My cornish x birds are five weeks old as of yesterday. My daughter and I were out in the yard letting the chickens out of their tractor (FINALLY some sunshine after 6 days of rain). They were all running around fine and happy to be outside in the sun. Then I noticed one slow way down, ruffled feathers and the comb was purple color and the legs got dusky colored. The bird them literally flipped onto its back and then uprighted itself with some effort and just sat there face into the ground with eyes closed. It didn't die (yet). Was that a "flip over" aka heart attack we witnessed? Poor things growing so fast. I am ready to try another breed for sure next time. So far we have lost 3: 1 pretty much DOA 1 just laid down and died at 2 1/2 weeks in the brooder 1 I assume from cocci (I culled it) 24 to go!! Kelly
Cornish X are known for heart attacks. You probably did witness one almost die. Most Cornish X are ready for slaughter at 8 weeks, if you go longer than that you may loose alot to heart attacks. Make sure they have plenty of shade and water and a cool place if they are staying in a coop and hopefully you won't loose anymore.
Thanks. They always have shade and water; it has actually been quite cool since they have been out. That's why I wanted to do this in the spring. Went out to check on it after posting and it was struggling. I culled it. My second cull--not as hard as the first I had to do last week. Thanks again for the reply. Kelly
Yeah, culling now was a good choice, as as soon as they start to go purple, they often won't make it much longer. Best of luck!
The clock is ticking. Cull/eat it now if you want to salvage anything from it. Otherwise you'll just come out one morning to find it stiff and frozen.
Probably excited from being outside, caused stress on the heart. Ive noticed when I make a meatbirds space bigger they seem happy and run around flapping their wings. That must get the heart pumping.