Hello from CannonBall and I need HELP!!

[CannonBalls]

I am glad to be a new member of BYC. When I was growing up we had 24 Rhode Island Reds. They were my pets. Now I'm all grown up and have a small but growing flock of my own. I currently have 1 Red Rock and 2 White Rocks. My White Rocks are rather large. Hence the member name CannonBall. My son named them. They weigh at least 12 lbs. each. But I have some concerns. They eat good, poop good, drink good, but one back fires. She makes a "Baaak" sound then poop shoots out the back. She has been doing this for several weeks. Can't hear any wheezing, except when you pick her up. She also has not feathered out around her backside. Don't understand that either. We gave them oyster shell, Diatomaceous Earth mixed in with food, electrolytes in water, and plenty of food. What have we done wrong? Never had these things happen with my RIRs. PLEASE HELP!

 

[drumstick diva]

Can you post photos of your two "white rocks,?" I'm thinking you were sold Cornish x chicks instead. They have explosive growth, eat constantly and need to be processed as meat birds at a young age. Otherwise their legs give out and organs cannot keep up with their growth. This mix up has happened to several new members. It is especially heart breaking when the kids thought they were pets.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[QueenMisha]

Can you post photos of your two "white rocks,?" I'm thinking you were sold Cornish x chicks instead. They have explosive growth, eat constantly and need to be processed as meat birds at a young age. Otherwise their legs give out and organs cannot keep up with their growth. This mix up has happened to several new members. It is especially heart breaking when the kids thought they were pets.

x2. It's sometimes possible for the ignorant to confuse the two because Cornish Cross are also referred to as Cornish Rocks, since they are half Plymouth Rock, and they are both pure white birds.

Honestly, if they really do weigh 12 pounds, I wouldn't hold out much hope for them being actual Rocks. Even a heavier breeder quality Rock is rarely gonna weigh over 7-8 pounds, much less a scrawny hatchery layer - they typically max out at 5-6 pounds. Same thing with the lack of back/saddle feathering - Cornish Cross not only have been selectively bred for scarce feathering, but also grow too fast for what little they do have to keep up with the size of their body. And, if they are Cornish, that would explain the wheezing and "backfiring" - pretty standard behavior for a CX.

It's very important to remember that these birds cannot be kept as pets. Their survival past adolescence is rare, and even then it requires a strict feeding program, and usually the use of chicken tractors. Even so, they are NOT healthy birds, and not likely to make it past 1-2 years of age in any case. The best option, if they are Cornish Cross, is to find someone local who is willing to take them as meat birds. They are not natural animals, and are not designed for longevity - butchering is the best option available.

 

[N F C]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

I recently read an interesting article written by a member that raises Cornish Crosses you might like to see:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/raising-large-table-birds

This member does raise them to ultimately be meat birds but he follows a feeding and exercise program that allows him to keep them longer and healthier. If your birds truly are Cornish Crosses and you want to keep them around longer, you might get some tips from the article.

Good luck to you!

 

[CannonBalls]

Thanks to all of you. I got these birds at Tractor Supply. They get a fair amount of exercise because I let them forage in my yard. At first they did not walk well but have shed some weight and are walking better. They waddle like a duck. They are laying brown eggs. Not consistent in size but the large ones are double yokes. I will try limiting the feed and making sure they get some exercise. It is too late for me to get rid of them. They are my girls. That would leave me with only one nice size Red Rock. I have gotten 6 more chicks (3 Buff Orpingtons and 3 Australorps). I guess I better go ahead and get 3 more of some other variety now so they will be ready to go by spring. I will certainly read the article and I will try and get a picture of them and post it today. Thanks again for your help.

 

[N F C]

I look forward to seeing your photos. Nice you have some new chicks coming along!

 

[CannonBalls]

Here are the pictures. Hope this helps.

 

[QueenMisha]

Yes, those are Cornish Cross. I'm honestly amazed they survived to egg laying age. I just had to cull one of my 12 week CXs today because she stopped walking and eating.

If you really do intend on keeping them, they need to have a very strict diet. Housing them with other birds is not going to be easy. Don't expect a huge lifespan either; I haven't heard of them surviving past 2 years.