First Run of Cornish Cross Meat Birds and Super Excited!

[duluthralphie]

Haha you haven't met any of the people in my family!!!

You mean they are feeding them cause they hate you????? rofl

 

[Betsy57]

I can understand this, BUT do not blame the CX's. Blame the hatcheries, Tyson and Golden Plump!

You have fallen into the trap. I did with my first batch. Most of them were gross. Most of them sat at the feeder and pooped while they ate. I saw hope in a few of them that played and ran. Then I read a bunch of threads on here about raising them free Range or like regular chicks. Do not blame yourself it is easy to fall into the trap. I even see some here that advocate the "common wisdom'.


CX's are great bird with super personalities, if you give them the right environment. I feed mine 18% protein and not very much. I am purposely slowing their growth down. Mine are 4 weeks old today and no where near full size. They live in a "tractor brooder" but have access to the outdoors and free range. I have 23 left after a predator incident, I feed them 3 cottage cheese containers of feed a day. 1 in the morning and 2 in the evening. I dump it on the ground in a line or little piles. I make them work for their food.

The rest of the day they are on their own. They chase bugs, eat seeds and whatever they find. They have "little chicken fights" that are so cute we just laugh. They mix with my larger chickens. They are protected by my main Roo. Life is good for them. I know the oxymoron of this but I love them and am fully aware I will butcher most of them. I plan to keep 2-3 for eggs and chicks next year.

I am excited to see what the babies will look like, does the CX pass through?

My chicks live near a scrap iron pile, they climb it and scratch around it, they have lots to keep them busy. Those that want to travel the 75 feet to the sand piles do, where they climb the hill and seem to be playing king of the hill. They lounge about in sand baths.

When I go towards them they come running at me like my other chickens, they are super.

So as I said do not blame the CX's, blame the people telling you they need to be fed 24-28% protein 12 hours a day!

So does feeding them higher protein cause them to grow faster?

 

[duluthralphie]

So does feeding them higher protein cause them to grow faster?

Yep. I think so.

 

[PlaidBattleAxe]

Off topic, but I just wanted to say how much I really am growing to like this breed. Today was the turning point. I didn't think I did, after my initial loss rate and sickliness-----I was convinced I would go heritage breed with barred rock chicks and raise them slower for meat...less health problems? Well, I got them outside, and started fermented feed and they literally sprang to life. Play fighting, trying to fly, being silly and so energetic. Full of life. That and they went from running from me when I would go to feed/water them to bum-rushing me like I was a long-lost relative (yeah, I know its because of the food, but I still think it's awesome). Love them. I know the end is near, but I am so happy to see them finally enjoying life and being chickens. It is awesome and I wouldn't trade it. I think I'll still get barred rocks this spring, more so for eggs, but another run of cornish cross for sure. One thing I'll change----free range. I want to add in an extra large enclosure that I'll "free-range" with due to our high rate of predator to bird ratio... Right now they're in a 15x8 pen.

 

[duluthralphie]

Off topic, but I just wanted to say how much I really am growing to like this breed. Today was the turning point. I didn't think I did, after my initial loss rate and sickliness-----I was convinced I would go heritage breed with barred rock chicks and raise them slower for meat...less health problems? Well, I got them outside, and started fermented feed and they literally sprang to life. Play fighting, trying to fly, being silly and so energetic. Full of life.

They are amazing birds, Yesterday I had some running in a heavy woods about 100 yards from their brooder. They were exploring everything!


They run and play, jump and fight., or play fight. They even fly. For young birds they have great personalities. Mine also run to me, they are just little chickens. I cannot wait for spring so I can order another batch. They are so cute when they are taking their sand bath, the look like a little pig.


I am glad you have found the joy of these birds. I like you was not sure I would like them the first time I bought them. I raised them by the "book", lots of high protein feed, confinement, lots of water. The were terrible birds. I lost a quite a few. Heart attacks, ascites, leg problems. I keep them clean no matter how en I changed wood chips. They would sit or lie down to eat and drink. They would lie in their own poop while eating. It was disgusting.

When I processed them I actually skinned them instead of plucking them, and I own a plucker. I just could not get past the manure they laid in.

The birds I have now are happier, cleaner, and more fun to have around. CX's are a natural for FR!!!

Glad you converted! Welcome to the FR flock....

 

[Brookshire11]

Thanks! Her eye is finally un-swollen and the black circle has faded.

I want to try processing outside this year too! My mom has an old dual burner propane canning stove that I might borrow, or DH has suggested using our outdoor kitchen (READ: firepit with industrial sized grill over top

).

I'm apprehensive about adding any more to my flock at this point in the season, like you said, due to the impending winter, so our current batch of CX is it for us.. but spring is soooo full of my dreams already (new layer-bird hoop coop/run, and lots more birds!). It'll give me more time to sweet talk DH into the bargain that if he helps me BUILD the bird house, I'll do all the work with the birds. He really dislikes having to do extensive bird chores (anything to do with my CX chicks.... but he's better about taking care of our already grown birds. Consequently he was the same with our kids---not a baby fan but likes having them older).

Glad she's feeling better!
I didn't think about the fire pit..what a great idea!
We have one I could totally use...
I way eyeing a huge pot at the store the other day. Lol.
I think it was for tamales but it looked like the perfect size. I ALMOST got it then, but I resisted. I'll definitely go back for it though.
Perfect scalding pot.

I can understand this, BUT do not blame the CX's. Blame the hatcheries, Tyson and Golden Plump!

You have fallen into the trap. I did with my first batch. Most of them were gross. Most of them sat at the feeder and pooped while they ate. I saw hope in a few of them that played and ran. Then I read a bunch of threads on here about raising them free Range or like regular chicks. Do not blame yourself it is easy to fall into the trap. I even see some here that advocate the "common wisdom'.


CX's are great bird with super personalities, if you give them the right environment. I feed mine 18% protein and not very much. I am purposely slowing their growth down. Mine are 4 weeks old today and no where near full size. They live in a "tractor brooder" but have access to the outdoors and free range. I have 23 left after a predator incident, I feed them 3 cottage cheese containers of feed a day. 1 in the morning and 2 in the evening. I dump it on the ground in a line or little piles. I make them work for their food.

The rest of the day they are on their own. They chase bugs, eat seeds and whatever they find. They have "little chicken fights" that are so cute we just laugh. They mix with my larger chickens. They are protected by my main Roo. Life is good for them. I know the oxymoron of this but I love them and am fully aware I will butcher most of them. I plan to keep 2-3 for eggs and chicks next year.

I am excited to see what the babies will look like, does the CX pass through?

My chicks live near a scrap iron pile, they climb it and scratch around it, they have lots to keep them busy. Those that want to travel the 75 feet to the sand piles do, where they climb the hill and seem to be playing king of the hill. They lounge about in sand baths.

When I go towards them they come running at me like my other chickens, they are super.

So as I said do not blame the CX's, blame the people telling you they need to be fed 24-28% protein 12 hours a day!

You're keeping some CXs for eggs and chicks?
I never thought about them reproducing. I always read they didn't live very long naturally.
Is it because they free range? I know it improves their health, but does it buy them enough time to lay?

 

[duluthralphie]

I plan to keep some and see if I can get them to reproduce...

I have read here about others getting eggs from them. The ones I am raising now are so NOT typical CX's. I gave them feed this morning and not one of them came to it. I have never seen chickens more disinterested in food than these 23 are!

 

[JessicaThistle]

Off topic, but I just wanted to say how much I really am growing to like this breed. Today was the turning point. I didn't think I did, after my initial loss rate and sickliness-----I was convinced I would go heritage breed with barred rock chicks and raise them slower for meat...less health problems? Well, I got them outside, and started fermented feed and they literally sprang to life. Play fighting, trying to fly, being silly and so energetic. Full of life. That and they went from running from me when I would go to feed/water them to bum-rushing me like I was a long-lost relative (yeah, I know its because of the food, but I still think it's awesome). Love them. I know the end is near, but I am so happy to see them finally enjoying life and being chickens. It is awesome and I wouldn't trade it. I think I'll still get barred rocks this spring, more so for eggs, but another run of cornish cross for sure. One thing I'll change----free range. I want to add in an extra large enclosure that I'll "free-range" with due to our high rate of predator to bird ratio... Right now they're in a 15x8 pen.

I've been super busy gearing up for my busiest time of year. How are things going Plaid? Giving them space does allow them to act like chickens. Mine love it too.

Barred Rocks are awesome chickens! I have two BR hens. One was my first to lay and the other was my last one to lay. They have super personalities, in my opinion, and are highest on the pecking order. My late bloomer is surprisingly the biggest hen I have and the crabbiest. I had two little roos that she had absolutely no interest in their shenanigans and she whooped their rears regularly. I rehomed the boys just today. She is also protective of the other hens. I almost thought she was a roo herself until she laid an egg. I don't know about raising them for meat as these girls will not ever wind up in the crockpot. They are good layers and a beautiful addition to the yard. I see you have BOs. My BRs are way more sassy than the BOs but in a good way.

My CX are happily running around like crazy every day. I finally figured out the huge birds that have been circling our area for the past several months are turkey vultures and as long as my birds are alive, I don't have to worry so much about them. I thought they were hawks. Not the brightest moment for me of course. Since my revelation I have been letting my chicks out for most of the day. They are spreading far and wide hunting around for goodies. My hubby brought home dropped apples from a customer that they are devouring and loving it. Unfortunately our weather had been cooling off and around 80s which the chicks loves, but today it spiked back up to high 90s. None of us were happy until the big tree gave us some shade and the sun started going down. This batch seems spunkier and like they are travelling further away from the tractor. Four of them even chased me into the garage yesterday which is the farthest any of them have gone. I think I am feeling more comfortable and giving them more freedom, so they are also more comfortable. I can't believe they are almost 5 weeks old!

 

[LindaB220]

I've been super busy gearing up for my busiest time of year. How are things going Plaid? Giving them space does allow them to act like chickens. Mine love it too.

Barred Rocks are awesome chickens! I have two BR hens. One was my first to lay and the other was my last one to lay. They have super personalities, in my opinion, and are highest on the pecking order. My late bloomer is surprisingly the biggest hen I have and the crabbiest. I had two little roos that she had absolutely no interest in their shenanigans and she whooped their rears regularly. I rehomed the boys just today. She is also protective of the other hens. I almost thought she was a roo herself until she laid an egg. I don't know about raising them for meat as these girls will not ever wind up in the crockpot. They are good layers and a beautiful addition to the yard. I see you have BOs. My BRs are way more sassy than the BOs but in a good way.

My CX are happily running around like crazy every day. I finally figured out the huge birds that have been circling our area for the past several months are turkey vultures and as long as my birds are alive, I don't have to worry so much about them. I thought they were hawks. Not the brightest moment for me of course. Since my revelation I have been letting my chicks out for most of the day. They are spreading far and wide hunting around for goodies. My hubby brought home dropped apples from a customer that they are devouring and loving it. Unfortunately our weather had been cooling off and around 80s which the chicks loves, but today it spiked back up to high 90s. None of us were happy until the big tree gave us some shade and the sun started going down. This batch seems spunkier and like they are travelling further away from the tractor. Four of them even chased me into the garage yesterday which is the farthest any of them have gone. I think I am feeling more comfortable and giving them more freedom, so they are also more comfortable. I can't believe they are almost 5 weeks old!

Great! And the vultures keep the hawks away. Win-win.

 

[JessicaThistle]

Great! And the vultures keep the hawks away. Win-win.

They do?? OMG, that's awesome!! I believe the crows that nest in all of the trees around us do too. Aside from the occasional Cooper Hawk sighting and what I suspected to be an Eagle recently, we stay pretty quiet around here.