Help!!! I love my Cornish x (as a pet). How to keep them healthy?

[Borg bird]

Here are the pics.
Also I live in Houston Texas. The weather today is around 45 degrees Fahrenheit. A bit windy.
It will get colder next week.i don't think they will appreciate being out right now. Perhaps when it warms up.

 

[rjohns39]

Do they still have heat in the brooder? If so what temp? When you do take them outside, you'll need a way to contain them (a small fence), but they'll also need supervision as they have no instinctive predator defenses.

Mine go in an 8x8x2 shelter with hot wires around the base and metal over the back half (top and sides), they are completely covered in 1" chicken wire (if I had it to do over it would be 1/2" hardware cloth). Fresh grass, sunshine and exercise are keys to longer life spans.

We'll need to look at them again in about 3 weeks to see if its time to drop to a 16% feed or not. @duluthralphie would you be so kind as to add your thoughts...

 

[duluthralphie]

Do they still have heat in the brooder? If so what temp? When you do take them outside, you'll need a way to contain them (a small fence), but they'll also need supervision as they have no instinctive predator defenses.

Mine go in an 8x8x2 shelter with hot wires around the base and metal over the back half (top and sides), they are completely covered in 1" chicken wire (if I had it to do over it would be 1/2" hardware cloth). Fresh grass, sunshine and exercise are keys to longer life spans.

We'll need to look at them again in about 3 weeks to see if its time to drop to a 16% feed or not. @duluthralphie would you be so kind as to add your thoughts...

My thoughts depend on the goals for the birds.
If they are to be breeders. Like my toads you have to find the balance between enough protein to develop the internal organs and bones to allow for reproduction and a longer life span, without them doubling over from their own weight.

If I was going for a show bird, (market pen) I would feed 4-5 times the number I want to show. The losers become DinDin....

I would limit feed somewhat but not to the point I do on my breeders. I would adjust my carb/protein ratio depending on the weight of the birds and where they are headed towards that 8 pound market bird. If they look heavy I would give a tad more protein. If they looked undersized and were not "plump" I would had a little carbs.

Not much help am I? What I like for an eating bird is not what the judges like. I want a huge bird with large amounts of dark meat and fat. Judges want large breast and not too much fat.

 

[Borg bird]

Do they still have heat in the brooder? If so what temp? When you do take them outside, you'll need a way to contain them (a small fence), but they'll also need supervision as they have no instinctive predator defenses.

Mine go in an 8x8x2 shelter with hot wires around the base and metal over the back half (top and sides), they are completely covered in 1" chicken wire (if I had it to do over it would be 1/2" hardware cloth). Fresh grass, sunshine and exercise are keys to longer life spans.

We'll need to look at them again in about 3 weeks to see if its time to drop to a 16% feed or not. @duluthralphie would you be so kind as to add your thoughts...

The brooder is at 75 degrees. The show chicks will head to the school's indoor pen, but our 3 will get a 6x6 coop and an expandable pvc chicken run. Our yard is gated and I have no issue letting them out of the run when my dog and myself are near to watch them. The only issue we have here are rats and Hawks...

 

[rjohns39]

They're going to need a transition from their current temps to your outside temps. Short or limited exposure to the cooler temps (during the warmest part of the day) will help generate feather growth, but you don't want them getting too cold. Running around is fine, huddling together is too cold.

 

[Borg bird]

Ok. Sounds good. Can I keep you updated 6 weeks in with their growth?

 

[rjohns39]

Ok. Sounds good. Can I keep you updated 6 weeks in with their growth?

Absolutely. Just post your updates here. I'd definitely like a look at them when they are six weeks, but if you want to post weekly or more often, that's fine too.

 

[Birdinhand]

I went with a mother heating pad with my last grow out, allowing my CX to sleep normally at night, and naturally take a break from eating. it made a big difference, they otherwise had 24/7 access to feed and no leg or cardio problems. they were harvested at 8-9 weeks, so this was not a long term thing but if I were to try keeping them longer I would have started to lower the protein. I also think it depends on what strain of CX you have, some are more prone to having issues than others, some more active. giving them plenty of room to run around, putting the water and feed at opposite ends of the run etc, can also help keep them active and healthy.

 

[EggSTOREYdinary]

“Table for one” ...

Tuning in a little late, but I wanted to introduce Bianca, my Cornish X shes a big girl but she stays movin’ ! She never misses an opptunity to head out and forge with her sisters
(Which I think keeps her active, I don’t resctrict her food) She barley fits in the the nest box so we built her own, she didn’t care for it,
and one day I found a secret nest she had made for herself. She walks the distance everyday to her little spot <3 (behind the shed) Everyone told me that she would live a very short life with lots of complications... she DOES waddle around. BUT SHES HAPPY She’s laying (3-4 eggs a week, she keeps up with her sisters! 2 Plymouth rocks and Isa Brown! when I was told she’d lay 1 a week if I was lucky) you never know till you try and Bianca is proof it can be done! Good luck, from
One Cornish lover to another

 

[Borg bird]

That's great!!! I just want too keep my girls happy and healthy as long as I can. Bianca looks great! Thanks for sharing.