consistent, one over 8 pounds, one that was just under 3 pounds, but the rest were in the 6s and 7s with an average right over 7 pounds. If we did have a few more birds than were recorded I think the price/pound wouldn't have been much different than last year.
Total weight of birds: 328lb, 7 oz
Livers: 5lbs, 8 oz (a lot got tossed)
Hearts: 2 lbs
Gizzards: maybe 2 lbs--they were SO small this year. Total disappointment as the kids love them!
Total costs (includes hens and waterers): $695.59-$63.39 (feed that wasn't used) =$632.20
Total cost/pound for birds: $1.93/lb
Including organs: $1.87/lb
I may offer a few for sale to make a little more room in the freezer and make a little back towards the costs.
Sold 5 birds for $140, $4/pound. Another 4 birds may go out the door as well.
