10 weeks old today, still not very big.

[hrabbot]

I've still got all 9 from the Silver Fox litter, they've been eating vast amounts of feed and I need to get them into the freezer. I thought I could get some more weight on them, but they're getting pretty old now. I just weighed them and they're averaging about 4.25 lb each. I was expecting more, but this is the first litter, so maybe I'm mistaken. Is their feed conversion efficiency declining at this point? Feed a bit longer, or harvest?

 

[Zass]

Your considered doing OK if they reach 5 lbs by 12 weeks. You can keep feeding them until then to see if they make it. They probably will.

But, it's also fine to harvest them a 4 lbs, and some raisers prefer it.

 

[3mina]

I process at four pounds because I don't need a larger carcass, it depends entirely on your needs though.

 

[Miss M]

5 pounds at 8 weeks is spectacular (and almost unreachable), 5 pounds at 10 weeks is great, 5 pounds at 12 weeks is still pretty good.

Sounds to me like you're doing well. If they're eating you out of house and home, it may not be worth the cost of the feed to put another 3/4 pound on them to you. Then again, you might really want to wait until they hit 5. All up to you.