Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Triple Willow]

I don't believe my meatheads care if they have any heat or not...

 

[LindaB220]

I don't believe my meatheads care if they have any heat or not...

It's amazing isn't it. I thought mine would be freezing without the heat but they did fine. Running and happy to see the food lady.

 

[Brada Puhi]

Aloha kākou,

I wonder if anyone makes their own Cornish crosses. So many people say it cannot be done. What happens if I cross a dark Cornish with a barred rock? Will the offspring not grow as fast as the hatchery CXs? Do all of you guys buy your chicks from hatcheries? Just wondering. I feel like Iʻd like to try.

Aloha, Puhi

 

[Triple Willow]

Aloha kākou,

I wonder if anyone makes their own Cornish crosses.  So many people say it cannot be done.  What happens if I cross a dark Cornish with a barred rock?  Will the offspring not grow as fast as the hatchery CXs?  Do all of you guys buy your chicks from hatcheries?  Just wondering.  I feel like Iʻd like to try.

Aloha, Puhi

Hey there Puhi. There are some people trying it but it took the breeders of the CX's years and years to make their breeds. One guy I know of used CX pullets and Delaware and Dark Cornish roos and has some very nice meat birds.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Hello, Puhi!

The reason CXs can't be bred by us is because they are a 4-way cross that has been developing for 60 years. The strains of birds that go into producing them are actually patented. They have four lines, two for making hybrid vigor egg laying hens to produce the chicks, two for making the hybrid vigor huge bodied males for fertilizing, (both having been bred specially for this job for 60 years) and then those two hybrid vigor chickens are crossed to make the Cornish Cross we know today. There is, at this point, no real Cornish or white rock left in the lines. They're made from four different patented breed all of their own with ancestry in the Cornish and Rock breeds but no practical relation any more.

Many people are trying to produce their own, similar strains with large DP birds bred for is such as Delaware, Cornish, White Rocks, etc. But it takes some years before you can set up a four-point breeding program and get the double compounded hybrid vigor of the true CX to produce something that comes close.

 

[BCMaraniac]

Hello, Puhi!

The reason CXs can't be bred by us is because they are a 4-way cross that has been developing for 60 years. The strains of birds that go into producing them are actually patented. They have four lines, two for making hybrid vigor egg laying hens to produce the chicks, two for making the hybrid vigor huge bodied males for fertilizing, (both having been bred specially for this job for 60 years) and then those two hybrid vigor chickens are crossed to make the Cornish Cross we know today. There is, at this point, no real Cornish or white rock left in the lines. They're made from four different patented breed all of their own with ancestry in the Cornish and Rock breeds but no practical relation any more.

Many people are trying to produce their own, similar strains with large DP birds bred for is such as Delaware, Cornish, White Rocks, etc. But it takes some years before you can set up a four-point breeding program and get the double compounded hybrid vigor of the true CX to produce something that comes close.

CM, could you imagine how many breeding pens you would have to have to do it?

 

[ChocolateMouse]

BC, I do! It would probably be around eight pens... Two for each of the four "Strains" in your cross. There are several people on here doing hybrid vigor crosses like this and have had significant success with them but it sure is a lot of work.

 

[Regin]

There is more than one commercial version of the CX chickens that have been developed by different companies.

 

[LindaB220]

Aloha kākou,

I wonder if anyone makes their own Cornish crosses. So many people say it cannot be done. What happens if I cross a dark Cornish with a barred rock? Will the offspring not grow as fast as the hatchery CXs? Do all of you guys buy your chicks from hatcheries? Just wondering. I feel like Iʻd like to try.

Aloha, Puhi

Everyone will tell you that it can't be done. The best thing about CX's is the hugh size and very quick growout on less feed. You can try to mix your two breeds and see. Won't be as fast or as feed thrifty but you can get really good eating. Good luck. Try it.

 

[EnnisLakeFarm]

going to cut and paste this so I can try it. Sure wanting them to get some cover over their skin before the heat sets in. 2-3 of them were blistered today from the sun. A friend was here and he said to put some sunscreen on em. lol 

Thank you again Bee. I don't hold these chickens or rooster or anything. Only time I even handle them is when I need to do something to them. I DID try and hold the BA's just to make them used to me because I was having fits with them but not even doing that now. The BA's will not even come through the door if I am near the door or hubby either. Messing with the roo REALLY FREAKS them out when I do the stick with him. They are really shy chickens and once I get me some more RIR hens going I am going to sell these boogers because I just move too fast for them and they STAY spooked by me. lol Oh you should hear them if one is in the nesting boxes when I go to check for eggs. oh my gosh. lol I'll have to video one soon.

Hey Rose. Is your birds' feathering not any better? Mine seems quite a bit better. They still look a little rough but seem to be straightening up.

My birds don't like to be touched but the things are like puppies, can't hardly walk for them. I need to throw corn or something across the pen to get them out of the way. lol Some still won't move. They know the good stuff is in the bucket. lol

My Australorps don't particularly like being handled but they tolerate me. Ever since I've started ff though they've followed me everywhere I go. I've nearly stepped on them several times.