Cornish X's as Roasters....What about Cornish Roasters?? See post#3

[Thomas423]

I understand that if "managed" properly cornish x's can be grown to 10lb roasters.
How is this done? I don't want the birds falling over dead from heart problems.
I don't mind if it takes longer to grow large, but healthy birds for roasters.

 

[scubaforlife]

It is done via nutrition management and exercise. You have to move the birds around, and make sure they don't get "all they want" to eat. There is a thread on keeping CXs for a long time.

 

[Thomas423]

I was reading on McMurray's website that they sell cornish roasters.
Quote from McMurray:
"It is ideal as a fryer (when butchered young), roaster or capon. The Cornish Roaster takes about 2 weeks longer to mature than the Jumbo Cornish X Rock but still has all of the same qualities; large breast and thighs, yellow skin, and is easy to dress. Because it grows slower, many of the potential leg problems are often eliminated. This bird is more active than our Cornish X Rock and has a fine feed conversion rate. "

Anyone with experience? Any suggestions?

 

[Buster52]

Their roasters are probably just Cornish X that you grow out a little longer, but people who actually raise the things can probably tell you more.

As far as management goes, Jaku seems to have it down to a science, and Brunty_Farms has been raising them successfully for years. I'm sure they will be along shortly to give some good advice.

To summarize, Jaku recommends feeding them 12 on/12 off, and tractors them, moving the tractor up to 3 times a day.

 

[Slinkytoys]

I buy the roasters and have good luck with them. I have to use them because of our altitude (over 7000 ft.) Haven't had the leg or flip problems, the birds are very juicy and big. The last bunch of mostly hens, ended up with on average 7 lbs. The only place I've gotten them from has been McMurray.
Slinky

 

[Brunty_Farms]

It's really hard to do, but you have to do it slowly. Start them out on a 16 % protein grower from the first day until 10 weeks. The last 4 weeks feed them a 22% protein and then process. You should have 10-14 lbs by the time it's done.

You have to start them slowly and let their body frame grow first.... than pack on the meat later.

For the first 4 weeks feed them 24/7 and then the remaining 10 weeks feed them on the 12 on 12 off ( I just feed mine with the sunlight)

 

[jaku]

Quote:
Are you talking 10 pounds DRESSED or 10 pounds LIVE? They are easy to get to that if you're looking for live weight. I think Cassie grows most of hers to that size dressed, so maybe she will chime in. Buster is correct on what I do for management- tractors and restricted feed are the way to go.

 

[cassie]

I feed mine turkey feed, as in turkey starter and turkey grower. I feed twelve hours on and twelve off starting at about two weeks. I add something like Broiler Booster to the water. We usually process at 10 to 12 weeks or so and they are in the 11 to 13 pound range by then. This year, for reasons beyond my control, we held some of them to 16 weeks or more. We did lose a few holding them that long. Those cockerels were in the 16 pound range. Or even more. Looked like turkeys. That's dressed weight. Didn't weigh them live. I have a picture of one of those guys next to a standard fryer. I'd show it to you if I could figure out how to upload it.

You can cut down on losses by keeping a close eye on them. Around here, anything with a purple comb, or has trouble walking, or is reluctant to move gets processed ASAP. Those symptoms usually mean the chicken is having heart problems.