2024 Meyers Cornish cross issues

[NorthwoodsChick]

I purchased 50 CC males from Meyers again this year and have had nothing but problems. Lost a total of 8 so far (3 first week and 2 of them could not stand at all; 2 in week 3, and the rest in weeks 5-6). Overall, the birds seem less vigorous, much smaller (hard to gain weight) and more prone to leg and hip (joint) subluxation issues. I culled 4 due to hip and hock dislocation- live weights ranged 3-5 lbs…That should not be happening. I wonder if there is a problem in their stock?
Anyone else with similar issues, or is it just my fault?

Same feeding as last year: 12 on/ 12 off locally milled feed for broilers after 2 weeks of commercial 24% broiler chick starter. Housed in a 8x10 coop until week 3.5 then a 8x12 hoop tractor on grass field rotated 1-2x daily. plenty of room.

It’s week 6 and my largest bird is 6. 25 lbs but I am processing tomorrow before any more issues. My husband is getting resentful bc the birds this year takes up every minute of my time before and after work.

I am open to other sources for CC or even red rangers.

Frustrating summer so far—thx in adv for your input

 

[muddy75]

I didn’t do meatbirds this year but I did have more losses from meyers than from Hoover in past groups

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

I didn’t do meatbirds this year but I did have more losses from meyers than from Hoover in past groups

Thanks, muddy. I had minimal losses last year from them. My suspicion is it’s their laying stock. I can’t prove this but maybe nutritional deficits in the parent stock is to blame…? Hip dislocations lead me to think about ligament laxity or bony/ cartilage, and maybe a collegen issue.

Anyway, I need a new supplier next round.

 

[Arpierce]

Cackle Hatchery in Lebanon MO has excellent stock. I have been getting birds from them every spring for 10 years and never had an issue yet.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I think we've gotten ours from Cackle as well, but not in such quantities. We usually get 8 to 10 but have never had issues like that with them. We butcher three at a time a week apart, starting at week 4.5, because I only have room for 3 in my fridge at a time. I age them four days then they go in the freezer. To keep them from just sitting and not using their legs, I go out twice a day and give them a little snack of scratch and mealworms, calling them and encouraging them to "COME and get it," COME being the operative word. Since I started doing this we get bigger legs and drumsticks, otherwise their legs will just atrophy. They need to be encouraged to exercise.

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

I never saw this thread until now. I never had trouble with Meyer's CX, but I see you are feeding 24% protein. I think that's way too high, despite popular belief, and it's higher than what Meyer suggests. See Meyer's guide for raising CX here. Scroll to the chart. They suggest 21-22% for the first 3 weeks and 18% from then on out to prevent leg and heart issues. I've never had leg or heart issues when following that guide.

Meyer's birds just grow really fast and you can't feed them too high protein without getting leg and heart issues. Honestly, feeding any CX that high of protein you'll probably see those issues, but I feel like most people have accepted that as normal or just the way CX are. It doesn't have to be that way though. I'd suggest following Meyer's guide and see how it goes. Best of luck next time.

PS - I've also had good luck with TSC (Hoover?) CX, but I also followed Meyer's feeding guide with them.

 

[MontanaChickDoc]

I also like Cackle's CCX and all their birds in general. They just don't always have the availability I need. My CCX from a different hatchery are also not doing well this time around. I have lost 6 of 25 with sudden onset of weakness, inability to stand, and weight loss at 5-6 weeks old. I am going to necropsy the next one as soon as it passes to look for heart problems or anything else. Frustrating and what a waste of $$$. I am not doing anything different than the last 5 batches I have raised.