First Run of Cornish Cross Meat Birds and Super Excited!

[JRNash]

I'm in a contrary state of mind so ignore my comments. You can raise birds successfully, I'd suggest a lengthy "run" type pen with partitions. Rotate the space they occupy to keep the mess manageable

 

[JRNash]

You have a nice looking clean backyard.
If you get serious with the birds,it will never look the same. Chickens cause a type of dementia, your numbers will increase magically... Strange containers of all sizes will start to collect....

 

[JRNash]

It's inevitable.

 

[holm25]

You have a nice looking clean backyard.
If you get serious with the birds,it will never look the same. Chickens cause a type of dementia, your numbers will increase magically... Strange containers of all sizes will start to collect....

Yep! This is all true!

 

[GreatBreeder]

I realize the grass will be gone. I do not intend to process my Birds. We don't really do many activities, just swimming. But we use the right side of the pool from run up diving. I will not be using cx, will be using slower growing not as large. Will only raise 2, but I am having accommodations for 4 because I will probably get 2 more next year. I am getting an 8"x8", BTW, there is a nice space behind the bushes and the bushes are a sort of wall so I might be able to keep them ranging there.

 

[JRNash]

Sounds doable

 

[duluthralphie]

JR your honesty is refreshing and humorous!

I saw that back yard with the pool and my first thought (after all the helpful suggestions given to us) was fence of 3 ft high chicken wire around the pool..

Chicken poop 2 inches deep on the decking, Water green n the pool because we know that much chlorine would be bad for the chooks..

Anyways, JR hit it unless you are willing to give up that neat clean suburban lifestyle and lawn. Chickens are not for you,

Sorry

 

[holm25]

I realize the grass will be gone. I do not intend to process my Birds. We don't really do many activities, just swimming. But we use the right side of the pool from run up diving. I will not be using cx, will be using slower growing not as large. Will only raise 2, but I am having accommodations for 4 because I will probably get 2 more next year. I am getting an 8"x8", BTW, there is a nice space behind the bushes and the bushes are a sort of wall so I might be able to keep them ranging there.

What are your intentions with the CX? Pets?

 

[duluthralphie]

I realize the grass will be gone. I do not intend to process my Birds. We don't really do many activities, just swimming. But we use the right side of the pool from run up diving. I will not be using cx, will be using slower growing not as large. Will only raise 2, but I am having accommodations for 4 because I will probably get 2 more next year. I am getting an 8"x8", BTW, there is a nice space behind the bushes and the bushes are a sort of wall so I might be able to keep them ranging there.

I think you need to look at 2 seramas (however it is spelled) and give up on any larger birds, it would not be fair to you or the birds otherwise.

 

[Birdinhand]

not sure why you'd choose CX for what sounds like a pet project or maybe you will be sending them off to a friend for harvest? In any case, I am, living in a suburban area, used to seeing some pretty interesting space economizing in small back yards. I had a friend build a run that had more than one layer to it and it stretched up along on a wall/berm that was only about 2 feet wide. chickens don't need a tone of width but they do enjoy a longish run and it can take turns, go behind bushes, up against a fence, basically anywhere you feel comfortable tacking up hardware cloth. if you are handy with fabrication, which often means clever with trim (when it comes to urban coops), you can make it look nice and keep the coons out. if you want pets for eggs, I'd go with a different breed, something docile and long lived. CX are harvested early for a reason, it's kind of more that you are putting them out of their misery. they often don't to all that well as adults.