Impressed by CornishX...sort of

[Country Parson]

I've read lots and lots of posts about CornishX. Before I got this batch (20 meaties), I've only had a little experience with them. I must say I've not experienced the horror stories that I've read about. The birds have grown well with no major problems, and are currently at 7 weeks exactly. Keep in mind here in Ohio we've had a very cool/windy Spring, so most likely my birds are not growing as fast as they could (even though I feed nearly 24/7). Still, I'm glad I chose Spring to raise them, after a local friend of mine lost over 30 birds on a single day in the heat of last Summer.

They are rather odd little birds, behavior wise. I have them in with 3 younger DP chicks (several weeks old), as well as a DP hen with a foot injury. They is a clear difference in behavior between the meaties and these 4 birds. The closer they get to 8 weeks the more often I must move the pen (5x10). Now at 7 weeks I have to move it at least twice a day. They do produce LOTS of manure.

I am seeing something of their delicate nature. Yesterday as I was taking them food one of the meaties began flapping his wings and his shoulder bone ripped right through the skin/feathers. Seriously! All he was doing was flapping in excitement for food and he literally starting ripping apart. I checked on him this morning and he seems to be OK. The other chickens are not going after him, but I still may go ahead and process him early (that shoulder has to be painful).

All in all, I can see why people love and hate these birds.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

sounds like you have had a good experience and done things right. keep in mind that delicateness when you go to catch them to take to butcher, I hear of many wings being broken at that time, even leggs. I am doing spring this year adn even thought it means I have 100 in the barn and have to deal with the mess it is FAR easier than doing them in the summer.
Personally I think they rather pleasant personalities.

 

[ChikeeMomma]

I like the cornish X, too. This is my second year doing them as a meat bird (did a free ranger the first time around -- three years total doing meat birds). I have 20 meaties that are 3 weeks old. They are friendly little creatures. I raise them right along with the few laying pullets that I buy each year. I processed mine at about ten weeks last year. They averaged out at about 5 1/2lbs dressed weight. They were all healthy and happy critters. I enjoy raising them in the spring, too. They do take more care in feeding/watering than the layers, so it's easier to be done with them by the end of May and have the summer to go camping, etc. And like mentioned, they aren't being raised in the summer heat, which they don't always appreciate. : ) Although, when I had to take mine to the butchers last year (mid May), it was 90+ degrees (not the norm). I didn't loose one of them, though. Good luck!