Are Some of My CX Actually Leghorns?!

[JPinVT]

The kindergarten classes at my mom's school hatched chicks and ducks this year - cornish cross, white leghorns, and Pekins. I took some Pekins and some CX... or so I thought. This is our first go with meat birds, so at first I was explaining the size difference as the pullets being smaller than the cockerels. Now the size difference is really dramatic - the big ones are at least 3 times as big as the little ones, and the little ones look like normal chicks rather than meat monsters. Take a look at these pictures and tell me what you think - do I have white leghorns mixed in with my Cornish cross? They're about 2 1/2 weeks old in these photos.

 

[PotterWatch]

Yes you do.

 

[JPinVT]

That's what I figured, just wanted confirmation. So have I damaged the leghorns by feeding them high-protein broiler grower?

 

[MommaOrp]

i'd say you do, not sure about the damage though, sorry

 

[PotterWatch]

They will be fine. Most chick starters are fairly high protein anyway.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

they're fine. Looks like you have a leghorn boy and girl.

 

[JPinVT]

Thanks everyone! My co-worker is going to add my poor leghorns to her assorted flock of 3 week old layers.