Is This A Turkey?

[Carrie S]

I was given a box of chicks. In with the chicks was this larger bird. It is MUCH larger in every way... Thighs.... Feet...etc. Was wondering if it was a turkey. Can anyone help? Thank you!

 

[QueenMisha]

It's not a turkey - it's a Cornish Cross chicken. They are bred exclusively for meat purposes. They grow to maturity in 8 weeks and are not layers or pets - they do not have any longevity. If you attempt to grow them to maturity, they will almost always succumb to organ failure or cease walking and require euthanasia before they are fully grown.

If you know how to butcher and process meat animals yourself or are interested in learning you would do fine keeping it (it should be on a 20-24% non medicated chick start or broiler ration from now until slaughter), but if you are not someone who wishes to raise meat animals, you would do best to find a local backyard keeper who does and give it to them.

 

[Carrie S]

Thank you for such wonderful info! I best find someone who would want it. I'm not into butchering.... I just baby all of mine. Once again, thank you!

 

[duluthralphie]

It's not a turkey - it's a Cornish Cross chicken. They are bred exclusively for meat purposes. They grow to maturity in 8 weeks and are not layers or pets - they do not have any longevity. If you attempt to grow them to maturity, they will almost always succumb to organ failure or cease walking and require euthanasia before they are fully grown.

If you know how to butcher and process meat animals yourself or are interested in learning you would do fine keeping it (it should be on a 20-24% non medicated chick start or broiler ration from now until slaughter), but if you are not someone who wishes to raise meat animals, you would do best to find a local backyard keeper who does and give it to them.

It is a Cornish cross, that is where are agreement ends.

Do not let him eat more than 20 minutes 2x a day. Lower the protein, and get him outside as soon as you can. He will get bigger and live longer.



Here is an award winning article on raising them:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/raising-large-table-birds


And I suggest this thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...at-birds-and-super-excited/6250#post_17154635


Both will help you have a longer lived healthier bird.. Hope to see you there.

 

[Carrie S]

Thank you Duluthralphie,
I did read the info u sent. Very interesting! Thank you for your input and time. My hubby is talking about maybe having the Cornish Cross for dinner. Your info was helpful!!

 

[QueenMisha]

It is a Cornish cross,  that is where are agreement ends.

Do not let him eat more than 20 minutes 2x a day.  Lower the protein, and get him outside as soon as you can. He will get bigger and live longer.



Here is an award winning article on raising them:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/raising-large-table-birds


And I suggest this thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...at-birds-and-super-excited/6250#post_17154635


Both will help you have a longer lived healthier bird.. Hope to see you there.

I'd have to respectfully disagree with this course of action...

Low protein will more likely result in a weak bird which cannot walk than anything healthy. I have seen this first hand; the birds were on only 17% protein and they ceased walking prior to even normal butchering age.

And yes, they can be raised to maturity and kept alive... if they are half starved, kept on a constant restricted diet. It's difficult for experienced keepers - nearly impossible for a beginner. A big hassle... usually ending in heartbreak. Even if they can be kept alive, most won't live past a few years. A short difficult life is not worth it imo.

 

[duluthralphie]

I'd have to respectfully disagree with this course of action...

Low protein will more likely result in a weak bird which cannot walk than anything healthy. I have seen this first hand; the birds were on only 17% protein and they ceased walking prior to even normal butchering age.

And yes, they can be raised to maturity and kept alive... if they are half starved, kept on a constant restricted diet. It's difficult for experienced keepers - nearly impossible for a beginner. A big hassle... usually ending in heartbreak. Even if they can be kept alive, most won't live past a few years. A short difficult life is not worth it imo.

Four years of raising them like that, with no leg problems and them living up to two years reaching over 25 pounds kind of proves me right,,,go to that thread and see the amazing things we are doing to these birds I raise Mine on around 15 % and they do wonders,,, they will never live 4 or 5 years but they will live longer healthier and taste better

 

[cyborg]

Quote: X2! The batch I'm currently raising are being fed 16% feed, are just over 11 weeks old, and averaging 10 pounds each. They waddle a bit, but not for long! I will keep a few back for some breeding experiments, but most will be going to freezer camp within the month.

 

[JRNash]

Four years of raising them like that, with no leg problems and them living up to two years reaching over 25 pounds kind of proves me right,,,go to that thread and see the amazing things we are doing to these birds I raise Mine on around 15 % and they do wonders,,, they will never live 4 or 5 years but they will live longer healthier and taste better

I cut yhe protein content of my birds and allowed them to eat as much as they want. End result, my Cx were leaner and HEALTHY.aI habe absolutely NO leg problems and the birds are active. The ones that I went to camp had full meaty carcasses. AND the internal organs were NOT encased in fat. Cx are NOT hard to raise as healthy birds. They are just like people,a healthy diet with plenty of exercise promotes GOOD HEALTH. A bag of chips on the couch 24-7 not so much.

 

[JRNash]

And another thing,after the birds hit maturity they DON'T eat as much. I don't starve my birds. I do control what they eat in a responsible manner.
People who have problems raising Cx typically,overfeed,overheat,and overcrowd the birds.A recipe for disaster with ANY animal