Hello! And a question about CX

[psalucop]

Hello everyone!! This is my first post here, and I've been looking at forums for answers, but I can't find what I'm looking for so I figured I'd just ask People seem pretty friendly here.

My mother was given a CX as a chick around just before easter, and I've been taking care of it as a pet. I didn't know it was a CX until I noticed it was growing really quick. She's my only chicken and is really sweet, but I want to put her on a diet. I've been trying to limit the feed I give her, but when I give too little she gets really runny poop. I was just wondering what a healthy diet would be to allow her to be a happy healthy house pet I don't really have anything but starter feed because she's our only chicken. Please help! >.<

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas and

! Pleased you joined us! Not a lot of folks attempt to make pets from Cornish X as they are made for fast growth and then processing. I have read threads on BYC where people reduce the protein level to slow the growth, limit the time they have access to food, and exercise. Good luck with your project!

 

[psalucop]

Thanks for the warm welcome!!!

Yeah, that's what I'ave seen from the threads that I've read D: How much do you think I should limit the food by? Right now I generally feed her every 2 hours with a small dish with a hand full feed in it. I don't want to starve her to where she's sick >.<

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!!

Glad to have you aboard!!

 

[drumstick diva]

I think you could increase the time between feedings by maybe a half hour every day or so, till she is used to having less and put her feed bowl farther away so she has to do some walking to get to it. I know some people on here have tried to do these things and have them as pets. Even so their days are limited especially when they were growing so fast from the start.

 

[psalucop]

Okay! Thank you for your advice! I know in my heart that they're not long lived, and I feel a little sad because she's such a sweetie. I thought I wasn't feeding her that much, but I noticed he's starting to breath heavily so I was getting really worried. She can still walk and run fine, but I'd like to keep her healthy and happy for her short life. I don't think I'd have the heart to giver away to get butchered TT___TT She's really grown on me.

 

[M111557]

How much do 9-10 wk old chickens eat? I've noticed if I keep feeding them they will keep eating!
Should they eat at certain times of day etc a schedule ? I'm in IL , really doing a lot of learning .
Also,what causes them to turn on each other?