Cornish X's = Nastiest birds EVER

[RikkiMarie]

I've never had any issues with my Cornish X or the other ones that had been used for their meat on Saturday. I'm keeping one to hopefully have as just a companion bird and maybe for eggs, but honestly I never had any problems with them. YES they do poop a lot but that's because they eat a lot in order to gain weight for their meat! That is their purpose mostly - they are a fast growing bird, which doesn't make them nasty or disgusting, that's just what they are bred for. They're not mutants or anything like that either. Yes, my Cornish hen Butterball does sit in front of her food dish and eat out of it and make a mess, but it's because she's a chicken and chickens love to eat! I also have her free range and her siblings (before they were butchered) were also free range and they were like any other chicken, but with more upkeep. Also I haven't had any yellowing of Butterball's feathers (nor her siblings). They are indeed smelly birds too, but I think it's all how you bring them up before they are butchered (or if you decide to keep them for eggs.)

 

[woodduck farms]

I'm not really sure how people who have supposedly raised chickens for years can be shocked when it come to white broilers. you act like they were just brought around as a breed . white broilers have been cross bred to grow as they do today for decades. they are meant only to convert feed into meat , period. they are not meant to add landscaping to your backyard. they are not grown to bond with you as a friend. this breed comes with its downsides. whether or not you grow it on organic , soy free feed or on commercially available feed it is still nothing like you will buy in a grocery store. pastured birds no matter if they are white broilers, freedom ranger, red rangers , or pioneers are in by no means grocery store birds , please don't be holier than thou when speaking about meat bird breeds . most meat bird breed mistakes are bird management and by no means the breed. We pasture raise 75 birds twice a year in a small 1 acre pasture and you would never know we raised chickens. they make chocolate and vanilla ice cream for a reason.to each their own.

 

[FarMLadie]

I know what you mean I raise just Cornish for meat and yes all they do is eat and poop. I raise 25 to 50 at a time, they are with me til they are about 5 wkks or so and then out they go into the freezer. I consulted a chicken farmer before I started the process, lst light on 24hrs a day, fresh water at all times and food before them at all times, then all they do is grow. They usually dress out 4lbs and more sometimes there are a few that are 2-3lbs. They are not out running around in the pen they have an adequate floor area for the amount of birds I raise. Yes raising your own chicken is a messy business but I am my Mothers and grandmothers daughter.

 

[ChickenGoesRuff]

I raised 28 CX over the summer and only lost one lame chicken to an owl. Yet all my birds lived a full life outdoors (with a coop, of course) until we had them butchered. At first, the thought of butchering my baby chickens mortified me, but if you think about it, they can lead a happier, fuller life and you know that they were humanely raised. Plus, pound for pound, it can be a money saver vs. buying processed chicken. Mine averaged at six pounds and running towards me everytime I got home.

 

[rosinsk1772]

My backyard is smaller but I want to try raising the CX. Is there a good way to raise in a pen without allowing them to free range, and trying to keep the smell down? I have layers, and use the deep litter method with great success, but my layers are agressive and I fear combining birds will be bloody lol

 

[lazy gardener]

If you want minimal odor, start them on fermented feed right away. You'll notice a big difference in comparison to regular feed. What do you have available for space? If it would work for you, (assuming that you don't have coop space for them) I'd recommend making a tractor or hoop coop out of cattle panels. It could be stationary with deep litter or mobile. It would need a tarp covering over hardware cloth (preferably) or chicken wire.

 

[rosinsk1772]

I could spare 25 sq/ft to another coop/run? I'd like to get 25 x's to fill the freezer for a couple good meals per month. We are in the city and on a corner lot so we use chemical fertilizer for our front yard so I won't put chickens on it

 

[mnabity]

This past summer I raised Cornish X for the first time. I had planned on raising 25 but because I ordered with someone else (to save money) and they backed out after the birds were shipped I wound up with 100. Even with that I had a great experience raising them and plan on raising more just definitely in a smaller amount. There are a few things I learned from people on here that really helped make it a little easier. DEFINITELY use fermented feed and apple cider vinegar (in their water) from day one (I didn't for the first week and once I did it made a big difference). Each bird needs no less than 2sqft of space. If using a tractor, move it daily. Make sure they have room to move around. To make them move put their water and food apart from each other. Raise their food/water up to chest level so they have to stand to eat(be sure it's stable). For a great feeder/waterer get a 10ft plastic rain gutter, cut it in half and put caps on the ends. It's inexpensive, holds feed and water without leaks, and a bunch of birds can eat/drink at the same time from either side. Also, I've read in many places people either feed their birds twice a day what they'll eat in 15 minutes or feed them once a day what they eat in 15 minutes and let them free range all day (this is what I did).
Edited for spelling

 

[lazy gardener]

I could spare 25 sq/ft to another coop/run? I'd like to get 25 x's to fill the freezer for a couple good meals per month. We are in the city and on a corner lot so we use chemical fertilizer for our front yard so I won't put chickens on it

Are you saying you can spare a 5 foot x 5 foot area? If so, there's no way you can raise 25 birds safely in that space. If you're talking about 25 feet by 25 feet = 125 square feet, it'll be tight and messy, but you could do it. They will need shelter. What do you plan to use for that?

Also, if you have chickens, you certainly don't need chemical fertilizer on the front lawn! Let the girls take care of that for you. It's what they do best! If you're not using herbicides or pesticides, I'd feel comfortable letting them run on that front lawn after a month. The fertilizer runs down into the soil and leaches pretty quickly. But, the ...icides... that's an other story, and I'd not feel comfortable letting them play in grass that has been treated with them.

 

[rosinsk1772]

I looked today and I have an area I could build a 15x4 foot pen with coop. I plan to raise the mmurray jumbo CX and butcher at 7 weeks