First time chicken mom in need of some advice

Can I still eat the "older" Cornish x Rock?

  • No, you've ruined everything, ya dope.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    10
  • Poll closed .

megpieinyoureye

In the Brooder
Joined
Jul 2, 2019
Messages
1
Reaction score
11
Points
24
Hello folks!
My name is Meagan, and I am a first time chicken mom.
Overly excited, and a little over zealous, I acquired a mixed flock of eight birds before doing ANY actual research. My grandparents raised chickens for years, and my grandfather helped me put together a really nice coop, with a small yard underneath. Going by their experience and having my grandmother with me whilst I picked my flock, I felt very confident. Until about week 8 when it really hit me how bad I messed up. Let me explain. I acquired 2 black australorps, 2 small bantoms, 1 buff orpington, 1 amberlink and... 2 cornish x rock...
I knew the cornish x rock were meat birds
I just didn't understand the difference in diet and care they would need versus the rest of the flock, and I fear I have really gotten myself into a pickle.
We are at week 13, and I am preparing to harvest and process the 2 cornish rock, but wonder if I will even be able to eat them now. I have one hen and one rooster. The rooster has been a little lame from the start, but he is probably a hefty 13lbs, the hen, (whom is actually the sweetest of the flock, and I honestly will be a little sad to see her go) isn't ,too far behind him.
Developmentally, they put on weight quickly, but didn't seem too out of place with the ragtag group.
However, I have been feeding them the same as the rest of the flock, no extra protein, no nothing.. just 12hr access to Purina crumble daily, and fresh water of course.
I know they need to go, they are SO big, and if I don't do it, they will die naturally, I'm sure.
But have I wasted what efforts I did make?
Can I still eat them?
Please help!!
 
Sure you can. They may not be as tender as if they'd been processed younger, or as big as if they'd been fed the meat bird style, but yes, they can still provide good meals. I agree with the slow and low - all my experience so far is from reading about it, but I hear that works great for older birds - like hens past laying. And if those are good, then sure, this will be. You gave them a well cared for life, they give you a good meal.
 
Hello Meagan and welcome to BYC. I hope that you enjoy your time here.

This is a useful link to take a look at - “How to...” guides. You may wish to consider including your location (using the guide in the link above). You can use this link to contact members in your area - U.S. States

Best wishes

Pork Pie
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom