Buckeye X Cornish X breeding project. Third generation pics pg. 20

[KatyTheChickenLady]

you have a very nice web site redbarn! So, you have no problems with the CX roo being able to mate with the Rock hens? and the hens are able to withstand his weight?

 

[redbarnmeadows]

Thank you. Actually, the roos are surprisingly agile, LOL. They might take a little bit longer with the learning curve when first starting to breed, what with balancing and all that, but right now their fertility rate is 90-95%+. As long as the girls have their duct tape they handle it just fine, no more offended than a hen under any other roo

They still get up and shake off but I haven't had any injuries other than the occasional scratched back when the duct tape starts to fall off. I also check the roos' nails every now and then and trim off anything that looks sharp.

 

[prncssprplfrog]

Quote:
Redbarnmeadows,
I'm near Cooperstown, NY. I just bought 10 Cornish X chicks for my first meatie experience. It's nice to see someone near me!

 

[redbarnmeadows]

Hey there neighbor - glad to meetcha.

By the way, I suppose it would be polite it introduce myself. I'm Jennifer by the way

 

[prncssprplfrog]

I'm a Jennifer too.... I've only had chickens as an adult a year June, but now I've seriously caught the hatching bug! I've hatched about 22 chicks so far since February. My main flock is down to 6 & I'm seriously thinking about getting rid of my last roo for now. That means I can keep more hens from my hatch, right?

 

[Bettacreek]

I'd be especially interested in seeing someone do a trial of "their" birds against the CX, with the same feed/schedule.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

I have chicks that are pipping right now, I'm hopping that they all make it because I'm getting 200 broilers this Thursday and I'm going to put the newly hatched crosses with the broiler chicks. Everything will be identical. I have to find someway to mark them..... any thoughts? I was thinking a permanent marker maybe?

 

[redbarnmeadows]

Wow, 200 broilers is a daunting thought.

With last year's batch from the hatchery, when I ordered CX and Rocks, they came mixed together in the box and they had marked the CX with a blue marker. It worked pretty well, and it was enough for me to get them separated out of the box, but it only lasted about a week or so and faded rather fast. If you want to go that route I would use a good dark, bright color, and be sure to reapply regularly. You can also get tiny little rubber bands, like the kind they use on kid's braces. I use those a lot for new chicks, then upgrade to colored zipties later. Just don't forget to upgrade the sizes as they get bigger.

Another thought is Blu-Kote. It's an antiseptic spray (any farm store should have it). It's a great antiseptic, but it leaves a permanent dark purple stain. That might work well too. If you get it on a feather it will NEVER come off. I have a hen that still has a dark purple butt from a pecking incident months ago. Just spray a little on a Q-Tip and wipe it on the wing or tail feathers, not the fluff. It should stay until the baby feathers molt out.

Jen

 

[kiwi-chookn]

from a tattooist,get different colours/numbers/icons or a mix of all tattooed on their legs??

 

[SteveH]

Quote:
You might try spiral leg bands , they expand with growth to a degree . Zip ties are very cheap temporary leg bands and I have used a mini screw driver or the point of my knife to lift the lock tab and let them out to a bigger size , but its a pain LOL . Wing bands can be purchased with numbers to identify each individual chick and left for life if you want to get fancy and get some really accurate records . Or you could just toe punch them for permanent identification .