Experimenting with a few meat birds as pets

[Parront]

Awesome! I have a very large yard so they can are range in the summer. Winter is harder, because of predators, but they will have an appropriately sized run as well.
You say they need expert vitamins, should I put Vitamins, electrolytes, probiotics or stuff like that in their water? I have lots of Save-A-Chick so that is easy. I can also get Nutri-Drench and other vitamins if they need it. We give our horses MSM, is that something I would want to dissolve in their water for their joints? Lol! Or am I going overboard? Hahaha!

There is Broiler food, it has the extra stuff included. Higher protein, too. If it is hot, the electrolytes like Sav-A-Chick are good, but not all the time. The vitimins they need are in your yard already. They will kill your grass to get those vitamins and bugs! In winter when there is no grass I use Alfalfa pellets or alfalfa hay to give my birds those vitamins they need. You add hot water to the pellets just like for a horse.

 

[Weeg]

Awesome! I have a very large yard so they can are range in the summer. Winter is harder, because of predators, but they will have an appropriately sized run as well.
You say they need expert vitamins, should I put Vitamins, electrolytes, probiotics or stuff like that in their water? I have lots of Save-A-Chick so that is easy. I can also get Nutri-Drench and other vitamins if they need it. We give our horses MSM, is that something I would want to dissolve in their water for their joints? Lol! Or am I going overboard? Hahaha!

Any insight on this post above?
@MysteryChicken, you have anything to add? I know you helped with pet Cornish X before.

 

[Weeg]

There is Broiler food, it has the extra stuff included. Higher protein, too. If it is hot, the electrolytes like Sav-A-Chick are good, but not all the time. The vitimins they need are in your yard already. They will kill your grass to get those vitamins and bugs! In winter when there is no grass I use Alfalfa pellets or alfalfa hay to give my birds those vitamins they need. You add hot water to the pellets just like for a horse.

Got it, we don't like to feed Alfalfa to the horses since some say it can cause kidney issues, but we were just given some so we have lots of alfalfa cubes available. I can use Save-A-Chick when its hot, they can free range and get vitamins as well. But, what bat winter? They wont be able to free range as often in the winter, so Save-A-Chick and Alfalfa when they can't free range as well?

 

[Weeg]

I could also feed them their food in a water bottle with holes in it. It would take longer for them to eat the food, plus its a boredom buster. Hey! Thats a good idea! Haha, what do you think?

 

[FuzzyCritters]

Then I'm assuming weight is the best way to tell if they are eating enough/to much. Who much should they weight? About as much as a regular Cornish chicken?
How about coop design? So they don't roost, then is just a coop with flat floor fine? Do they need anything special?

I think feeling the keel bone would be the best way to tell if they are eating right. If it is very prominent and you can pinch it without feeling anything around it, they are too thin. If there is a lot of fat surrounding the keel, they are overweight. There should be a thin layer of fat around the keel, but you should be able to easily feel the keel bone.

For coop design, nothing special. You might want to include a low roost in case they want to roost, but have thick bedding so they can sleep on the ground if they choose.

 

[Parront]

Got it, we don't like to feed Alfalfa to the horses since some say it can cause kidney issues, but we were just given some so we have lots of alfalfa cubes available. I can use Save-A-Chick when its hot, they can free range and get vitamins as well. But, what bat winter? They wont be able to free range as often in the winter, so Save-A-Chick and Alfalfa when they can't free range as well?

I use alfalfa when there is no grass for them in winter or when they are cooped up. This is for my layer birds. I have not kept meat birds beyond 10 weeks. But, I would give them lots of greens if I wanted them to live a healthy life like my layers! No scratch/corn except what is in their pellets twice a day. All Flock is good when they get past chick age of about 12 weeks. Lower protein is better to keep them from having kidney and joint problems. Make them work for their food by finding it in your yard, or a compost bin in winter. I would only give them the Sav-A-Chick if/when they are stressed by heat in the summer.

 

[Weeg]

I use alfalfa when there is no grass for them in winter or when they are cooped up. This is for my layer birds. I have not kept meat birds beyond 10 weeks. But, I would give them lots of greens if I wanted them to live a healthy life like my layers! No scratch/corn except what is in their pellets twice a day. All Flock is good when they get past chick age of about 12 weeks. Lower protein is better to keep them from having kidney and joint problems. Make them work for their food by finding it in your yard, or a compost bin in winter. I would only give them the Sav-A-Chick if/when they are stressed by heat in the summer.

Got it, thank you! All flock once there adults, nothing other then their feed, lots of greens and forage when cooped up, deep bedding and low roosts, lower protein feed, and SaveAChick only when its hot and they are stressed. Thank so much!

 

[Parront]

Even heavy birds want to perch as they get older, if they can, a perch only a couple of feet of the ground might be used by a slender, fit Cornish pet!

 

[Parront]

Got it, thank you! All flock once there adults, nothing other then their feed, lots of greens and forage when cooped up, deep bedding and low roosts, lower protein feed, and SaveAChick only when its hot and they are stressed. Thank so much!

If they lay an egg, you will want to add calcium like oyster shell. Or switch to a layer feed. Some might use a higher protein layer feed, they will make big eggs! The all flock feed is a 17% protein feed and layer is usually 16. Cross that bridge when you get to it. You need to keep them lean and hungry until they are 20 weeks old before you worry about eggs!

 

[FuzzyCritters]

I forgot cornish are prone to getting stressed and overheated when hot. @Weeg when planning your coop and run, make sure they have a shady spot!