Broiler or layer?

[MegW]

Ended up with a chicken who needed a home (long story). He's living with my khaki Campbell's, its super sweet but looking more and more like a broiler every day... I will butcher it if it's a broiler/Cornish cross because I know they can't live long before getting too big, but want to make sure it's not something else before putting it on the dinner table.

My other chickens are 5 weeks old, hoping they turn out as sweet as this one!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Looks like a broiler -- do you have an idea of how old it is?

 

[MegW]

Well I was told it was about 6 wks old when I got it, that was 3 weeks ago, but I was also told it was a layer, so not sure how reliable the info was.

It's feed is limited, shares about 5 lbs of feed each day with 18 ducks, and is getting around well, so if it is a broiler, I'm not concerned about it keeling over tomorrow, but I know it's something I'll need to address very soon.

 

[BaileyMChicks]

I would say meat bird.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I agree, meat bird.

You can keep Cornish Cross birds for longer term if you desire, and what you are doing is ideal for longer lifespan....limit their feed supply as they will literally eat themselves into oblivion and all manner of obesity and growth problems.

It is a problematic hybrid however, and unless you are willing to keep it as a pet and continue to monitor its feed intake, encourage exercise, and watch for health issues, it is best to eat it as they are very poor layers and can have fertility problems (males).

If you want to improve the meat portion of your line, you may consider breeding it and carefully hatching eggs. It will reduce the egg output of whatever breed you breed it to, but it will increase body mass.

If you want to eat it, put it on a meat bird diet, fatten it up, and enjoy it sooner than later. The meat only gets tougher the longer they live. They are meant to harvest for table by 6 to 12 weeks depending upon the strain and the feed care. Most of the health issues crop up the longer they live as they are not selected for longevity but exponentially faster growth and an arguably deformed body of thin bones, heavy meat mass, and oversized breast.

LofMc

 

[donrae]

Yep, that's a Cornish cross cockerel.

 

[drumstick diva]

it sure is

 

[MegW]

Everyone -- Thanks for your feedback. I suspected that he was a cornish cross... Just wanted to make sure before it came time to butcher him! While a little sad, since he's so sweet, he's serving his purpose, and I'll be sure to use all of him.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Everyone -- Thanks for your feedback. I suspected that he was a cornish cross... Just wanted to make sure before it came time to butcher him! While a little sad, since he's so sweet, he's serving his purpose, and I'll be sure to use all of him.

And you gave him a MUCH happier existence on this earth than most of his cousins...he ate, led a life of leisure with plenty of room to stretch and grow, got fat....

Plus you know where your food source came from, knew it was humanely treated and euthanized to serve a good purpose.

LofMc

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

And you gave him a MUCH happier existence on this earth than most of his cousins...he ate, led a life of leisure with plenty of room to stretch and grow, got fat....

Plus you know where your food source came from, knew it was humanely treated and euthanized to serve a good purpose.

LofMc

x2 to all of this!