Cornish x: Batch two

[Shastababy]

I appreciate your careful documentation both on this batch and the last one. We just got our first Cornish Crosses today (15) and are pretty excited. It is so helpful to have a guide to sorta know what to expect in the weeks ahead.

 

[Tre3hugger]

I appreciate your careful documentation both on this batch and the last one. We just got our first Cornish Crosses today (15) and are pretty excited. It is so helpful to have a guide to sorta know what to expect in the weeks ahead.

No problem, thanks for reading! Good luck with your first batch! How are you managing them? Where did you get them from?

 

[Shastababy]

No problem, thanks for reading! Good luck with your first batch! How are you managing them? Where did you get them from?

I ordered from Hoovers. I've gotten two orders of layers from them and been pretty happy, these are our first meat birds.
Currently in a brooder with a light, will move to the grow out pen as they outgrow that space. Then out to the pasture and coop. My husband is building an area for meat birds so they will be separate from the rest of the girls. We're in NE Florida, so temps are still mild. I think they will be fine outside by 3-4 weeks as they will have a shelter if the temps drop.
I've got them on starter crumbles 18%. Should I change that as they grow and if so, to what? Also, the McMurray Broiler Booster you use, is that only available from McMurray Hatchery or can I get it at TSC? My local feed store has very little for chickens other than feed.
Thanks for the support!

 

[Tre3hugger]

I ordered from Hoovers. I've gotten two orders of layers from them and been pretty happy, these are our first meat birds.
Currently in a brooder with a light, will move to the grow out pen as they outgrow that space. Then out to the pasture and coop. My husband is building an area for meat birds so they will be separate from the rest of the girls. We're in NE Florida, so temps are still mild. I think they will be fine outside by 3-4 weeks as they will have a shelter if the temps drop.
I've got them on starter crumbles 18%. Should I change that as they grow and if so, to what? Also, the McMurray Broiler Booster you use, is that only available from McMurray Hatchery or can I get it at TSC? My local feed store has very little for chickens other than feed.
Thanks for the support!

I agree they will be fine outside at 3-4 weeks. I am in massachusetts and just put mine out in the coop with no additional heat and they are not quite a month old.
I use Dumor 20% protein starter/grower all the way through. That is just what works for me because I don't want to have to worry about timing and switching feeds. Toward the end I mix in a bit of corn (about 15 lbs into the last 50lb bag) to up the fat ratio and lower the protein content (more meat, less bone). I think the 18% will probably be ok for you. It depends how hard you are going to poush their growth. I use 20% to try and promote strong bone growth early and hopefully circumvent the leg problems some Cornish x seem to have. So far it ain't broke so I'm not fixing it lol. I also free feed for the first 3-4 weeks then switch to two, 1 hour feeding sessions a day.
I have only seen the broiler booster specific vitamin mix from mcmurray. It contains Vitamin A, D, E, B-12, electrolytes, and biotin as its active ingredients, which really works to counteract weak legs. I attribute these vitamins at least in part to my birds still running around chasing bugs at 7 weeks old. I use it 4-6 times a week for the first two weeks and then 2-4 times a week for the rest of their life. I think it is a valuable tool in counteracting the health problems these birds are prone to.
Hope I answered your questions. Any more please feel free to ask, and keep us posted how your little nuggets are doing!

 

[Shastababy]

I have only seen the broiler booster specific vitamin mix from mcmurray. It contains Vitamin A, D, E, B-12, electrolytes, and biotin as its active ingredients, which really works to counteract weak legs. I attribute these vitamins at least in part to my birds still running around chasing bugs at 7 weeks old. I use it 4-6 times a week for the first two weeks and then 2-4 times a week for the rest of their life. I think it is a valuable tool in counteracting the health problems these birds are prone to.
Hope I answered your questions. Any more please feel free to ask, and keep us posted how your little nuggets are doing!

Thank you so much-I will order some. I want to provide the best possible to avoid problems. I'm sure I will have more questions as we go on, its great to have experienced people to turn to.

 

[Tre3hugger]

Thank you so much-I will order some. I want to provide the best possible to avoid problems. I'm sure I will have more questions as we go on, its great to have experienced people to turn to.

No problem! I'm quite new to this myself and totally understand the value of this community for some peace of mind. Enjoy the experience, and check in often!

 

[Tre3hugger]

Had a VERY busy day in my medicine garden today, but found time to snap some pics of the meaties. They are 4 weeks old today! I will get some weights tomorrow.

 

[Tre3hugger]

Average weight today, after weighing 8 birds including the smallest and largest, is 2lb, 9oz! They are really growing wonderfully.
Still a rather large disparity, with the smallest being 1lb11oz and the largest at 3lb3oz. Maybe they just understand I want to stagger my processing, and they're working with me.

 

[3KillerBs]

Average weight today, after weighing 8 birds including the smallest and largest, is 2lb, 9oz! They are really growing wonderfully.
Still a rather large disparity, with the smallest being 1lb11oz and the largest at 3lb3oz. Maybe they just understand I want to stagger my processing, and they're working with me.

Are they straight run, males, or females?

 

[Tre3hugger]

Are they straight run, males, or females?

Straight run