First Run of Cornish Cross Meat Birds and Super Excited!

[duluthralphie]

You are so right, there are so many variables in raising each batch that we do not control, weather, shape of the chicks we buy etc...
We just have to do our best.

I am actually a little nervous to get CX's this year as my hatchery, I use is in Iowa and they have had flu in the chickens in Iowa.

 

[mountain mom]

Oh man! I missed so much!

I hope Bert continues to recover!!! It is so hard when they break down the walls to your heart...

CX can be so different! I suppose it is all the different hatcheries using different stock and whatnot. I get mine from Mount Healthy Hatchery. Well, my feed store gets them from there.
So far, so good.
Pearl, although giant, seems in great health. 8 months old, started laying in the middle of winter, lays around 3-5 eggs a week, forages like everyone else, tries to fly sometimes, etc. She has some seriously thick legs though. Good thing!

Morrigan- Sounds like you have the same issues Ralph had with his first batch. Hope they look healthy inside!

Holm- Your babies are so adorable! Good luck, I have no idea what to do with an unabsorbed yolk sac.

Sparrow continues to be a fierce broody. I think I will give her turkeys when they hatch. Should hatch in just over a week. I guarantee she will still be broody if I leave her.

The CX meaties are outside now, loving it. They were cracking me up yesterday. Flapping and exploring! I will upload a video later today if I have time!

 

[holm25]

MM could u give the eggs to Sparrow instead of the babies??

 

[holm25]

Momma and babies sure were glad to get out!!

 

[mountain mom]

Holm they are adorable!!!

I am not sure if I should continue to incubate. If I give them to Sparrow, I would be worried she would abandon the nest. Clyde ruined it for me. Also, not sure if going from the bator to a hen is good or not. I really just don't know what to do.

Anyone have experience with this? Turkeytruff?! Aren't you an addicted hatcher?

 

[Morrigan]

Thanks for the video Holm, they are so cute! I've got broody hen envy!

We butchered the two CX today. At 6 weeks and 1 day, the 2 of them came in at 2 1/2 and 3 lbs. All their insides looked perfect. We hunched over their guts and poked at them like fortune tellers, lol.

But, another rooster is moving really slow tonight, so he's probably next to freezer camp. Like the others, he's bright eyed, and very interested in eating and drinking as long as it's placed in front of him. It's simply too hard for him to move to get it.

I'm beginning to think that this particular CX stock just isn't right for my needs. The owner was telling me that these "are the exact same chickens I raise for Foster Farms." I'm thinking now, that's not such a good thing. My husband and I were both commented that they seem more top-heavy than the one's we had last time, and their legs seem thinner. I then compared a leg from this year, to one I still had in the freezer (for making chicken stock) from last year, and it IS a lot smaller and thinner.

I just don't think the stock is hale and strong-legged enough for my warmish, rocky farm. It's such a different experience for me than last fall. I feel for these poor birds. I'm hoping some, at least, can make it to the 10 week date I had planned.

 

[duluthralphie]

Morrigan, I got my CX's from Hoover Hatchery in Rudd, Iowa. I am very happy with the ones they gave me. If you are interested. They mailed mine on a Wednesday from Rudd and they even included 3-4 packing peanuts. I am going to buy from them again, even if there is avian flu in Iowa, I bet they wil be tested before being sent out.. when you process a 6 week bird versus a 10 week bird there is a huge difference, even though store birds are 3-4 lbs.


Speaking of CX's from Hoover hatchery, Bert is looking better, his comb is bright red again. He fought us for the first time since we started wrapping his foot. The swelling in the pad of the foot has come way down. There is still a large lump on the outside toe. His spunkiness is a good sign. even the DW says she notices his poop is harder and better formed. There is no wheezing...

He kept wanting to flap his wings and fly away life he swore at us the entire time we had him locked in my arms. He is so much more animated. I am feeling hopeful again. He will be going back on a regular diet tomorrow. He has been eating bird seed, peanuts and nigel thistle seed because I wanted to limit protein while he was sick. I hope it is warm enough to move him outside tomorrow.

 

[mountain mom]

YAY FOR BERT!! Keep getting better!

I am happy with my Mount Healthy stock. I think Pearl is doing marvelously.

Ralph, I wouldn't count on them making sure your birds don't have the flu. Even if exposure is the only issue and they do test, it still may not come up positive later. Personally, I would choose somewhere else. And how cheap they were, was that from the place in Iowa?! I would be worried.
Mine were nearing 3 dollars a chicken. I know it is a lot. I also know they are fantastic birds and I cannot order the quantity I need direct from the hatchery for the same price. You may want to rethink your hatchery, ESPECIALLY if there is bird flu.
I assume I am just telling you something you already have thought of, but I felt it should be said. Just because I have the "crazy chicken lady" title from the locals. And because I enjoyed a couple of cocktails.

What should I do with my turkey eggs??? I have another broody. One meaner than the devil himself. She is serious. BUT, is it worth taking the eggs out of incubation with around 10 days left? I am really new to the incubation business. And chickens, really. I have only had them just over a year. Maybe I am just too much of a rookie for my insane researching and googling of things to be valid. I dunno what to do. Sigh.

Truth be told, I value JJ and Ethel eggs more than diamond encrusted eggs, or any other kind, for that matter. I am OBSESSED with Ralph's turkeys. Anyhow, I just don't want to decrease their odds, have to wait another year, etc.
I am leaving tomorrow night until Monday night, late, for a funeral. Do I move the eggs or not?!
Part of me feels a chicken can do a better job than me, but the other part says, "no, they are being raised in a controlled enviro and that is better". Arg.

 

[duluthralphie]

It all comes down to how much you trust your broody, I would leave them in the incubator now, you are almost done. If you move them n she takes a few hours to fully accept them and they get cold, you will like poop.....

BUT the choice is yours. I have no idea what hatchery Runnings uses. It is amazing, I did not think the bird flu thing would bother me, BUT when I was looking at chicks at Runnings, that is what went through my mind, Am I going to bring the flu home to my birds....

 

[JessicaThistle]

Ralph: DON'T RISK IT! I have also earned "crazy chicken lady" status and would not bring home stock that may actually be exposed to the bird flu! I am not bringing to my home the hens that I own from the farm for just in cases purposes! Even though tested, blah, blah. I agree with MM! Hatcheries want to sell those chicks. You don't really know. I've had one or two as well, so you can take what I say as it is, but you know the "real" risk. Okay, If you buy them, keep them away from the rest of your flock (especially Bert) for at least a month! By the way, I'm glad to hear he is improving!

Morrigan: I don't know where you got those CX this time but I think that I would definitely try another place for the next round. Nothing is more frustrating than busting your rear taking care of these chickens to find them randomly going down hill for no obvious reason. Story of my life daily at the chicken farm.

Holm: That video of your broody with your chicks is so sweet! I love it!

I wish that I could help with the questions about incubating and hatching but that is an area that I have not gone to yet. I really don't want to deal with way more roosters!