Advice on raising and butchering CX in mid-summer

[NorthwoodsChick]

Hi all. New to CX I will be getting 30 Cornish X in early June with expecting to butcher at 7-8weeks, being late July- 1st wk Aug. My concerns are heat tolerance and butchering in summer.
I’m in northern mid-west. My climate in mid- late summer is 80s, very rarely 90s. Rain in June, dry otherwise. Unfortunately this option on timing, for too many reasons, is the only one I have.
My plan after brooding to 3wks is to use a chicken tractor on grass pasture. I have one area that is flanked by two spruce grove islands that may offer shade in late afternoon.
I’m hoping that will be adequate but would like to hear from those of you in similar climate on additional precautions. Changing dates or to rangers isn’t an option, sadly.
TIA

 

[cassie]

Cornish X are not heat tolerant. When I lived in the San Joaquin Valley of California, I raised two batches per year. I ordered one in early spring so they would be gone before the heat hit. I ordered the second batch in early fall so they would be started after the worst of the heat had gone. I never tried a tractor. I was fortunate enough to have a large 12' x12' box stall in the barn that was well-ventilated and not drafty. I hung the feeders and the waterers from the ceiling on chains so the height could be adjusted as the chickens grew. I wanted them to stand tall to eat and drink and not just plop. I had the feeders on one side of the stall and the waterers on the other, so they had to walk a bit to get from one to the other. I bedded them on shavings and just added shavings as needed to keep the bedding dry. I fed broiler feed (starter, grower, and finisher) when I could get it and turkey feed when I couldn't. They had feed from seven in the morning until seven at night. Broiler Booster, available from Murray McMurray, added to the water goes a long was to prevent the ills the Cornish X are heir to. I strongly recommend it.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

You can pick this up at almost any agriculture and feed store like Agway. TSC probably carries it. Very inexpensive and goes a long way. Mix is something like a teaspoon to a gallon of water. And if you just want a thirst quencher without high fructose corn syrup keep some mix in the fridge for yourself.

 

[muddy75]

Hi all. New to CX I will be getting 30 Cornish X in early June with expecting to butcher at 7-8weeks, being late July- 1st wk Aug. My concerns are heat tolerance and butchering in summer.
I’m in northern mid-west. My climate in mid- late summer is 80s, very rarely 90s. Rain in June, dry otherwise. Unfortunately this option on timing, for too many reasons, is the only one I have.
My plan after brooding to 3wks is to use a chicken tractor on grass pasture. I have one area that is flanked by two spruce grove islands that may offer shade in late afternoon.
I’m hoping that will be adequate but would like to hear from those of you in similar climate on additional precautions. Changing dates or to rangers isn’t an option, sadly.
TIA

You may be able to move them to the tractor at 1-2 weeks during that time of year. They typically do very well for me during that time and we can be 90+ during summer here.
I have raised and processed at a variety of ages………5-16+ weeks. The cockerels tend to grow bigger faster and I actually had a couple crowing before I finished processing in 2022

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Cornish X are not heat tolerant. When I lived in the San Joaquin Valley of California, I raised two batches per year. I ordered one in early spring so they would be gone before the heat hit. I ordered the second batch in early fall so they would be started after the worst of the heat had gone. I never tried a tractor. I was fortunate enough to have a large 12' x12' box stall in the barn that was well-ventilated and not drafty. I hung the feeders and the waterers from the ceiling on chains so the height could be adjusted as the chickens grew. I wanted them to stand tall to eat and drink and not just plop. I had the feeders on one side of the stall and the waterers on the other, so they had to walk a bit to get from one to the other. I bedded them on shavings and just added shavings as needed to keep the bedding dry. I fed broiler feed (starter, grower, and finisher) when I could get it and turkey feed when I couldn't. They had feed from seven in the morning until seven at night. Broiler Booster, available from Murray McMurray, added to the water goes a long was to prevent the ills the Cornish X are heir to. I strongly recommend it.

thank you. I ordered from Meyers but have an acct with McMurray. I will get the broiler booster.
nI June it will still be < 50 F after sundown, 60-70 days, July warmer days but 60’ nights. It is rare to hit 90 or more for my area.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

You may be able to move them to the tractor at 1-2 weeks during that time of year. They typically do very well for me during that time and we can be 90+ during summer here.
I have raised and processed at a variety of ages………5-16+ weeks. The cockerels tend to grow bigger faster and I actually had a couple crowing before I finished processing in 2022

I will but nights still get 40-50s through June so will prob get them out 3rd week.

Do you think they will be bothered by black fly or deer flies? The bugs here are relentless and just ruin a good summer day.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

And if you just want a thirst quencher without high fructose corn syrup keep some mix in the fridge for yourself.

Hope it doesn’t taste like urine (No, I don’t know, all you smarty pants out there)

 

[muddy75]

I will but nights still get 40-50s through June so will prob get them out 3rd week.

Do you think they will be bothered by black fly or deer flies? The bugs here are relentless and just ruin a good summer day.

With the tractor set-up you have planned, the flies shouldn’t create as much of a problem as if they were in a confined space the entire time. I’ve had good luck with the net flytraps for horses around the yard and aviary. (With the exception of the initial bait smell ) They keep most of the larger flies under control.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

With the tractor set-up you have planned, the flies shouldn’t create as much of a problem as if they were in a confined space the entire time. I’ve had good luck with the net flytraps for horses around the yard and aviary. (With the exception of the initial bait smell ) They keep most of the larger flies under control.

perfect idea. Thank you so much

 

[CNJ]

Wow, 30 is a lot to process for your first time. I hope you have a plucker and some help.................Cornish X is usually starved for a day, so staggering the slaughter days is troublesome, but it can be done. I only do 5 at a time.