Cornish X - Pullets or Males?

[bigredfeather]

How close are they to being butchered? The reason I ask, day-old chicks are still cheaper right now. I have a feeling it is because of the cold weather. I was thinking about getting some this weekend while they're still reduced. It would be nice to have some meat in the freezer for this winter. I'm concerned it may be very cold by the first of the year. Maybe it wouldn't really matter. I guess I could get a heat lamp. I have additional room right next to my layers. I think the question is can Cornish's tolerate the same low temps that layers can? If they can, then there is no reason that you couldn't do them in the winter.

 

[Acre of Blessings]

Quote:
We will be butchering in Nov. so I willlet you all know how it went here.


Also caress~~~ They don't charge $4000 + to ship birds. Call the 888# and order by phone. I myself like to talk to a human instead of just typing in on a screen. This way you know the order was taken the way you want it.

 

[miss_jayne]

Quote:
they have 2 1/2 weeks to go. i would have them this winter, i just don't have anymore freezer space. (i traded chicken for 1 1/2 whole pigs and a whole cow!)

i will try to get a picture of the house and all tomorrow for you.

 

[Acre of Blessings]

Quote:
Forgot to even give an opinion to the question. haha

It is best to order straight run, this way you get two different size birds. Small/med. to Large. YOu can let the females go a few extral weeks if you wantthemm all to be big or you can let the roos go a couple weeks less if you want all small birds. I like the straight runs. Thats gives you a choice in the end.

 

[Acre of Blessings]

Quote:
they have 2 1/2 weeks to go. i would have them this winter, i just don't have anymore freezer space. (i traded chicken for 1 1/2 whole pigs and a whole cow!)

i will try to get a picture of the house and all tomorrow for you.

We have 4 1/2 weeks left. miss_jayne, how many chicken did you trade for a cow?

 

[wyliefarms]

We just shipped our chickens two weeks ago. They ate more..maybe from the cooler temps?!?

I won't raise them again in the fall if I can help it. Had to use the heat lamp more and on the cold rainy nights (which we had a few!) move them in side out of their movable outside pen.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[willheveland]

Quote:
I haven't yet,knock on wood.I'm sure it could happen I live in the middle of the woods.I try to keep activity going on around the house during the day.If you move them alittle each day,critters won't get use to them in one spot.Our windows are open at night during the warm weather and I sleep with one eye open,close to a scatter gun.

This is the latest in the season that I have ever raised meatbirds,after this year I probably will never try it unless I get my birds no later than Sept. 1. Spring and summer is so much better.Tractors are the way to go,I wouldn't suggest raising meatbirds in a building after they feather out.I got them in a tractor wrapped three sides in a tarp.It has been raining so hard I have been dumping bagged leaves inside to give them dry bedding.Can't wait to get them processed. Will

 

[bigredfeather]

I just called Meyer Hatchery. Shipping to anywhere in Ohio for up to 51 chicks is $12.95.

 

[bigredfeather]

Well, I need to decide today wheather or not to try a batch this Fall/Winter. If I order today or Friday, they will be here Tuesday. I just don't know what to do. I have zero expirience with chicks. I've been reading some things on BYC concerning chicks in past threads, and have gotten some helpfull tips. Typically how long do Cornish X's need to be in a brooder?

Someone stated that chickens were addictive in my first post. They were right.

 

[Chickending]

I have a different experience, I have done three large batches of meat birds in the last year and half, I did all pullets the first and third and in the middle I did a straight run batch. Personally I will only do pullets again. I take mine to a processor so I do not have the luxury of doing some early and some later. I have found a few lessons out on this experience,
I will never raise meat birds in the summer. This next spring I will get them early so they are processed early June. I have found Fall to be a good time too.
I have also found that the pullets grow a bit slower and then I do not have as many with leg problems. My late spring/summer batch of meat birds this year, I lost almost 10 to either heat or leg problems and that was a staight run. I just processed my fall batch of 87, I purchased 90 so I only lost 3 chicks and that was in the first month or so.
The pullets seem to get to a good consisitent size. I got them back from the processor and they are all about 8lbs give or take. Very nice sized birds.

Now the turkeys that is a different story, I have no idea how I will fit a 38lb turkey in the oven....I had a great success with this fall batch of meat birds.