I started one thread on DP birds, but I’m also going to try my hand at Cornish this spring to see what I like.
I’ve got a round of questions for those with experience....
Hatchery
Anyone have experience with ideal? I’ll call and find out what strain of Cornish they’re working with, but has anyone had meat birds from them in the past? They would be the best for me, I could just add a few to my feed stores order and don’t have to deal with minimums.
Brooding Outdoors
I’m planning on brooding outdoors with the MHP method. I’d like to brood them stationary for a few weeks in a stall that opens to the pasture they’ll be in. After that, I’d like to move the tractor on grass. Would it better to have them on grass with the MHP from the beginning? I could run an extension cord easily. I would like to encourage as much movement and forage as possible and limit feeding. Which brings me to...
Limiting feeding and slowing growth
Where’s the best threads for information on raising Cornish the slowest? I’m not looking to go past anything rational, but I have time and am not as concerned with cost specifically. I’m more interested in having a hand in the humane raising of my family’s food, and I would like to try and give them the absolute best quality of life while under my care.
Space
What’s a good average space per bird in a chicken tractor for Cornish that would be raised until, say, 11-12 weeks maximum?
Would these birds have a desire to even leave the tractor for more space if I allowed it when we are around to protect from predators?
Do the roost at all or congregate in one spot at night? I’m concerned with predators in a chicken tractor setup (raccoons mostly). I’m wondering how to get them to a space at night that could be more fortified and can’t be dug into.
Forage
Should I let my pasture grow until they’re on it or maintain it at a certain length? I have lots of Bermuda grass and native grasses in this 1/4 acre paddock I’ll keep them on that should all be going within the next week or so, and I’ll probably wait a little to get the birds so it’s not chilly at night.
Thanks to anyone with advice or guidance!
I’ve got a round of questions for those with experience....
Hatchery
Anyone have experience with ideal? I’ll call and find out what strain of Cornish they’re working with, but has anyone had meat birds from them in the past? They would be the best for me, I could just add a few to my feed stores order and don’t have to deal with minimums.
Brooding Outdoors
I’m planning on brooding outdoors with the MHP method. I’d like to brood them stationary for a few weeks in a stall that opens to the pasture they’ll be in. After that, I’d like to move the tractor on grass. Would it better to have them on grass with the MHP from the beginning? I could run an extension cord easily. I would like to encourage as much movement and forage as possible and limit feeding. Which brings me to...
Limiting feeding and slowing growth
Where’s the best threads for information on raising Cornish the slowest? I’m not looking to go past anything rational, but I have time and am not as concerned with cost specifically. I’m more interested in having a hand in the humane raising of my family’s food, and I would like to try and give them the absolute best quality of life while under my care.
Space
What’s a good average space per bird in a chicken tractor for Cornish that would be raised until, say, 11-12 weeks maximum?
Would these birds have a desire to even leave the tractor for more space if I allowed it when we are around to protect from predators?
Do the roost at all or congregate in one spot at night? I’m concerned with predators in a chicken tractor setup (raccoons mostly). I’m wondering how to get them to a space at night that could be more fortified and can’t be dug into.
Forage
Should I let my pasture grow until they’re on it or maintain it at a certain length? I have lots of Bermuda grass and native grasses in this 1/4 acre paddock I’ll keep them on that should all be going within the next week or so, and I’ll probably wait a little to get the birds so it’s not chilly at night.
Thanks to anyone with advice or guidance!
