Cornish rocks not laying

[Blisschick]

I have three big girls and two big boys that I have kept to possibly breed for more eggs, but they're now 6 months old and haven't even laid the first egg. I took them off the high protein turkey feed and put them on layer pellets in hopes that they'd slim down a little and be prompted to lay, but I don't know if it's going to work. Should I wait a month or so more, or should I just go ahead and put them in the freezer? I don't want to waste any more feed on them if they aren't going to be producers.

Stacey

 

[silkiechicken]

The birds they use to make these cornish x's are specially bred rock roosters and specially bred cornish hens. As with heavy birds, they might not lay for another month or two. Then if they did reach egg laying age, and if they look like my cornish x's... the rooster willbe too big and heavy to properly mate with the girls to make fertile eggs... Even if you do get fertile eggs, they might not breed true... like sexlink egg layers.

But, if you want, I'd like to see if you can get anything out of them.

Personally, they eat so much that it's worth buying the meat chicks...

 

[greyfields]

I'd be curious to see how this turns out. I asked the question once to someone and he stated he'd be surprised to see one live long enough to actually come into lay.

 

[Blisschick]

Quote:
I did have some of the chicks up and croak on me in the beginning, so I'm guessing that these are the ones that are tough enough to make it. I've let these loose in the yard to free range so they'd get some exercise and eat some grass, instead of just straight feed. They run at a pretty good clip when they don't want to be caught or my BB Red chases them. I'm surprised they haven't killed over just from that.

They crack my husband up because of the way the run--a very exaggerated waddle.

the rooster willbe too big and heavy to properly mate with the girls to make fertile eggs... Even if you do get fertile eggs, they might not breed true... like sexlink egg layers.

Good point. The roos have tried to do the job, but the girls put up a squawk and resist. I honestly don't see how they're going to accomplish the task. That they won't breed true is something I never thought about. I may just go ahead and put them in the freezer, then.

I have some red laced Cornish eggs in my incubator right now, in hopes of having a few to breed for meat next spring. I'm assuming that since they're a pure breed, the roos can get the job done. I guess that may be the way I'll go. My little bantam roo is a nice little chunky guy, so I can just imagine what the standards will be like!​

 

[greyfields]

White Cornish Roo + White Rock Hen = Cornish Cross

Cornish Cross Roo + Cornish Cross Hen != Cornish Cross

 

[silkiechicken]

Quote:
EEEKKK!!!

And I cam HERE to get away from programming!!!