Cornish Cross Problems

[Eve-Lee]

We've been raising 20 Cornish Cross since the end of March. Never had a problem, never lost any. Till now... The last two weeks every morning when I would go out to turn them loose, one or more would be bleeding. It would usually be from a large gash near the hind-end. But sometimes a few appeared to have a broken leg. Like broke and leg hanging off with skin open. The first day I assumed there was some fighting or picking at each other. I knew there was no predator because all were locked in for the night. They are still pretty young so they aren't huge yet. I'm a bit disappointed this is happening and can't figure out the problem. We've gone ahead and started butchering a few a day because we are afraid we will lose them totally.
I've been paying a lot of attention to them and I've noticed that a day or so before they get a bloody spot the skin appears blue under the feathers. Does that sound like anything in particular? What are we doing wrong?

 

[ChaoSS]

Don't know about the bleeding, but as to the broken legs, do you have something like a toda roost for them where they might be getting injured jumping down?

My understanding is that it is pretty normal for them to break legs if they are jumping down from anywhere, since they are heavy and their legs can't support the landing.

 

[WalnutHill]

Do they have a roost that they perch on? If they are too heavy, they can jump down and land hard and break a leg.

 

[Happy Chooks]

What about rats? They can chew a leg off and leave a wound on the hind end.

 

[KimBlake]

I am also raising Cornish X and have had a few break legs. The leg turns dark colored, which I'm sure is all the blood pooling. Chickens know when one of the flock is sick or has an injury and they will try to kill those birds. Survival of the fittest, you know?

If they are big enough I would butcher any that favor a leg, but you may lose some meat from blood pooling.

Otherwise, make sure each has room to get in and eat. Sometimes when they haggle over spots to eat the bigger ones stomp on the smaller and can break a leg easily. Mine are 7 weeks and almost ready, so they are plenty big enough to hurt each other.

The other problem is heart failure. I had one die from it today. I wanted to make sure; so I butchered her anyway. Sure enough; her heart was completely blown. Lungs were tiny and her body cavity was filled with yellow liquid, kinda gross, it's called ascities..People get it too when they are in congestive heart failure. Some people butcher and eat these birds, I don't. I prefer to throw any bird away that has an illness, even if I know what it is.

Good Luck!!

Kim

 

[Eve-Lee]

They don't have a roost And I looked for a point of entry for rats or critters.
So the blood pooling under the skin must be a break. Then in a day or two the skin opens.
That's the only thing I can think.
Kind of a bummer because they only got to about six weeks. And they didn't get as big as we hoped.
Thanks for all your help!