First Run of Cornish Cross Meat Birds and Super Excited!

[LindaB220]

The ghost riders have been outside a week now, are pushing on 2 weeks old, and are as adventurous as ever! Yesterday I caught them (they can squeeze through the garden fence) roaming with the big gals. One was even sitting on Kiedis (a speckled sussex) back!
I have noticed the past few nights they were not really using their lamp anymore. They were all but out of their coop trying to stay cooler. So, last night I didn't turn it on. It was only 75 watt, and the low was projected at 53, so I went for it. I checked on them a couple of times, they were in a chicken ball, but not so tight I couldn't see faces. A few even popped their heads up, no unhappy sounds, wondered what on earth I was doing, and went back to snoozing. I think they are done with the lamp unless we have some really cold nights. It has still been in the low 80's during the day. The snow a couple of weeks ago must have been random... for now

Cohomestead- I think if you are letting the meaties free range for the day, you will not need the tractor. If they would only be in the coop and run, then a tractor would greatly cut stink factor. Fermented feed does as well. I just started it for my meat birds, and can tell a difference. I'm not sold on fermented feed completely, but I do think it is good for the meat birds. And they LOVE it

So do my layers, they rush me and try to fly to my hands to steal some.

Yes, yes, many times I've had the bowl tumped upside down on the ground.

 

[LindaB220]

Finally finished reading the entire thread. Wow.

I think my CX birds are a bit odd compared to everyone else. I have 25 that were moved out to the big pen (about 10'x20') this week at 4 weeks old. I'm in the foothills in NH and it's 40's at night and 60's during the day right now. Already had our first frost. Everyone else's birds seem comfy at those temps, but mine are still snoozing under the heat lamp at night. I built a bunkhouse for them to keep the wind off and give everyone a warm, dry spot to snooze if they need it. They use it every night and nap in it during the day. They make a comfortable, sprawling pile so I don't think the heat is too much or not enough. They seem quite happy. The temp shows at about 70 at night in the bunkhouse.

My eight week laying pullets that are in the pen with them also use it, but during the day for a non moving sunbeam. They roll in the sawdust and sprawl out like they're sunbathing. They're going to be heart broken when it's time to take the lamp away. They're fully feathered out and don't need it, but it's shady on our property and they seem to appreciate a sunbeam they can depend on.

It's just odd to see everyone else saying that their birds run warm when mine have always seemed to prefer the heat. Even in the brooder I had to step the temp down carefully so they didn't huddle. They look great, all 25 are active and eating and feathering out. They're from Murray McMurray and I've had very little trouble with them healthwise. One injured leg (probably due to sibling), one passed just after arrival. I guess some just like it hot.

Great thread, I'll keep following along.

Funny post.

Your birds are spoiled. But that's okay. We all spoil ours is different ways. Beware the heating lamp is a electric guzzler. It will run your bill up high. That's why I'm going to make one of those pseudo brooder thingys with a heating pad and bent wire.

 

[Double Kindness]

My bf made something for his snakes we don't have anymore I was thinking of using as a brooder box it's a fish tank with heated tiles on part of the bottom. It's on our back steps, I'm lobbying to have it put on our fireplace hearth so I can watch chick tv on the sofa and from all sides instead of hovering above a big Rubbermaid tote for weeks.

Chicks haven't shipped yet, so I'm asking to wait for them to ship monday since I have a business event this weekend anyways. I need to focus!

Still haven't found anyone to roadtrip to ft collins to pick up cornish x chicks pfftt. But I might be able to sneak in a shipment to arrive Monday or Tues when I go pick up my white bresse chicks. My bf won't be any the wiser right? If I had 2 boxes of live chicks and not just one?? White chicks are white chicks right??? Right! OMG I can't RESIST!

 

[KCMOLisa]

Do it! You're getting chicks anyway and you're processing birds in 8 weeks anyway. You have the brooder space. It's perfect timing!

 

[JessicaThistle]

Yes do it!

So I have been looking closely at the little abandoned and now mine chicks that I posted the pics of a few days ago. Someone mentioned the possibility of them being Black Copper Marans because of the feathering on the legs, but the closer I look, I think they also all have pea combs! I was super excited about dark chocolate eggs but is it possible I have myself some olive eggers along with the two I know are Easter Eggers?? OMG, OMG!

 

[CoHomestead]

Happy to report the babies are doing well One of the EE babies had a bit of pasty butt, but I got her cleaned up and checked the other 25 chicks. Does anyone have tips on preventing or treating? Going to check on her again before bed.

 

[JessicaThistle]

Yay! Glad to know the babies are well!

I haven't had a problem with pasty butt so not completely sure. Some say that the brooder temp may be too high, some say add ACV to the water. I always add ACV to the water for the first couple of weeks. I also don't worry about the brooder temp too much. I tend to pay more attention to how the chicks are acting.

 

[CoHomestead]

They've been super busy running all around the box, and the temp has been between 90 and 97 over the course of the day. I put acv in the water, but didn't measure it. She's still eating and drinking normally so fingers crossed for the am.

 

[JessicaThistle]

I'm sure she will be fine! Just keep an eye on her. Woohoo. Love baby chicks! Post close ups!

 

[Double Kindness]

What hatcheries accept paypal for cornish x? It doesn't seem that murray mcmurray accepts paypal?