Hey Wisconsin, cor x outside when???

[raimnel]

How early can I order cornish X here in Wisconsin? I have them on order for mid May, but can I get them sooner? What temps outside are ok for these guys? I was going to put them in a tractor when their 2 weeks ish. It will be late May. can I go for order end of April outside beginning of May?

 

[anthonyjames]

I am not sure where you are in Wisconsin but I am in Port Washington between Milwaukee and Sheboygan right on lake Michigan. I have 80 arriving between March 29 - April 3. They will be outside from day one in a moveable tractor that will be wrapped in plastic and have heat lamps. Once I feel it is good enough plastic comes off and lights go out. Should be 2 - 3 weeks for them to fully feather.

If you plan on raising them inside you can start now. But I would recommend against it with the stink and poo that they create.

Hope that helps.

 

[Ang]

Outside as soon as possible! They stink and you cannot change their bedding fast enough. We started brooding them outside last year. What a relief! Just be sure to use heat lamps and block the wind somehow. We converted a room in our barn to a brooder. Is warm, draft free and secure. And the smell and dust stays outside!

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

Quote:
I gave you an answer in the cheesehead thread

 

[raimnel]

Thank you!
I'm in the appleton area. you think maybe outside mid May at 2 weeks old in a pvc tractor with a tarp on 1 end and 1 tarp that goes on the other end at night with a light??? hum? I'm trying to get 2 batches in this summer. most of my 1st batch is already sold and they aint even hatched yet!!!

 

[jaku]

Technically, they can handle freezing temps according to Joel Saladin at 3 weeks, but I (in Michigan,) keep them under heat until it's actually WARM at night. Although hot temps in the day can kill them, I feel they do better when not stressed by cold at night, so I'll put them out in the tractor, with a light on only at night. Sometimes, if I'm sick of them being in the barn, I'll cover my tractor with up to three layers of tarps/blankets and put a few heat lamps in with them at night. Using that method, I put my fall birds out at two weeks when it was cold during the days and well below freezing at night.