First Run of Cornish Cross Meat Birds and Super Excited!

[Betsy57]

Betsy: I sometimes feed them one less time when my hubby brings home the fruit because my chickens are so happy gorging themselves on apples that I can't stand to interrupt to give them that boring feed. Since their crop is generally absolutely crammed, I kinda assume they are fine.

Holm: I am going to dare to be different and choose #4. What a pretty bird.

Ralph: I didn't know that was a turkey. I thought it was a self-portrait. Lol!

Okay, I couldn't figure out what you meant so now I got it. You feed them the fruit your husband brings home. Yes, mine love fruit too and I have been giving mine apples I get from the orchards that are 'seconds'.

 

[CoHomestead]

I got my first batch on June 2nd. My second group on August 1st. I will not get a bunch until may now. BUT a good vacuum packer will allow me to eat chicken all year long.

I cannot have them during the winter months... Winter in Minnesota by definition is from Sept 1st until June 15th..

How many do you get at a time? I'm thinking I'd get 10-15 due to space limitations. My plan is to put the second group out with my layer chicks after we butcher the first group. My layer chicks would be around 8-9 weeks old by that point. My thinking is that the second group of cx chicks will be big enough to fit in with the layers, and not be bullied too much. Worst case I could split the coop to keep the groups separate.

 

[duluthralphie]

I get 25 at a time. The first batch came with 85 colored egg layers, mainly DPs.

I am really hoping to raise my own next year.

I have about 65 birds ready for processing in next 2 weeks. BUT I will sell a lot of them.

 

[CoHomestead]

Been a big day for the girls. I added a few bricks and a branch for them to have a bit of variety and practice roosting on. Also switched over to all pine shavings and a food tray which has meant a lot more messy food. They all seem to be enjoying the shavings and additions

 

[Betsy57]

Been a big day for the girls. I added a few bricks and a branch for them to have a bit of variety and practice roosting on. Also switched over to all pine shavings and a food tray which has meant a lot more messy food. They all seem to be enjoying the shavings and additions

They love to roost at a very young age. Like your set up. Wish I could find a nice big, long box like you have! Looks like you're doing a great job with them.

 

[Betsy57]

I get 25 at a time. The first batch came with 85 colored egg layers, mainly DPs.

I am really hoping to raise my own next year.

I have about 65 birds ready for processing in next 2 weeks. BUT I will sell a lot of them.

Hope you have help to process those! This is my first time with meat birds so I just got 15. I've only butchered 2 birds in the past. A neighbor will come and help me with these. I think I can do it on my own but it would be nice to have someone here watching me and helping me with technique. A friend at work said I wouldn't make much money on 15. She thought I was raising them to sell for money. I told her, "I'm not raising them to fill YOUR freezer, I'm raising them to fill MINE!" Couldn't really make much money on meat birds I wouldn't think with such a small operation. I am feeding them organic non-gmo feed ($1 a pound) plus the time so I'd have to charge $25 a bird probably to just break even. NOT.

 

[duluthralphie]

Hope you have help to process those! This is my first time with meat birds so I just got 15. I've only butchered 2 birds in the past. A neighbor will come and help me with these. I think I can do it on my own but it would be nice to have someone here watching me and helping me with technique. A friend at work said I wouldn't make much money on 15. She thought I was raising them to sell for money. I told her, "I'm not raising them to fill YOUR freezer, I'm raising them to fill MINE!" Couldn't really make much money on meat birds I wouldn't think with such a small operation. I am feeding them organic non-gmo feed ($1 a pound) plus the time so I'd have to charge $25 a bird probably to just break even. NOT.

I am selling mine at 3 dollars a pound. That is for whole birds. Some of my birds will be 7-8 pounds, those will be $25.

I have a very non-business attitude about selling them. If someone wants the fine, if not fine, we will eat them and our kids and grandkids love them.

We are selling breasts for $4 pound. We do not sell thighs and legs separate, as we eat all them!


If someone would rather have a fast grown caged chicken over my free range medication free chickens, so be it.

 

[Double Kindness]

I'm sucking up very hard to get my bf quasi relenting to going to get 10-15 cx in ft collins today and 3 muscovy ducks if we can find them *happy dance*

So.. now gotta get him outta bed!!

 

[duluthralphie]

My ugly socks and shorts with a ton of pretty birds and one little girl talking:

 

[LindaB220]

My ugly socks and shorts with a ton of pretty birds and one little girl talking:

Cute, Ralph, love the set up. I wish that you had walked around and showed us the rest of the coop. Can you do that? Looking good. Socks and all

I don't talk about my muumuu's and garden shoes. The ants keep getting my feet so I'm going to buy the ankle boots. That'll be cool with my get up.