1st time with meatbirds, too many to start with.

[twigcrafter]

I got a great deal on 15 red broilers and 10 Cornish x the Cornish x are 2 or 3 weeks younger but seem to get along fine.

They've been in my HOUSE for 2-3 weeks. Feels like years. We finally moved them out today

To say they smelled bad is putting it mildly. They smelled so bad I gagged. The first week I tried to keep the brooder clean. Then I switched to the deep litter method. OMG! not a good idea for in the house.

My biggest problem was the water leaking and turned the deep litter into a rank compost pile. I thought for sure there was a dead bird in the bedding!!!

Nope just a lot of wasted feed, water and bedding
I feel so bad for making them live like that. I thought they were drinking all that water. Thank goodness the bottom of the brooder was a tarp, zip tied up the sides. We did not dump it in the gardens.

They are now in a secure coup with a 16 x 8 run. Once they get the idea of where they live I will free range them during the day.

They are always hungry. I thought maybe I wasn't feeding them enough, but their crops feel full. I've been giving the brewers yeast hoping to keep them healthy and no leg problems. so far so good. I also give them fermented grains as a treat. and clumps of muddy sod for grit.

The reds were attacking my hand when I went to feed them. Hopefully they will be better outside. I'm sure it's better for their health, and mine. The whites, are calmer. Maybe lazier. lol.

These birds better taste like heaven. My DH has been so great, but now he hates chickens.

 

[keesmom]

They will taste wonderful, really.

I know you got a good deal on them and that's why you are raising them now. I always raise our meaties starting late summer. It's still plenty warm to start them outside without heat, and by the time it gets chilly they are fully feathered. I can easily find good deals on meat chicks in August/early Sept.. Last time it was $2 each for 12 day old Cornish X. Maybe late this summer/early fall you can see if the same deals are available in your area. Then you can toss them outside from the get go and avoid the stink.

 

[twigcrafter]

thanks. I guess it was a deal because people who know about the meat birds wouldn't touch them with a 10ft pole this time of year. lol. Live and learn.

 

[twigcrafter]

My meat birds are starting to free range. I wanted them to go to the green lawn but they found their way to my laying flocks feed station. lol they are greedy. At least they're getting exercise .

this is their pen.

 

[twigcrafter]

up date pictures.
It's misty raining so they are napping in their pen.

you can't tell by the picture but there are a few runts in there. Some are near 2x their size. All 15 reds and all 10 Cornish x still alive. I would say alive and well, but 2 Cornish x have injuries that are healing wonderfully. 1 got pecked hard from one of my jealous layers, and 1 got cut in a thorn bush. Triple antibiotics work like a magic wand.