I ( think ) I might have a problem raising meat chics. I have the Jumbo Cornish x and for all my labors I can't seem to keep them CLEAN. Seems they eat and poop and then lay in it. They are always dirty and I clean the run every day. I put straw down every day to give them clean bedding but it seems gross to constantly see the brown on their under belly and chest. Is this Normal? Last week I even gave them all a bath but I am right back to square one today. Am I doing something wrong here?? This is my first experience with these little zombies and I could sure use a second opinion. Thanks.
Very normal. I suggest giving them a another place every other day to lay around in or putting them out and forcing them to move around and use their legs more. They are very messy and have a very different stench. They seem to create more poop than possible. LOL
Unfortunately I only have one run for them. It's hard to envision eating them when they are always full of IT!!
Nothing like the smell of X poo. Wait till they're ready to process.... Looking at the size of the poo's, you'll think you have a run full of dogs not chickens!!!
I was in the same boat as you, having mine in one stationary pen and they were gross. Towards the end of the time I had them, I moved some into a chicken tractor and moved it every day. They were cleaner, but still not clean like laying hens. They are just the slobs of the chicken world. Nothing you are doing wrong. I had an offer from my mom to help me with plucking, but I didn't take her up on it, because I think if she saw how gross they were, she would have decided not to eat them! I am going to try some of the slower growers next year.
Quote:One solution may be to make a portable run that you can move around the yard. I have a book with a good illustration of such a pen. Good luck to you. I want to do meat birds someday. Let me know how it goes for you.
Yes,they are stinkers so your really not doing anything wrong in your caring for them but,you really have to move them around,even if it is just enough to get them on fresh ground.They are built so low to the ground it's almost impossable to raise them in one spot.I think your meat will be better and you won't feel you are spending all your hard work keeping them clean. They are an awesome breed but can not be raised like your basic yard trotter. good luck Will
Yep, they be dirty birds. I keep mine moving around and they still end up messes when I have more than two.
