I have a customer for my meat rabbits that buys 50-60 @ a time. We have a nice little arrangement where I make a little pocket money after all expenses are paid (feed, hay, electric & water bill for barn) and my freezer rabbits are basically free for me.

He now wants me to get a meat chicken set up going. Same thing...he would buy all the chickens I can produce for a set price. I checked what it costs for 100 Cornish Cross chicks ($150).

Can anyone tell me how much feed they will eat in 8-weeks? OR...what is the feed conversion on these chickens 2-lbs of feed to 1-lb of gain...etc?

I have an old buck pen with run not in use (16' x 16' pen with a 25' x 50' enclosed run. A few modifications and I would be ready to get the chicks. I am within an hour drive of Mt. Healthy Hatchery (Cincinnati, Oh) so that should cut down on losing chicks through the mail.

Anyone have much experience raising these birds? I haven't raised Cornish Crosses for probably 10-yrs.