Help with my Pet Meat Chickens!!

[NateIsTrash]

I didn’t know that, I’ll ask next year then & maybe join FFA if I can show other chicken breeds because I can’t stand having to process them, & then I just get so attached.. thanks!

 

[ThracianHorse]

I didn’t know that, I’ll ask next year then & maybe join FFA if I can show other chicken breeds because I can’t stand having to process them, & then I just get so attached.. thanks!

Do so. I also suggest spending some time reading the meat birds section here. You'll find lots of people who don't or won't raise CX for meat birds, and a real treasure trove of information about heritage meat birds. I also suggest reading through the breed articles folks have written here - you might find a chicken breed that sounds like it's fun to try raising, and is a lot more suited to being made into pets. If this was your first time raising birds for FFA, I can understand why you'd be completely put off if you raised CX not understanding what their purpose was. I would also suggest maybe starting a new thread here in the meat bird section asking people their opinions on what their favorite heritage breed of meat bird is, and why. Heck, some may even be able to point you to a reputable breeder if they aren't breeders themselves!

 

[Parront]

I didn’t know that, I’ll ask next year then & maybe join FFA if I can show other chicken breeds because I can’t stand having to process them, & then I just get so attached.. thanks!

I do not know about your area, but here in AZ, if you are in a group like FFA or 4H you can keep roosters for your breeding projects, even if the city rules say no. Another reason to stay in your club. There are endangered breeds of layers, some bred by members here, that need new young people to take them up. Us old folks need to pass on our birds to a young future vet!

 

[TiaMaria413]

I raised meat chickens for FFA livestock show, unfortunately I didn’t win but I decided to keep one Rooster and one Hen as pets!

Hi Nate.
So do you have an update on how they are doing now? I know this was way back in May when you posted this, but I’ve heard of people having that breed live for up to 4 years. I currently have one and she’s 7 months or so old, very healthy and happy. No problems whatsoever other than she is lonely since she’s the only chicken.

 

[aliciaplus3]

I didn’t know that, I’ll ask next year then & maybe join FFA if I can show other chicken breeds because I can’t stand having to process them, & then I just get so attached.. thanks!

I would encourage you to continue the FFA program. I am not sure about your area but the chsper here will accept many different SAE and SAEP projects. My daughter is in our local chapter and it is very similar to what I remember from my high school years, there is so much to learn and not all of it is in competition at the local fair! As far as chicken raising a good heritage breed can take you far, you can learn much about breeding and genetics in a much shorter time with chickens from actually hatching and growing your own... even managing to get several generations hatched in one year where with larger animals it could take much longer to start to see the results of a breeding program.
I fully agree it's good to see young folks getting interested in poultry!

 

[cassie]

You should get 9 more hens or process them, they will eventually break their legs most likely and have a terrible life, I would process them

What do you mean "break their legs"? Sometimes the legs won't support the Cornish X but it is not because they are broken. I butchered one Cornish X that dressed out at 16 pounds. I have no idea what he weighed live. He got around just fine, thank you. I put Broiler Booster in the water and it seemed to help prevent leg and other problems with the Cornish X. For what it is worth it is some sort of vitamin supplement formulated for meat chickens and it is available at Murray McMurray.