First Run of Cornish Cross Meat Birds and Super Excited!

[JRNash]

Yea Ralph,The Cx are the most layed back birds there are

 

[duluthralphie]

I am hoping to get 15 pound carcasses by 24 weeks. I think I am there.

I have not been able to process a Toad yet, so it is all guess work. It appears I have a couple roosters in this batch so I will know for sure. To me feed conversion is not important so I do not watch it.

By 24 weeks they should be full grown with some fat and still not be tough. Also that will fit into my short summer so I can free range them and increase muscle while decreasing feed costs.

 

[Dave C]

Sounds like we're all after similar goals.
My Sasso slow grows should achieve about 5Ib at 12 weeks, then not much more after that.
But the medium grow Farm Rangers I have on order, last year they were 7.5lb at 12 weeks and 11lb at 15 weeks, not sure what they would make at 24 weeks but will be interesting to find out.
I would have to seriously restrict feed with the males though so I may only keep pullets back from them.
But will be interesting to see a cross between the two.

 

[JRNash]

Dave your farm rangers sound like what I'm after!
Just rounded up al the Cx and put them in a separate pen. Had to put two down,they had open wounds to the body cavity. A couple more will be evaluated tomorrow. Any less than healthy birds will be history. Really gets my goat. I didn't want to process ANY of these. Out of 30 there are approximately 7 that will be held back for an attempt at breeding.

 

[JRNash]

Dave,We have a red "Freedom Ranger"
Here that is advertised to get the weight gains that you have. I may order 25 in a couple of weeks to see if they are any comparison to your birds

 

[JRNash]

Well,tomorrow is officially freezer camp day. It should prove to be a very interesting day. My baby brother(43yrs) has volunteered to come help.
He has a weak stomach and has NEVER even cut up a store bought chicken....he he he
I'm really looking forward to it.

 

[Dave C]

Haha

 

[Dave C]

Dave,We have a red "Freedom Ranger"
Here that is advertised to get the weight gains that you have. I may order 25 in a couple of weeks to see if they are any comparison to your birds

Yeah will be interesting to how they compare.

Yes our Farm Rangers are an ideal bird for me as well but getting the males to breeding age with any kind of decent movement and fitness for lovin is a challenge.
I might try to keep some back & give it a go, but I'm mainly thinking using a DC or slow grow bird over them.
Interesting times ahead

 

[JRNash]

Dave that is pretty much the way I've been thinking. The hens of all the breeds lay fairly well. The roosters on the other hand are problematic with their huge size. Ive got some young Dc x Scx that I'm watching very closely. Its still way too soon to tell if they will have the confirmation I'm looking for.

 

[cyborg]

Well,tomorrow is officially freezer camp day. It should prove to be a very interesting day. My baby brother(43yrs) has volunteered to come help.
He has a weak stomach and has NEVER even cut up a store bought chicken....he he he
I'm really looking forward to it.

Have him scrape out the lungs.