Jumbo Cornish X's Dying

[IndianaHomestea]

I ordered 15 jumbo cornish X's for the first time. I know they're prone to health issues, but wasn't expecting it so early. In the first week I've already lost two. They seemed perfectly fine, then I check on them a few days ago and one is laying there with his neck back and spine curved back... I culled him.

Then today one is just laying there on his front, breathing (both were) but could barely move, so I culled him too.

Are these heart attacks you think? I thought maybe the first one might have broken his back, not sure.

Any ideas?

 

[Tabasco Jack]

You might want to contact the hatchery to see if any other people are having deaths also. Might be a bad hatch. While 2 is not a large number of deaths, it is 13% of your total order which is high.

I usually lose 2-3 out of my first order of the year but it's due to the cold weather mostly.

Good luck with the rest of them.

 

[IndianaHomestea]

Well, so far so good. Since I posted this I haven't lost anymore. Is that a normal cornish cross in your pic or a jumbo (or is there a difference?) I got mine from McMurrey.

 

[Tabasco Jack]

Well, so far so good. Since I posted this I haven't lost anymore. Is that a normal cornish cross in your pic or a jumbo (or is there a difference?) I got mine from McMurrey.

I get the Cornish Roasters from McMurray. In 2 years, and 85 birds, I've only had 1 heart attack and 1 with leg problems.
I'm in the middle of butchering this spring batch and went down to check the pen right before dark and there was one of the hens sitting on her butt with her legs straight out in front. Poor thing, couldn't get up to walk.
I had to do her by flashlight. Kinda like deer hunting, just smaller.

 

[BCMaraniac]

The Cornish Roasters grow a bit slower, and aren't as susceptible to let problems, right? I have a few ordered with Red Rangers from McMurray which are due to arrive the first week of July.

I am getting ready to harvest 9 week-old Cornish Rocks this coming weekend. How old are your Cornish Roasters at harvest, and how is the weight?

 

[SunnysMama]

I purchased from McMurray, too and I lost 5 last night. I have another one that is not very big and just laying there gasping. Comb is somewhat purplish. So far they have all been females. So frustrated because I have always purchased from McMurray and have never had problems before. So far this year I have lost 8 that are older than 5 weeks.

They are fed fermented grain with Purina Flock Raiser and I haven't changed anything from previous years. I am just beside myself this year because most of them were already sold. Ugh....NEVER AGAIN will I raise them for anyone but myself.

 

[peteyfoozer]

I ordered 55 birds from McMurray this year. Of 20 rangers that came, 3 died the first 24 hours. of the 30 CornishX I have not lost ANY! I'm really amazed. The 5 Jersey Giants and the little something they threw in look good as well. It's been almost 3 weeks and haven't lost any other chicks. I'm pretty happy about it and will order from them again next year. I did get their broiler booster that goes in the water. I wonder if that is making the difference?

 

[LemonMeringue]

I ordered Jumbo CX from MM this spring also(my first time with meat birds). I ordered 20 and they threw in an Egyptian Fayomi. I also got the broiler booster to add vitamins and I am feeding about 65-75%FF. I haven't lost any but reading about how ppl have multiple birds go down at a time sure makes me nervous. Mine are 6wks now. I am really hoping we don't have any go down with heart attacks.

 

[srm220]

we had:

one that got a sore on her thigh
one that tried to ´flip´ My amazing daughter saved her
one that had leg problems
one now that seems to have a slight leg problem. will process him tonight or tomorrow. (he´s almost 14 weeks old)

we´ve lost zero.