Is it possible to raise Cornish Rock chicks to live much longer then 8 weeks?

[lightchick]

I would love to rescue a Cornish Rock chick from such a short life. If that is possible.
How would I have to feed one? What should I feed one?
I would want to grow the chick as slowly as possible so the chick doesn't get any problems. SO what should I do? Could the chick live without a heat lamp faster then the normal breeds? Any advice?

 

[Twistedfeather]

You can get the 14 week strain. But not normally because they'll die soon afterwards because their system will fail on them since they grow rapidly. At seven weeks for ours they were so heavy that they started to lose their ability to walk because they cannot support their weight.

You can take the chick off the heat lamp at least during a week. Feed it feed that will put weight on it and it should be cheap because you'll go through a lot more than the average chicken.

 

[speckledhen]

Yes, you can. Just check out our member "aoxa"'s videos of her Cornish X birds free ranging. You'll be amazed. You'll have to make concessions for their genetic predisposition to eat to excess, I believe, but they can live longer with proper care.

 

[lightchick]

Can I feed them normal chick starter or do I need to feed meat chick feed?
The chick would free range in my yard and I'd give it lots of TLC.

 

[goodb]

I can't give specifics but I am aware of them living well past the standard time. Another farmer has mentioned that he has bred a pair. From what I have seen, free-range, regular feed and exercise does wonders for them.

 

[Folly's place]

From another angle; If you are offended, as I am, that basically unhealthy birds are produced for purely economic reasons, buying them only helps sustain their production. "Vote with your wallet" and buy some other type of birds that are meant to survive and have good lives. If you are trying to keep Cornishx birds long term, free range and feed, and selecting the survivors, will be the way forward. Mary

 

[CrazyTalk]

There's nothing unhealthy about Cornish X unless you feed them to death.

 

[duluthralphie]

They can live 18 months or more, read some of the threads on here.

I have some now I plan to keep 2 hens and a rooster over winter to lay eggs in the spring.

You must change how you raise them. Limit the food. Give them space/free range.

They can actual chicks and not the mutants most think they are. I am not planning to process any of mine before 12 weeks.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...eat-birds-and-super-excited/270#post_14074676


and

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/913478/my-cornish-x-experiment/120#post_14055038

and this last one should really interest you...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/917933/10-cornish-x-eggs-in-the-incubator/10#post_14071536