Ideas on feeding my 6 week old flock

[Newbie_Chicken_Lady]

Hello, I have 4 six week old chicks (1 CX Rooster, 1CX Hen, 1 Black Asian Hen, and 1 ISA Brown). My family have decided to try and keep the CX alive as long as possible and not butcher them. The original plan was to only get laying hens but the guy at TSC gave us the wrong breed. Currently they have unlimited feed in the mornings, evenings, and night. They have been going outside alot lately in the past couple days, but it will be colder this week and they are getting restless (I live in Maryland). We keep a little food out when they are in the tractor or just roaming the yard. They usually don't eat that much, but my real question is, what should my feeding routine look like?

 

[Newbie_Chicken_Lady]

I forgot to add, they are on Organic starter/grower and the cornish cross look severly underweight for processing, considering alot of people process them at 8 weeks of age.

 

[Justso]

Personally, I free feed and have it and water available all the time. However, I've never had CX, I'd be interested in hearing from people who've had these birds.

 

[Acre4Me]

Can we see pics of the CX?

Some people successfully keep CX, but seem to lose them around 8-12 months of age. I’m sure there are exceptions to this or very specific management to prevent overly early death.

is it possible to get two more 6 week old layer chicks? Friends family might know someone thatbought chicks but doesn’t want to keep them. Or bought too many. The CX just arenot bred for longevity, so be prepared for that.

keeping them from just sitting around and eating is key, and you are already doing that bc the are in a larger space to roam, and don’t seem to be hanging around the feeder.