keeping cornish crosses through winter

[Wannabe_homesteader]

right now i have 46 cornish crosses. i am going to have most of them butchered on the 20th, but the rest i want to keep. i know if they get too big they can have a few health problems and that its best to let them free range, but what about in winter when theres really nothing for them to eat as far as plants and weeds and such? How much and what type of feed should i give them so they don't run into these health problems? any help would be great, and if you have any suggestions besides feeding that is also appreciated

 

[PeeperKeeper]

You didn't list where you live. So it depends on your weather/climate. We feed greens and cabbage to the flock during the winter months. Table scraps are always good (especially if you are a health food nut!)
The amount of carbs eaten will depend on how much energy is needed to keep warm.
What are you winters like?

 

[Buster52]

I gotta ask...

Why?

Why do you want to keep them that long? They are bred to grow fast and die young, as I understand it. The meat would be tough by then, and you can't breed them.

Not criticizing, just curious.

 

[cassie]

How long are you planning on keeping these things? We butcher ours between ten and twelve weeks of age and they dress out between 11 and 13 1/2 pounds then. I would think for regular fryers you would process them between six and eight weeks.

 

[jaku]

I agree with the other folks, and wanted to add that none of my Cornish X's have foraged at all. I've processed a ton of them, and never found a single blade of grass in a crop, no bugs, nothing. I know others have raised birds who behave otherwise, but you will DEFINITELY need to feed them- even in the summer/fall when there is plenty of forage. Not sure what to tell you though, as I've never let mine go past about 9 weeks old.