Help Cornish cross chick

[Quackers3211]

I think my Feed store accidentally gave me a Cornish cross but I’m attached to it now and can’t give it up. I’ve heard of them living for years if given the right diet. What do I need to feed my bird to help it survive? I do not want to kill her.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I think my Feed store accidentally gave me a Cornish cross but I’m attached to it now and can’t give it up. I’ve heard of them living for years if given the right diet. What do I need to feed my bird to help it survive? I do not want to kill her.

They can live upto 2yrs, on a restricted low protein diet, with lots of excercise.

 

[Mamatomany123]

They can lice on a restricted diet but the hard thing is that you wont be able to keep them with your others.

 

[Chickenmommaof10]

They can lice on a restricted diet but the hard thing is that you wont be able to keep them with your others.

What do you mean?
I have a Cornish cross that was given to me by accident at the feed store as well. Just curious

 

[Mamatomany123]

What do you mean?
I have a Cornish cross that was given to me by accident at the feed store as well. Just curious

You have to limit feed to meat birds because they eat constantly. That's what makes them good meat birds. they gain weight quick. If you keep them with non meat birds then they will just eat all of the feed until it's gone, then continue to eat when you refill the feeder. Keeping meat birds past their butchering age (around 8 weeks) is cruel. If you cant pr wont butcher them then I suggest giving them to someone who will. They live miserable lives and eventually get so bug that they can no longer stand. They have respiratory issues along with heart issues. It's unfair to keep it if you dont plan on butchering at the appropriate age.

 

[Chickenmommaof10]

You have to limit feed to meat birds because they eat constantly. That's what makes them good meat birds. they gain weight quick. If you keep them with non meat birds then they will just eat all of the feed until it's gone, then continue to eat when you refill the feeder. Keeping meat birds past their butchering age (around 8 weeks) is cruel. If you cant pr wont butcher them then I suggest giving them to someone who will. They live miserable lives and eventually get so bug that they can no longer stand. They have respiratory issues along with heart issues. It's unfair to keep it if you dont plan on butchering at the appropriate age.

I totally understand. It’s so hard for me, I raised this chicken and don’t have the heart to eat it. She does eat separately and roams around the yard all day. Seems happy.

 

[BroodyViolet]

My brother kept a meat bird with his free range layers and it was healthy until a predator got it. I have the same issue with my first little 6 bird flock - was sold a Cornish X but told it was a Buff Orpington. He told me to just not free feed her with the test of the birds, and let her forage all day, and feed her before bed for no more than 15 minutes so she goes to sleep with a full crop, but is motivated to find food all day and hunts for it. It will be an added layer of complexity to caring for them all having to treat one differently when it comes to food, to allow the layers free access to their feed but somehow keep the Cornish from getting to it, and making sure she's got plenty of access to pasture and bugs. What I think will be even more difficult for me is knowing if/when her quality of life warrants a compassionate culling, like any other family pet.