cornish game hens?

[slackwater]

Okay, so I believe that I have read that cornish game hens are the cornish hybrid hens, butchered earlier (2-3lbs, or 3-4wks) than they would otherwise be butchered so that they are super-tender. This appeals to me (I don't like the idea of full grown meaties)...but does that mean that they will spend their entire lives in a brooder? Do meaties feather faster than other chicks, since they grow faster, or do they feather at the same rate? I don't want to get 25 meaty hens, assuming that I can put them out in the tractor when they outgrow the brooder, only to find out they will not be ready for the tractor and need to be brooded for their entire lives...

 

[HLAC]

I have some cornish x right now that are just a hair over 3 weeks old. Some are almost fully feathered, some are half-way feathered and there is one that up until a couple of days ago still had only chick fuzz. (it's big.. just not feathered. reminds me of a dodo bird) I haven't weighed any but I'm sure some of them are over 2lbs already.

I think tractoring them would be dependant on the weather. Here it's been too cold and windy to put them outside without some additional heat so I'm still keeping them in my 4 x 8' brooder in the basement. If I had a better (more weather-resistant) tractor they'd do fine outside.

 

[newchickntown]

I was just talking to chat room ppl and they said 5-6months!! Mine are 8 weeks, fully feathered and fat.... I think it might be time!! they are having a hard time getting around.... afraid that their legs might give out.... any advice?

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

Quote:
butcher now.

 

[newchickntown]

thanks!

 

[slackwater]

yeah. 5-6 mos is for regular dual-purpose heavy breeds. Meaties are 5-6 WEEKS!!

 

[jaku]

They should be in the brooder at least a couple of weeks. If you get them in the late spring/early summer, you should be able to get them out earlier.