First Run of Cornish Cross Meat Birds and Super Excited!

[JessicaThistle]

Pearl laid her first egg at 15ish weeks. Middle of the winter, during a terrible snow storm, before I had put a light in the coop to keep up egg production. She laid some odd eggs at the start, but after a few months, she was my second best layer. 2nd biggest eggs too.
When we processed her first flock, we had a couple of roos that were trying to crow. We processed at 12 or 13 weeks, I can't remember exactly.

The "average" age for a hen to start laying is 6 months, so I would say she was an early bloomer. But supposedly "heavier" breeds will likely lay a bit sooner. She was my only hen to start laying so early.

I missed your post before I responded to Jr's post. Sorry about that. I totally think it is just the different strains as you say. I had a Barred Rock, two EEs and a silkie start laying at 16 weeks old, so I kinda have the "they lay when they lay" mentality. I don't think there is any solid schedule.

 

[JRNash]

So squeezing them won't help.

 

[JessicaThistle]

So squeezing them won't help.

Oh, I have tried and tried this. Sadly, no. Haha!

 

[Red Nugget]

I believe your right. I was planning onn 22weeks for first eggs

My 4 girls are 20 weeks and no eggs yet. But if I touch them on the back they squat a little. Is that what I should looking for when you refried to them as squatters or is it something else?

 

[Red Nugget]

I went into the hospital over a week ago.Three bags of fluids,bp was 53/35 and my phsyc meds were all screwed up. I've stopped the serequel and depakote over the last 9 days. Emotions are a roller coaster ride from hades.But I'm hoping i can finish out the next phase of this job.

I take Zyprexa, Effexor, Neurontin, and Merinol. I contacted each pharmaceutical company and applied for Patient Assistance. They send me a 3 month supply for free. Some companies make you recertify every 6 months and others every 3 months. Extra Zenica makes Seroquel and they approve for 1 yr with a tax return. I think Abott makes Depakote but I'm not sure about the renewal processes for them. I had been going to a public mental health clinic before I became a nurse and had insurance. They usually only charge by a sliding fee. I never had to pay more than $10 a visit. Most larger communities have a clinic of some kind. Here its called Gateway mental health care.

 

[JRNash]

That's good to know. The problem I have Is that I suffered a heat stroke in the Army 20 years ago.My body doesn't handle heat. The meds intensify the heat problems. Everyone would have kittens if they knew I wasn't taking meds. I have to go back to work.

 

[JessicaThistle]

My 4 girls are 20 weeks and no eggs yet. But if I touch them on the back they squat a little. Is that what I should looking for when you refried to them as squatters or is it something else?

Yes! If they squat a little they are getting there. Deep squat should be egg in 1-2 weeks. At least that's my observation with my hens.

 

[JRNash]

Ive got more chickens to buy!!

 

[daskhan]

I would say no to that.  Sunny laid an egg somewhere between 16-18 weeks old. So, I'd say sexual maturity can be at standard rate or slower. She did not lay well.  I maybe got a dozen eggs from her over the course of her lifetime, while Pearl, MMs CX, laid more.  I don't think sexual maturity was ever taken into account with CXs as that wasn't ever supposed to be the option.  Therefore, I think you will just have to watch and see what your's does.  

I think that we are the ones that are going to have to study and post our findings on this as I don't think that scientists are interested in this one.    

I was reading earlier that it's near impossible to make your own Cxs because the hatcheries breed for the traits... How do they breed for that if their Cxs never lay eggs? So I believe breeding Cxs is completely possible and I have faith in you guys I also believe if you cross the cx with a rir yourll solve the egg problem

 

[JessicaThistle]

I was reading earlier that it's near impossible to make your own Cxs because the hatcheries breed for the traits... How do they breed for that if their Cxs never lay eggs? So I believe breeding Cxs is completely possible and I have faith in you guys I also believe if you cross the cx with a rir yourll solve the egg problem

CXs are a cross between two other breeds of chicken. That's where the Cross in their name comes from. There has been an argument here about whether a hatched Cornish Cross egg results in a Cornish Cross baby. That was an ugly argument resulting in someone being asked to leave the thread by me. I would prefer not to revisit that argument.

However, many here are crossing various breeds and sharing the results. It is lots of fun and quite promising.