Any suggestions on where to purchase cornish X chicks?

[Daycare Mom]

So if I wait until fall to order, how much cold can they take? What would be the lowest temp you would keep them out in?

 

[glassparman]

I live in the Mojave Desert in California and it typically gets 105+ with 0% humidity here in the summer. That does not seem to bother them as long as they have shade and water. I have raised several sets of them to 6 months of age - I like them huge. I usually keep them in groups of 12 and they have free roam around a large pen with access to dirt and sun.

The thing to remember is that because of how fast they grow, you need to restrict the food input. They will literally eat themselves to death. If they get too much food, they will have leg problems and thus problems walking and they will also have heart problems and die suddenly - all from over-eating.

I have always bought mine from McMurray and they always provide excellent stock. My rule of thumb for 8 week old chicks is this - one full size canning jar full of feed for a dozen birds – one in the morning and once at night. Go down from there with serving size on younger birds.

I also keep them separate from my other birds because my laying hens need to feed more and freely but the X-rocks will devour any feed they find so it becomes a competition between breeds.

Hope this helps.

 

[Bizzybirdy]

I got my Cornish X's from McMurray on Mother's Day. They are in air conditioned quarters so haven't lost a one.

Only thing is figuring out how to transport them to the processor in the middle of sweltering HOT July

...guess I will try to find an air conditioned VAN. lol

 

[Jenlyn9483]

I just purchased 5 Cornish X Rocks and 6 White Cornish Roasters from Murry McMurray. This is my first time ordering this breed, The customer service lady suggested buying Broiler Booster which is a yellow powder substance you put in thier water from birth to butchering that has biotin and electrolytes that is suppose to minimize stress and promote healthy growth and cut down on leg stress or problems developing properly. My chicks are a week old and they are all still happy and healthy. This broiler booster cost about $8. I am giving it to all the chicks not just the Cornish because i am keeping them in the same enclosure.

 

[Jenlyn9483]

Thank you for that wonderful feeding information Glassparman, The last thing I can afford to do is overfeed my chickens to death! LOL

 

[Judymae]

I put vitamins and electrolytes in their water until they are 7 days old. Then switch to cool water~constantly!! We also have fans on them 24/7. Mine love frozen grapes.

 

[HFC]

I get mine from McMurray. I think they've got excellent stock from breeding over the years. I got 51 pullets May 19. They're six weeks old now and other than one not feathered out completely are very healthy. I butchered three yesterday and they all dressed over 3lbs.

It's been 90+ every day since they've gotten here and 95+ for the last three or four weeks. Haven't lost one yet to the heat. Knock on wood.

 

[Mrs MIA]

I ordered some first from MMH, and they were wonderful. I think I only lost one due to spraddle leg, and even then she lasted until 7 weeks. I ordered a second set from Welp, and at first I was really amazed, because these chicks were so much beefier than the MMH chicks. Well, I had to put 5 down due to swollen joints and spraddle leg, under the same growing conditions, which included taking their food away at night. I don't have to worry about the heat at all, thank goodness. I had one whose leg joint was so swollen and she was screaming every time she tried to move. I had to put her down.
I'm on my third order of chicks, again from MMH, and I'm really happy with them so far.

 

[Nuggetsowner:)]

I have gotten mine from McMurray in the past. Last year I did 25 in the spring and 25 again in the fall. This year we decided we would just do them all in fall. I will be ordering 50 to come in about the last week in July. That way I can butcher when it is cooler about the first or second week in October. I like to have mine dressed out and weigh about 6-7 pounds. I know it sounds way too big, but I like to roast chicken and this is what works for my family.