Homesteaders

[OrganicFarmWife]

I've had a much different experience with CX, with them ranging better than any breed I've ever had simply because they are very hungry. Here's a vid of the last large batch of CX...ranging and flying. This batch even roosted as high as 3 ft off the ground. They were fed once a day, fermented layer and whole grains, after they had ranged all day long. Pardon the very poor video skills...my very first such things and done on a still camera. My first batch were raised by a broody hen and lived with the layer flock. They too ranged very well, all finished at good weights after only being fed once per day after foraging all day. Didn't lose any of either batch due to health issues or predators, though they ranged far and wide.

But she is not going to let them range all day (unless I misunderstood, then pardon) She is only going to let them out to range during specific times. So unless they are starving they are unlikely to range much. I admit I did not care for the bird. But I also admit much of this was due to my lack of knowledge and that they did not meet expectations. They get too big to be willing to move, unless they are starving. If used to ranging for their food all day, I can see how constant excersise would make them hardier, but if not ranged all day they become too large to move without pain.

 

[duluthralphie]

I've had a much different experience with CX, with them ranging better than any breed I've ever had simply because they are very hungry. Here's a vid of the last large batch of CX...ranging and flying. This batch even roosted as high as 3 ft off the ground. They were fed once a day, fermented layer and whole grains, after they had ranged all day long. Pardon the very poor video skills...my very first such things and done on a still camera.

My first batch were raised by a broody hen and lived with the layer flock. They too ranged very well, all finished at good weights after only being fed once per day after foraging all day. Didn't lose any of either batch due to health issues or predators, though they ranged far and wide.

Sounds like we had the same experience with them. I love my CX's they are grasshopper and cabbage moth eating machines!


If you give kid everything and do not make him work for anything, just let him lay on the couch and watch TV while you bring him treats you will get a big lazy slobbish kid, CX's are no different, you make them earn their way and work for their food, and not lay on the couch all day and you will have great chickens..

 

[Beekissed]

But she is not going to let them range all day (unless I misunderstood, then pardon) She is only going to let them out to range during specific times. So unless they are starving they are unlikely to range much.
I admit I did not care for the bird. But I also admit much of this was due to my lack of knowledge and that they did not meet expectations. They get too big to be willing to move, unless they are starving. If used to ranging for their food all day, I can see how constant excersise would make them hardier, but if not ranged all day they become too large to move without pain.

Unfortunately, if they are not out on range at a very early age and for a good bit of their sustenance, there's really no reason to range them at all as they will not likely even know why they should go out and forage. Some people get them to move by placing their feed at one end of the range and water at another but I don't really call that exercise or ranging.

I don't consider it "starving" them to let them forage for their food instead of giving them continuous feed, no more than it's starving a laying flock to do so. It's just presenting them with an alternative to a feeder full of grain and letting them do what comes natural...and they do it very well. Better than most chickens, in fact.

 

[duluthralphie]

I am going to wear out my welcome with one more CX video.

As you can tell I really like CX's. They are my favorite chicken. This is when I let them into a new pasture.

 

[Beekissed]

They are sweet birds, for sure. One day I was sitting on a bench with my mother and one hopped up between us, settled down for a rest and let us pet it all the while. Sweet, moochy and entertaining to watch. They would eat their grain ration for supper and then go back out and range until dark, some not even making it back in the coop they stayed out so long. They loved their roosts I made them and they stayed clean and well feathered all the way to butchering time.

 

[KlopKlop]

I've had a much different experience with CX, with them ranging better than any breed I've ever had simply because they are very hungry. Here's a vid of the last large batch of CX...ranging and flying. This batch even roosted as high as 3 ft off the ground. They were fed once a day, fermented layer and whole grains, after they had ranged all day long. Pardon the very poor video skills...my very first such things and done on a still camera. My first batch were raised by a broody hen and lived with the layer flock. They too ranged very well, all finished at good weights after only being fed once per day after foraging all day. Didn't lose any of either batch due to health issues or predators, though they ranged far and wide.

It is so refreshing to hear another person talk so highly of properly raised Cornish cross. They aren't the Frankenstein bird everyone thinks they are supposed to be. I won't get up on my soap box and beat the horse any more than it has but count me amongst the crowd that loves them.

 

[duluthralphie]

It is so refreshing to hear another person talk so highly of properly raised Cornish cross. They aren't the Frankenstein bird everyone thinks they are supposed to be. I won't get up on my soap box and beat the horse any more than it has but count me amongst the crowd that loves them.

I am sorry if I was beating the dead horse, I just can't help myself. I love the CX's so much. When we do Chicken TV and have CX's one of them ends up on my lap and a couple around my feet getting petted. Even my DW will pick up one of them and hold it.

I care for them so much that on camp day I refuse to allow anyone to carry them by their feet on their way to the axe. I make whoever has axe duty carry them sitting up and snuggling. Then it is over before they know it.

Yeah treating them humanely makes processing harder. But it is God's plan, something dies for us to live. A simple fact, I thank God and the bird for my having known it's sacrifice to me and my family.
I actually think some people consider them frankenbirds or less than chickens to make processing them easier.

 

[wyoDreamer]

Thank you for the picture of the meat-bird tractor, (I forgot who posted it).

DH and I are talking about doing a batch of CornishX this summer and were talking about something similar to that. I worry though because he complained the other night that the store bought boneless, skinless chicken breast was tough. I didn't notice anything tough about it. The grocery store has Boneless skinless chcicken on sale for $0.99 per pound and that is the store I bought the "tough" stuff from... I said I would like to can it for quick meals. We like chicken enchiladas a lot, so having the chicken pre-cooked and seasoned would be really great.

 

[OrganicFarmWife]

Thank you for the picture of the meat-bird tractor, (I forgot who posted it). 

DH and I are talking about doing a batch of CornishX this summer and were talking about something similar to that.  I worry though because he complained the other night that the store bought boneless, skinless chicken breast was tough.  I didn't notice anything tough about it.  The grocery store has Boneless skinless chcicken on sale for $0.99 per pound and that is the store I bought the "tough" stuff from...  I said I would like to can it for quick meals.  We like chicken enchiladas a lot, so having the chicken pre-cooked and seasoned would be really great.

It came from this book. It is filled with great plans, and they use a lot 9f repurposed materials in their coops. pic of the tractor I plan on building is on the bottom.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

Ok, so CX it is I guess. I'm still going to do some rangers and such but the majority will be CX. I will need to buy a truck load of mason jars though before I process, can't let all the good broth making stuff go to waste.

Please everyone, enjoy the ride on the soap box . No one is being mean and I take all advice and input with stride. I mix and match ideas until I have something that works.

I'm excited about getting more birds. Now all I need is a trampoline frame and a few cat boxes and the meaties will have a nice coop.

I do plan on ranging in the early part of the day, say 7 am until human dinner at about 530. Then I will give them dinner and close up for the night. I want them healthy and happy, not fat and crippled. That's cruel. Process time will be a time of many thanks and much kindness as I will feel horrible for taking a life to feed my kids but it must be done. @duluthralphie the thought of carrying a bird by its feet is not nice. Can't we just pretend that everyone is civil and nice on processing day? Those poor birds deserve a bit of dignity. Lol.