Cornish X weight at 2 weeks? (Updated, Now Four Weeks)

[Harmony]

I'm raising Cornish X for 4-H. I'm concerned that my chicks aren't gaining enough weight. The chicks weigh between 7.3 and 9.8oz, and are just over two weeks old. This seams a little small? Around how much do your Cornish X chicks normally weigh at 2 weeks?

As far as feed goes, I've been feeding "Game Bird Startena" (it has 30% protein) as their sole ration since I got them. I started feeding them 12 hours on and 12 hours off on day 9.

Could it be the feed? They weren't ever fed anything with a coccidiostat (spelling?), but they seam to be very healthy (and somewhat flighty) birds otherwise.

 

[cassie]

Go to welphatchery.com. They have a chart on the bottom of the page that tells how to care for Cornish X that gives the expected weight for pullets and cockerels by week.

 

[Harmony]

I've seen the chart at Welp Hatchery before, but I don't know how accurate the chart is. I was hoping someone here could fill me in a little more. Going by the chart, that would mean the chicks are about half the weight their supposed to be.

Still, shouldn't they be bigger than if they were raised on the 20-22% chicks starter? They have two square feet per bird, so they do have room to move around a little. Could the space be the problem? Any Input would be appreciated. Thank You.

 

[Neil Grassbaugh]

Even though you are not allowing them as much light time as recomended they are very far behind.
It sounds like you are using the right feed. Is it fresh?
You are banking on your luck not using a coccidiastat.
Water supply adequate?

Now for what I really suspect-

Maybe you got a breed of chicken (white) Rocks, Wyandottes, Leghorns et al. That would account for their additional activity as well.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Quote:
You seem to be doing everything fine. However most do not restrict feed until two weeks. This would explain why yours are shy of their normal weight. Feeding them 12 on 12 off slows their growth way down.... so expect this when doing this feeding schedule. If you want you can boost their feed to 24 hours again until about 3-4 weeks and then change them to a day only schedule. For instance feed them what they can eat in a days time allowing them to sleep at night.

Good luck...

 

[cassie]

Are you sure they are Cornish Rocks? Mine are never what you would call flighty at any age. They are the most laid back chickens I have ever seen. And even young they are somewhat disproportionate. Their legs look too heavy and the chickens themselves look clunky. When you pick up a Cornish Rock they feel heavy and dense. Much heavier than another variety chick of the same size. If you have White Rocks or something that would explain their behavior and their size. BTW, Welp suggests you start limiting the feed at 5 days. The fact that you are limiting the feed to 12 on and 12 off at this time does not explain their small size. I think you probably have something other than Cornish X.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

BTW, Welp suggests you start limiting the feed at 5 days. The fact that you are limiting the feed to 12 on and 12 off at this time does not explain their small size. I think you probably have something other than Cornish X.

Most people restrict feed after two weeks. If you restrict feed after 5 days you will see a huge difference in sizes compared to one that was fed full feed for two weeks. Also without feeding a medicated feed and restricting feed at such a young age could have them picking at the litter because they are hungry. This would lead to them getting coccidiosis... especially on an empty stomach.

I doubt if you ordered cornish x rocks from a hatchery that they screwed it up and sent you white rocks. Do you have any pics of them? Which hatchery did you use?​

 

[Brunty_Farms]

After looking at your weights again, your on the small side but your not that far off. Mine usually weigh in at .85 lbs. If yours are are averaging out at about a 1/2 pound your not off by much.... I feed 24/7 for the first two weeks and I use 24%. So I'm willing to bet that those extra 12 hours that they aren't getting to eat is the difference.

I looked at Welps chart and it looks to be a little off. At least compared to my records. That's a very good line if they are getting one pound birds in two weeks.

 

[Harmony]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll try feeding 24/7 and see what happens from there.

We ordered them in through the local feed store, they're from Privett Hatchery.

We do keep some White Rocks, these (the Cornish X chicks) seam to have a more prominent keel bones, and much fuller breasts. That being said, our White Rock chicks are fed a 20% protein feed, not 30%.

Their waterer is kept clean and full. The feed store here had been out of the feed (Game Bird Startena) just a few days before the chicks came in, and had just gotten the feed in the day before we picked up the chicks, so it's fresh feed.

I'll try and get some pictures up later. Thank You All Again.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Also your going over kill with the 30% save yourself some money and drop them down to a 24%.