Cornish Xs turned out BEAUTIFULLY!

[ChikeeMomma]

This was my fist experiencs with Cornish Xs. I did Dixie Rainbows last year. The Cornish were way better, in my opinion. I let them go to 9 & 10 weeks. I fed them a 24% Dumor game feed from TSC through six weeks and then switched to a 18% protein locally mixed feed after that. And this past week, I fed them corn, too. I let them outside at 2.5 weeks of age -- into a 12x20 run. I started with 12 chicks and culled one at 3.5 weeks because it was acting weird -- not eating for a couple days and sat with eyes closed. Other than that I had no issues at all. They eventually free ranged from about six weeks on -- just in the evening. They were hefty yet very energetic right up until the end (and in 90 degree weather). I raised them right along laying pullets with no problem, but they all had plenty of space. I can't believe how much meat is on them compared to the Dixie's (and they put that on in 7 weeks less time), oh and a nice layer of fat! They came from Townline Hatchery in Zeeland, MI. Sorry for the rambling, but I had such a great experience! Just thought I'd share!

 

[Me & My Peeps]

NIce! I was going to do some this year myself but, time being what it is - I dont see it happening. Do you have a plucker? I am putting the parts together for one now......From what I read, its the only way to go

 

[ChikeeMomma]

Actually, no I don't have a plucker -- I didn't even butcher them. I took them to the Amish -- not too far from me. I dropped them off last night and this morning they butchered them and I picked them up at 11:00am. They charge me $1.50/bird. They do a great job and it's neat to visit with them.

I was going to mention that from the time that I let them outside I moved their feed and water out there -- so the had to go outside and they had to move a distance to go from food to water.

 

[JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom]

It seems there are some strains of Corn X that are better than others. Townline must have a good strain.

We also employ the Amish here in WI for processing, same price, beautiful isn't it?

Congrats on your successful season!

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

awesome info thanks so much for sharing! so what were their weights at butcher time?

 

[ChikeeMomma]

JoAnn -- it is nice to have the Amish just a half hour away! I asked if they did turkeys and they do -- $3.00/bird -- not too bad!

Katy -- I just picked them up this morning. They are resting on ice in the fridge. When I package them up, I'll weigh them. I don't have the correct type of scale, but it should do. Just from looking at them, I'm guessing that they run from 4 to 7 pounds (I had a few hefty's in there!). I was so nervous that I'd have broken legs or heart attacks or other Cornish X problems when I got them this year, but I think my system has worked pretty well. Think I'll do at least 25 next spring. I still cannot get over how big, yet healthy and energetic these guys were -- right up until the end!

 

[SteveH]

Glad you had such a great experience . Were they the Vantress X Arbor strain or the Hubbard strain ?

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

Will the hatcheries tell you what strain they are?

 

[Bossroo]

Chikee Mama... CONGRATULATIONS on a successful crop of Cornish X. I give all the credit to your husbandry practices for the great returns. As the old saying goes... "The eye of the master fattens the cattle"

 

[SteveH]

Quote:
Townline does , and they offer this sales pitch on the Hubbard White Mountain :

" It is a quiet bird, extremely fast growing, well-feathered and has excellent
conformation. It is the type that many hatcheries refer to as "cornish cross"
and is fully capable of reaching a weight of 4 lbs. in 6 to 7 weeks.
They also make excellent roasters, rapidly attaining the 7 to 8 lbs.
required for this type of bird. The pullets ay a reasonable amount of eggs
for several months if not allowed to become too fat. "