Letting my broody raise 20 meaties. Now I have a rooster raising 50 CX chicks~new batch!

[ChikeeMomma]

Cute pics! My Cornish Xs are 6 and 7 weeks old today. I have let them run about in a large grass filled run since 2 1/2 weeks of age and sometimes they do free range. I was worried that they would be smaller than normal for some reason, but they are actually very nice sized, and yet they aren't laying around like I assumed they would. They are quite active -- eating grasses and chase after bugs! My uncle bought some with me at the local feed store. His are noticeably smaller -- he fed a medicated starter and I did not. I believe the same protein content. Now we are feeding the same finisher. His haven't been outdoors as long as mine. Just find it funny! And we had planned on taking them to the processors at the same time, but I don't think mine will be able to wait that long. I am going to process at 8 and 9 weeks -- his will need longer. Good job BeeKissed! They look great!

 

[pattgal]

Im thinking of doing this with my own later on to save me the work (letting my layer hen raise my cornishX),
but would it work with any ole hen (not talking about bantams here just standards)? I mean those things get huge FAST
(Just for reference my hen would be an EE)

 

[Beekissed]

Quote:
Since this is my first attempt, I have no idea! The only way to know is to try it and monitor the results....and get 'em out of there fast if things go bad!!!

 

[Frogdogtimestwo]

Thanks I may just do this, she wants to be a mom soooo bad, it will be a fun experiment.

 

[chicks4kids]

Quote:
I have a turkey that just hatched out 6 chickens...if you give her the meaties, she'll love them for sure!!

 

[Frogdogtimestwo]

That's great news! Thanks for sharing that.

 

[Luke0987654321]

any more pics?

 

[Beekissed]

Was just thinking that I needed to do another pic...they are really free ranging now and they are fast little boogers! I have been having a little hawk predation since my best hawk dog is showing her age this spring...she is sleeping more and having more arthritic pain.

I'm just counting heads every evening, expecting to see a plump little white bird has come up missing....

Lost two layers recently, but that is the price one has to pay for free ranging. My thoughts are the dumb birds get taken, the smart birds get to live....these little meaties just don't have a chance!!

They stink more than my whole flock of layers....wonder why their stool is so foul smelling compared to the other bird's? They are eating the same diet.

I'll try to get another pic this weekend. They are getting more assertive at the feeding trough and are really tucking into the grub....grow little meaties, grow!

 

[Luke0987654321]

how old are they now?
any pics?
is she doing welll with all of them under her?
just curious...


luke

 

[Beekissed]

Luke, they couldn't fit under her if she were 5 ft. wide now!

They are nearly half her size and risin'. They are 1 month old now and so fun to watch! It looks like white piranhas out there...they swoop in to devour the things she finds, nearly knocking her out of the way in the process. Still have all 20 of the boogers and they waddle when they walk, just like big meaties....so funny to watch.

She now roosts with the other hens and the chicks stay on the coop floor at night, but you can still tell which white chicken is the mama...the one eyeing those babies like a vulture, waiting to pounce if you get too close!

I'll try to post pics later on this week, if I can.