The first batch of broilers left the cozy confines of the brooder this weekend and are now enjoying the pasture. The grass is green and they are enjoying it. Now let me brag a little. Normally there is a small amount of mortality that is expected when you deal with a large number of these very fragile young creatures. You may or may not know that chicks are shipped through the mail. The hatchery adds a few extra chicks to make up for any early losses. We ordered 200 form the hatchery, and put 208 in the brooder. We did loose two within the first day, but none after that. I think this is the first time we have went to pasture with more chicks (206) than we actually bought. Credit goes to a nice group of chicks from Freedom Ranger Hatchery, and great brooder management from a relatively new farm employee Ricky Boyd.
