I have 8 CX hens that I didn't have time to butcher, when we did the other 17 at 8 weeks, that are still running around at 15 weeks. They are all healthy and roam the 3/4 acre run they share with 13 layers and 12, 7 week old CX. All the CX will head to freezer camp in one week. The 15 week ones are huge guesing 10-12#. I set there food 20 yards from the water and they also chase bugs and eat grass.
I did the same thing last year, the heat and flies were to much, I had 3 hens and two were laying at the time we finally butchered. They weighed over 12 lbs. All they did all day was look for food. When the layer's food was empty, off to the next coop and their food, they did eat grass and bugs and when we butchered they had grass in crop. I won't be doing that again. Want them all done by 7 weeks.
