Any Recommendations for a Hatchery???

[perfectly_polish]

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It's okay I had a ton of questions too. We made an 8'x12' pen that is 2' high and it will hold 50 birds until they're ready to be processed, cornish really don't need a lot of room, they just sit and eat

You feed them broiler starter and/or broiler finisher until they are ready to be processed. If you have any other questions please feel free to ask!

 

[Sammysmom]

We had good luck with an order of Cornish Rock X from Welp Hatchery last year. As a first timer, they were very helpful and informative i.e. what feed and also instructions for feed restrictions. Apparently these birds will eat so much their crops press on the heart and can cause death. We restricted food for twelve hours a day as recommended and had no problems. They do grow fast and big!!

 

[mtnhomechick]

OH...........Thanks so much. I'm sure I will have more......oops! one just popped up.......see?

What brand food do you feed them and how much do they eat?

I have a 6x16 section of my layer pen and another pen which was a starter pen that is 9x9. Both completely enclosed for critter protection. How many would that house? Do you ever feed scraps or is it straight broiler feed. Do they need vitamins? Do you manually pluck?

Please forgive all the questions

 

[skeeter]

with all the chickens in Arkansas Id find the closest hatchery and they will tell you the best way to raise their birds

 

[perfectly_polish]

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Also if they eat too much food, they can get over heated just from that.

 

[mtnhomechick]

Think I should wait til September? It gets pretty hot down here. Just wondrin'

 

[perfectly_polish]

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That pen seems big enough just expand if you think you need more, they really don't need that much room. I would feed straight broiler feed but I'm sure a few scraps wouldn't hurt. I haven't put anything in their water except for sugar on the first day. If your going to be doing a lot of birds at one time it would probably be a better idea to get a plucker but all the birds I've helped process were hand plucked. You can get a turkey fryer, wait until the water is 140*F dunk the bird for 20 seconds. The feathers should come right out, but you can do a quick dip for 5-10 seconds if the feathers are to hard to get out, but make sure you don't cook the meet or the skin will rip. If your going to be using the feet for stock, dip those in the water and peel them.

 

[perfectly_polish]

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Hatcheries will probably be sold out by september.

 

[mtnhomechick]

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Hatcheries will probably be sold out by september.

I guess I didn't know it was a seasonal thing. I'm going to go ahead and order some and see how it goes. What season do they become available next? I have a lot to learn.

Thanks to all for extreme patience with a newbie

 

[perfectly_polish]

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Hatcheries will probably be sold out by september.

I guess I didn't know it was a seasonal thing. I'm going to go ahead and order some and see how it goes. What season do they become available next? I have a lot to learn.

Thanks to all for extreme patience with a newbie

Don't worry about it, the more questions you ask the better prepared you'll be. I guess it's like regular chicks, they become available again in the spring. Cackle is pretty cheap and has great chicks. Good luck and keep us updated!

website for cackles meat birds- http://cacklehatchery.com/cornishcrosspage.html