Cannibalism targeting broilers

[Mosey2003]

If your broilers are 9 weeks they should be way past the age to be butchered.

 

[saskmomma4]

So you had 40 dual purpose and 85 Cornish cross in a small bin? I'm raising 100 Cornish cross in a 12'x20' coop (240 square feet). They have an outdoor pen of almost 600 square feet. You cant go less than 2 square feet per bird. That's the bare MINIMUM. I think this is what caused your cannibalism.

Yes I know there's the main cause I'm trying to find a solution I've butchered 26 and lost probably 20 already.. I'm giving them outdoor space now they have more room but it's continuing. Wondering if there is a way to break the habit now.

 

[aart]

Wondering if there is a way to break the habit now.

Have you actually witnessed them pecking at each other?
Sounds like a feeding frenzy.

 

[saskmomma4]

If your broilers are 9 weeks they should be way past the age to be butchered.

Really? My dad was hoping he'd get 10 or 12 lb birds they are only 4 or 5lbs. I've been wondering if genetics have changed over the years since he had them. I think 2 have had heart attacks recently they were vig healthy birds just dead.

 

[saskmomma4]

Have you actually witnessed them pecking at each other?
Sounds like a feeding frenzy.

From what I've seen they get a scratch the scratch is bloody then the others get at pecking at it. They are almost bare so the scratch is easy to see. They scratch each other to get at the feed (the cornish competing for feeder even though there's tons of room). At first I was catching them early enough and stopping the behavior and some died from infection or ended up being ok. There have been 2 or 3 now that they peck big holes big enough to kill them. I'm out there at least 3 times a day so this happens in a span of a few hours. Starting with a scratch.

 

[Mosey2003]

Most people process Cornish X at 8 weeks for a 3-4 pound carcass. I don't know if you can reliably keep them alive for a 10-12 pound butcher...

 

[townchicks]

Time to cut your losses and butcher those birds already. How many more pounds of meat are you going to feed to the dogs, just to try to get another pound or two on these birds. Pennywise and pound foolish, as my mom used to say. I'm sorry about your husbands foot, that sucks, but things do happen. Call it a lesson learned, and concentrate on getting your DP birds into an appropriate space before you start losing them too.

 

[saskmomma4]

Happy to say we butchered all the meat birds and it's been 3 days of no pecking!

 

[cassie]

Most people process Cornish X at 8 weeks for a 3-4 pound carcass. I don't know if you can reliably keep them alive for a 10-12 pound butcher...

I like big roasters so I routinely butchered my Cornish cross at eleven or twelve pounds dressed weight. I never weighed them live. I processed one that dressed out over sixteen pounds. I have no idea what he weighed live. I don't suggest anyone do that. This was a case that I was busy with other more pressing things and I didn't have time to process him earlier. He was delicious by the way and I stuffed and roasted him like a turkey. Tastiest and juiciest "turkey" I ever had.

 

[cassie]

Hi I'm a first time chicken owner and have about 40 dual purpose birds and started with 85 cornish x for meat. They have been confined to their home since chicks and we have been encountering a major issue. They have started killing each other. They start packing at the back thigh/hip area and pack giant holes into their guts until they are dead. I've been trying every trick in the book but it just keeps happening... I've used anti pack gel, vicks vaporub, hung CDs from strings, have a flock block, set up some perches and offered a dust bath, i also try to bring them treats every day... and it keeps happening, only to the broilers. I noticed a few with their heads covered in blood and I know they have to be instigators in this mess.

We decided to butcher some this weekend 26 down thinking it would help if they had more space... 5 have died in the last 3 days since. Its so frustrating cause they are big ones we can eat and I'm just tossing them to the dog.

This morning we decided to make a fence and a ramp so they can get out but none will stay out. I put them out and they go back in. Do I have crazy birds?

Any advice? I have some more eggs in the incubator and I'm now getting worried I'm making a huge mistake.

Cannibalism can be caused by any number of reasons. The most common are lack of space, too hot, or a feed that is too low in protein. Boredom can also be a factor. If you hang something like a head of cabbage in the pen it will give them something to peck at besides each other. That said, if the feed is improper for the type of bird you are raising(I fed mine broiler feed or turkey feed) or there is inadequate space it doesn't matter much what else you do.