Cornish Hen- Special Needs

[ClaireAjideh]

I have a cornish hen who I rescued from being snake food. Didn't know the breed when I got her but she is now unmistakable a broiler. She is the sweetest little girl but she needs special care. I restrict her diet even now so she doesn't get to fat and put strain on her legs. Also, in a big flock she would fall to the bottom of the pecking order and be beat on. She would be a great pet.

Located in Berkeley CA

she's the big one in the pic

 

[ChookRanger]

Very cute. What are you planning to do with her? I heard that letting them free range and not giving them meat bird food lets them grow slower and prevents them from getting broken legs. Just curious.

 

[ClaireAjideh]

I'm hoping to find someone who can do just that for her. I've also heard the lower fat/protein foods given in rations is the best way. I had another cornish a few years ago with my flock so I wasn't able to restrict just her diet (and at the time I didn't know about food restriction for broilers) and she was unable to walk after a while.

 

[ChookRanger]

Good luck.

I hope you can find someone to make her into a pet.

 

[ClaireAjideh]

Found her a home!

 

[ChookRanger]

Congratulations!

 

[JennIY23]

I'm hoping someone can give me advice. Last week my wife and I bought 6 more chicks (3 sex link pullets, 2 silkies, and 1 Cornish Hen). They are 6 days old. We do not plan on using the Cornish for meat, but already she seems to be outgrowing the others. I am nervous about her (or him) getting too big too quickly. How can I make sure she's not too heavy for her legs? They're still so small I don't want to separate them yet. And what can I do for her as an adult? I do plan on letting them free range on weekends when I'm home, otherwise they'll have access to a caged run during the week.

 

[TwoCrows]

I'm hoping someone can give me advice. Last week my wife and I bought 6 more chicks (3 sex link pullets, 2 silkies, and 1 Cornish Hen). They are 6 days old. We do not plan on using the Cornish for meat, but already she seems to be outgrowing the others. I am nervous about her (or him) getting too big too quickly. How can I make sure she's not too heavy for her legs? They're still so small I don't want to separate them yet. And what can I do for her as an adult? I do plan on letting them free range on weekends when I'm home, otherwise they'll have access to a caged run during the week.

Welcome to BYC!

You might want to post this in our Meat Birds section for more help with your birds...https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/21/meat-birds-etc

Good luck with your birds!