Broiler Babes

[Paulina Chicken]

My son has 5 broiler chicks that we have raised from 2 days old. He got them for his 4-H livestock show. I have grown attached to them. They fly up on top the box (its to cold right now to put them in their coop) and let me pet them, they run to me when they see me. I feed them twice a day so they dont overeat and get to heavy. How can I tell the males from females, 2 have the red things growing underneath their necks and the other 3 dont. I would like to be able to mark them to know which is which. Any help is appreciated!

 

[txcarl1258]

Are you wanting to keep them for breeding? If they are in deed Cornish broilers they won't live very long. It is possible for them to live to maturity but it is difficult. You have to watch their feed intake very carefully. They were bred to be butcher ready in 6 to 8 weeks and have a very rapid growth rate. The males will get a comb and wattles very quickly. Some pics would be helpful to sex them.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

I agree, post some pics. They'll be easy enough to sex.

I also agree with the fact that they may die even with your feed restriction. I know of people that have kept broilers longer than a year with extremely careful feed management, but in the end they all died young.

I would also discourage them from going anyplace high. With such heavy breasts, it's really easy for them to break their legs. Don't cut their wings, they'll need those to get down--but if you can figure out a way to make them not want up on the box, that would be best.