Meat bird question

[Ccdance75]

Hi there. I believe instead of leghorns, I got meat birds. Very thick legs, grew super fast, anyway, can I keep them for laying? I'm reading mixed reviews. Also, can I put them with my other hens who are a year old. These are 6 weeks and look almost full grown!
Thanks!!

 

[WatkinsCluckers]

Do you have pictures of them? Check to see if they're Cornish Crosses. If they are, they are not meant to be layers and their egg production is low like about 50 a year. I've done some research on them and most people say that egg layers will pick on them since layers are more livelier than meat chickens. Meat chickens get to be "full sized" by about 8-11 weeks, so I'm not surprised that they look almost full grown!

 

[sourland]

By limiting feed their life span can be extended somewhat, but they will not live as long or produce as well as your other hens. Integration may be difficult as they tend to be somewhat clumsy and easily picked on.

 

[Ccdance75]

These are the best I could get.

 

[WatkinsCluckers]

Yes, I'm sorry, but they do look like Cornish Crosses to me! Lovely birds though. What will be your plans now?

 

[Molpet]

I kept one for a meat mutt project.
Restricted feed and lots of exercise. She still died at 1 yr old. Heartbreakers

 

[GoodwinFarm]

These are the best I could get.

You know, I have to disagree that these are cornish crosses. They have more feathers than any cornish crosses I've ever raised. Can you get a picture of their legs (you'll have to get on the ground ) ?

They are beefy (can you say that about chickens? ) for leghorns. Where did you get them?

 

[Rammy]

I think they are cornish. I had some that I processed at 8 weeks and they looked just like that, fully feathered and big.

 

[Ashmt51]

Look like my Cornish crosses that are 8 weeks old. Mine still have all their feathers also. They get plenty of exercise but still probably weigh 8-10 pounds. We are processing some this weekend and the rest me at weekend. I read online they don’t have a good egg production

 

[Painted Calls]

They are without a doubt CX. Beyond what everyone else has said, I can't help much.

You could process these and buy laying birds. You could also try selling them or trading them for layers.