How much should a broiler chicken weigh: if the weight gain is insufficient or excessive, adjust the menu
Broilers (hybrids of meat chickens) differ from layers by their large carcass. These birds are bred for quick fattening for meat.
Keeping hybrids on a farm is profitable because with proper care and feeding, chickens steadily gain weight every day. They grow faster than layers, which reduces the cost of the carcass.
When fattening chickens, it is important to weigh them regularly and adjust the menu if weight gain is insufficient or excessive.
Broiler chickens are born large - on average about 42 grams, which is about 1.5 times more than that of egg-laying breeds. They are distinguished by a strong build and large paws.
Subsequently, weight gain depends on the conditions of their maintenance, nutrition and health.
It is recommended to weigh the broiler at the age of 10 days. If a healthy chick gains about 200-250 grams by this time, then you can assume that everything is done correctly (a deviation from this norm by 5-20 grams is not critical).
At the age of one and a half weeks, the broiler begins to actively grow and gain weight. It is recommended to weigh it every week. By the 15th day, the chick should gain up to 500 grams, and by 3 weeks - 800-850 grams.
At the age of one month, the broiler should already weigh about 1.5 kilograms. By this age, the bird can already be slaughtered.
By the 60th day of life, a broiler usually gains 2-3 kilograms, which is a normal weight for a healthy bird. Further fattening does not make sense, since the meat becomes less useful and juicy, and the bird accumulates excess fat.
At three months, a chicken can gain up to 4 kilograms, but such a result requires large expenditures on feed, and the cost of the carcass will be higher. Usually, broilers are slaughtered at the age of up to two months.
Previously, we listed 5 myths about cats that it’s high time to stop believing.
