Layer chicks fed with Cornish X

[cattleman999]

Is it possible to raise the cornish X with normal egg laying chicks. I am new to raising chickens, just ordered 25 brown egg layers and 10 cornish X. I have 5 Isa-Browns, 5 Rhode Island Reds, 2 Silver Spangled Hamburg, 2 Lakenvelder, and 1 Silver Leghorn. These were all already at least a few months old and this will be my first attempt at raising chicks. I have really enjoyed reading all the different topics here. My wife is telling everyone that I am obsessed. I would appreciate any input that you have.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

it's not much of a prob to start with, however eventually the CX will hog the feed or should your layers be agressive they can keep the CX from getting the total nutrients they need. It can be done, but is better to seperate.

 

[turtlebird]

after day 5, I feed cornish cross 12 hours unlimited feed, 12 hours - no feed. I don't think this set up would work for your layers, as they don't gorge themselves. I have feed available for my layers around the clock.
I would separate.
I hope all goes well for you. If you are indeed obsessed, you have great company here!

 

[RoninComputing]

Your layers need continuous access to feed.... your Cornish X if allowed continuous access to feed will literally eat to the point of rendering them selves unable to move... they will go off their legs as it is referred to. You need to keep the two separate. The Cornish also do better on a higher protein feed. but allowed access to it for only 20 min at a time 3-4 times per day...

 

[cattleman999]

Thanks for all the replies. I am planning on building a 10x10 tractor from pvc to raise them in. I think I will just split that in two by putting wire down the middle to keep the birds separate so that I can feed them differently. How soon should I be able to tell the CornishX from the layers? How much room will the chicks need inside and how soon can I get them outside in the tractor? Temps here have been in the mid to upper 90's during the day and low to mid 70's at night.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

By week two you should EASILY be able to tell the difference between meaties and layer chicks.
With those temps they could be in the tractor by two weeks as well, I put mine out at 1 week with much lower temps.
They just need enough room to spread out and to reach the food and water without much trouble . . . heres a pic of my tractor it held 25 birds with no problem and was . . . let me think, 10 x10 I'm pretty sure.

 

[cattleman999]

I am planning on building something very similar to your coop. What I have decided to try is to make it 10x10 but split it in half. One side for the layers the other side for the meaties. That way I should be able to feed them separately. I also plan on letting them free range some if they would like. How long did it take you to build your coop?
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[cattleman999]

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What type of water system is that in your tractor also? I am very curious about that.
Thank you!

 

[HLAC]

My last batch of chicks, 13 golden comets and 20 cornish x were raised together from day one until I processed the cornish x's. They got along well. No picking at all. I had heard bad things about raising them together but was surprised at how well it worked. I gave them all 20-24% protein feed.

What was kind of cool about this batch was that the little comets are were so speedy and athletic and were always running about, jumping up on stuff and chest bumping each other. The cornish chicks really tried to keep up with them for several weeks. It was very amusing to watch and I think it helped keep the cornish a bit healthier than they would have been on their own.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

The first pen I built took about two hours (not counting multiple trips to HD) I didn't have plans and was just working out of my head (often a hinderence lol). My daughter can now whip one out in an hour.
The waterer is WONDERFUL!!! It's a five gallon bucket with lid (5 gallons of clean water!!!) and three nipples on the bottom (mail order -tek supply 2.00 each), my husband made the stand . . . I have the best husband