Recent content by jecombs

  1. jecombs

    What is the best bait for raccoons in a live trap?

    Has the predator been stealing the bait out of the trap or ignoring it completely? I used some left-overs from our refrigerator... left-over gravy and a chicken foot that we had from processing some birds a few weeks ago. We had our bait stolen 3 nights in a row before my hubby attached it to...
  2. jecombs

    Raccoon Attack

    Had a coon pop his head out of a bush right next to the coop while I was putting the flock up tonight. Scared the crap out of me! Luckily, I was carrying a large stick (trying to heard the girls into the coop with it). I screamed and swung at him, but hit the fence instead. Little f-er ran...
  3. jecombs

    Suggestions on where to get less than 25 birds?

    I think www.efowl.com lets you order just 15 birds at a minimum and shipping is $10.
  4. jecombs

    Most important aspect of butchering?

    My husband and I butchered our first batch this weekend. Definitely have a helper with you. I don't think he would have been able to do it as quickly if I had not been there to help. Watch lots of videos. I liked wrapping our birds in a towel to hold them still... kinda like you would swaddle...
  5. jecombs

    Cornish Cross - Meat Birds

    I am raising my 1st set of Cx this year, which we plan to butcher at 9 weeks. I had a friend who wanted to keep Cx as pets last year and it did not work out well for her. Two of her birds died (presumably of heart attack) at 10-11 weeks old. Not to discourage you, but just be aware that you...
  6. jecombs

    How old are my Cornish Rocks?

    They look exactly like mine, feathered on the body but still fuzzy on the head. Mine are 3 weeks old today.
  7. jecombs

    new cornish rocks and set up. help!

    Looks like a good set up... for now. These little buggers grow fast, so now is a good time to be planning their grow-out pen. We have 11 Cornish X and they are 3 weeks old. They already have a good bit of real feathers and are getting too big for their brooder, so I am going to move them...
  8. jecombs

    Started processeing my 27 cornish X's

    Good job. I'm sure it was difficult. We are going to process ours the first weekend in May. My husband processed two roosters that we got in a batch of straight-run chicks last year, but I have never processed before. Any tips on things you did wrong that I should watch-out for? I know it...
  9. jecombs

    12 hr feeding not working...

    Yes, they are too close to where I sleep. Hubs was supposed to move them out on the back porch last weekend, but hasn't gotten around to it yet. He promises me that they will be moved tomorrow. I will give them a little more time before I try 12 hr feeding plan again.
  10. jecombs

    Meat birds.. questions before I order

    My experience with cornish x has been good so far. We got 11 birds 2 weeks ago and have had zero losses at this point. I had a friend who had this breed last year and did have a few losses, but it was because she waited too long to butcher them. She was trying to get them to 12 weeks old...
  11. jecombs

    12 hr feeding not working...

    Maybe I started them to young, but I tried the 12 hr on, 12 hrs off feeding method for my cornish x two days ago. They are about 2 weeks old at this point. I tried taking the food away around 8 PM, thinking that they would mostly sleep at night and not notice it was gone. Well, the constant...
  12. jecombs

    18% Protein?

    ITA about the feed mills and wanting to sell feed. However, it is my understanding Cornish X were specifically developed to grown quickly on commercial feed. I'm sure there are heirloom breeds that would thrive on free-ranging for a good part of their nutrition, but I don't think the Cx is the...
  13. jecombs

    18% Protein?

    Interesting, because my feed store suggested I feel the Cx 24% for the first 2 weeks and then switch to 20%. Personally, I would not feed them scratch. Scratch is a treat, even for egg layers because it is not very nutritious. The chicks can't grow on thin air and I believe they need the...
  14. jecombs

    My first Cornish X Chicks.

    I just wanted to say how helpful this thread is! I got my first batch of cornish x a few days ago. If all goes well with these guys, I'm hoping to get some more in mid-April.
  15. jecombs

    Chickens are not Laying as much!!!!

    They may be molting (if there are feathers all over their coop) or they might just be taking a break from laying because the days are so short right now. Egg laying is regulated by the amount of daylight, so it is normal for laying to slow way down in the winter. My 2 girls are molting right...
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