First Run of Cornish Cross Meat Birds and Super Excited!

[duluthralphie]

I found the nest on the day the babies were suppose to hatch. I had followed her before an knew which way she was going, Everytime I was able to follow her a little further. I found her with 5 babies looked around and did not find the nest..

I brought her and the babies back to the shed...the next day I went out and looked where I had found her and found the nest between two "swamp humps" and under a thorny bush, with 7 drowned chicks in the eggs...


It was a miracle I found it... I knew kind of where it was and it took me a month to find it!

 

[ironrdr]

Just got done reading this whole thread to date. Whew.

I've got 25 meaties coming in April. Only have to move and repair a 8X12 shed to brood them in, and build some tractors to grow them out. This on top of R&R windows, roof and siding on my house. No pressure.

I feel better choosing 15 CX for some of my meaties after reading all your experiences with them. (The other 10 are Red Rangers)

Hopefully I'll be just as successful.

Updates to come...

-darrell

 

[duluthralphie]

Just got done reading this whole thread to date. Whew.

I've got 25 meaties coming in April. Only have to move and repair a 8X12 shed to brood them in, and build some tractors to grow them out. This on top of R&R windows, roof and siding on my house. No pressure.

I feel better choosing 15 CX for some of my meaties after reading all your experiences with them. (The other 10 are Red Rangers)

Hopefully I'll be just as successful.

Updates to come...

-darrell

Are you planning to raise them together?

 

[Double Kindness]

Cx are hitting a few of the feed stores here. I need a plucker pretty badly.

I have muscovies, so they aren't the friendliest breed.. i just want eggs and pretty birds & meat. My math says i need 6 more ducks, 3 turkeys and as many chicks as i can hatch and sell.

The svart honas and ayam cemani from greenfire farms are here. I processed one of my extra white bresse roos, he dressed out like a dream. Lots of fat and meat at 4.5 months of age.

 

[dpenning]

Sorry for not writing for so long, i ended up with a cellulitis infection and was hospitalized for 3 days

then i had to heal.

Good news, my bf is building me a duck pen this weekend and said i can get a turkey chick or two or three.. so what breed of turkey do i want? Ralphie?!

I'm looking for cayuga, runner and khaki campbell ducks over the next couple weeks as well as quail.

Oh and i picked up 1000lbs of non medicated gluten-free organic non gmo chick starter finally b/c i couldn't take being gluten bombed and my bf couldn't stand me crying when i thought of not having chickens again.

Your BF sounds like a keeper! Sorry to hear about the hospital stay, they suck. No other way to put it. Glad you get to move on to fun stuff.

 

[ironrdr]

Are you planning to raise them together?

I dunno. I'll keep them together in the brooder for 2 weeks, then evaluate separation then. I imagine they'll have to get separated at some point.

What's your opinion on separation?

-darrell

 

[duluthralphie]

I would have done it exactly backwards to you. I would keep them separate for the first 2 weeks, so the rangers could eat like crazy and feed the CX's twice a day for 15-20 minutes at a time.

Once I could get them outside and they could free range and eat scratch put them together.


Making sure the water and feed are not close together. With CX's I think you need to force them to walk and limit feed.

 

[ironrdr]

I would have done it exactly backwards to you. I would keep them separate for the first 2 weeks, so the rangers could eat like crazy and feed the CX's twice a day for 15-20 minutes at a time.

Once I could get them outside and they could free range and eat scratch put them together. 


Making sure the water and feed are not close together. With CX's I think you need to force them to walk and limit feed.

And that's why I am now part of this thread.

I never even thought of doing that, but since I read what you typed, and played it out in my head, that makes perfect sense.

Guess I'll be building two brooder boxes in my soon to be relocated and repaired shed.

-darrell

 

[mountain mom]

I can't contain the excitement!!! Talking about all our soon to be chicks!

I agree with Ralph. You should separate from the start, then they should be fine together later. But, still limit the feed. If the Rangers need more, they will look for it or fight for it.
We did both last year, not the same time, and preferred the CX. Everything about them. Ours would even escape their area and forage up to an acre of space! Not the Rangers though.

It was almost like summer here today... 65 and sunny. In the 70's by Sunday! I am sure we will get more snow at some point, but spring snow does not come with bitter cold usually. Yay!!
I totally have spring fever. I am even enjoying a Gin and Tonic.. usually a summertime drink for me.

 

[JessicaThistle]

Hi DK: Nice to have you back! Sorry you had some health issues. I had a period of sick myself and Ralphie is nearly dying. We have all said last rites for him because we are sure he won't make it, so he says. LOL!

irondr: Welcome Darrell!! I haven't raised the Rangers but I fed my cx free for all for the first two weeks while in the brooder. Understand that I use chick feeders and if they run out while I am at the store, I don't fret. When I move them to pasture is when I ration. Personally if I had been raising both breeds, I probably would have done what you did. Mainly because I like to try what works for me rather than what everyone else thinks. I would have researched and taken all opinions into consideration. One thing to note, I would NEVER raise layers with cornish cross. The layers would never get to eat. I guess the main thing that I am trying to say is to learn from this experience. If it works, great! If it doesn't, make changes as you go and learn what not to do next time!

Someone else said something that I wanted to respond to but I can't remember who or what, darn it! I'll have to look back.

UPDATE:
I smuggled 5 pullets from the farm today. I guess it isn't really smuggling because they are mine but it is fun to say that I saved them!! They went in with Ginger and Red, who by the way, were both so happy that they BOTH laid me eggs today!!!! Wahoo!! I thought the move would cause them stress and a few days with no eggs. Apparently my pasture is a happier place than a big barn with no grass or outdoor light! It was amazing to put them out on the grass and see them take it all in for the first time. It took them less than a minute to start scratching and exploring their new home.

I have never felt more like I am doing something so right and wonderful. I may be overworked and exhausted but seeing them happy makes it all worthwhile.