cornish rocks

[mom wewantchicks!]

well we "accidentaly" got some cornish rocks at tsc. we are new to chicks and even thought we said we wanted pet/layers the guy let us walk right out with two. my dh will have no problem serving them up for dinner! anyway they are almost 4 weeks,when can they go out? i thought i read as early as 4 weeks,what does the temp have to be? and since we will probably butcher them at 8 weeks (right?) can i just let them eat all they want?

 

[greyfields]

Welcome to BYC!

mom,wewantchicks! :

my dh will have no problem serving them up for dinner! anyway they are almost 4 weeks,when can they go out? i thought i read as early as 4 weeks,what does the temp have to be?

If your nighttime lows are above 45, I wouldn't worry about them. If it's getting close to that, provide a heat lamp for them at night.

mom,wewantchicks! :

and since we will probably butcher them at 8 weeks (right?) can i just let them eat all they want?

I always free choice feed mine. Others remove food for 12 hours during the night. With only two birds, you can hardly go wrong. Now, watch how quickly they grow compared to your other purebreeds. It will amaze you.

Ideally, cornish crosses should have a broiler feed. But since you have only 2, it's not practical to split hte brooder or feeders. So, keep all of them on starter/grower until the broilers are ready.​

 

[mmajw]

I slaughter mine at 8 weeks. I also dont take their food away at night. Good luck they are very yummy.

 

[wynedot55]

you can put them out at 4wks old.an butcher them at 6 to 8 weeks.