Meat birds dropping like flies!!

[LilyD]

If you are using a free feeder rather than a smaller feeder I have noticed that that is a problem as well. Our Cornish will almost finish a 30lb feeder in a day if we fill it. We have 60 birds. So we started putting in only the amount of food that they should have for that day rather than just giving them whatever they can eat. If it's there they will eat it no matter what.

 

[stargazer2014]

Quote:
We have a big feeder..so big I can't lift it when it's full. I will definitely research how much food 25 cornish should get in a day for next time.

I know we'll do them again, definitely. But, as someone mentioned earlier, you have learn from your mistakes. I just hope we have chickens left to learn from! lol

Thanks again, everyone! You've been extremely helpful, as I knew you all would be!

 

[bigredfeather]

Quote:
See if this helps.
http://www.welphatchery.com/cornish_rock_care.asp

 

[Nostalchic]

We used to raise Cornish crosses in Indiana in the 70's, 50 of them at a time, and always got them from McMurray's. Although they didn't free range like our other chickens, we rarely lost any - in fact, I don't remember losing a single one - and didn't restrict feed, etc. I was wondering if anyone knows if they have been further "refined" since then to grow faster, bigger breasts, etc. Because we were considering raising some meaties again, but maybe would lean towards Freedom Rangers, don't want to deal with these sorts of problems. Those CX's were the best tasting chickens we'd ever had (then or since). They did get goat's milk and garden stuff regularly...

 

[stargazer2014]

Quote:
See if this helps.
http://www.welphatchery.com/cornish_rock_care.asp

That helps immensely! Thank you so much!

 

[bigredfeather]

Quote:
I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing they are constantly being refined for better feed conversion and more rapid growth. Goat's milk is definetly a great supplement for these birds. When I'm doing a batch just for our family, I mix either goat milk or goat milk Kefir with their food a few times a week. The last batch I did that with all 51 would have made it to the freezer if I hadn't ran 1 of them over with the tractor or killed 1 by putting a waterer on top of it. They were the most active bunch I have ever raised. That may be why you had such a great livability rate. It does make complete sense. It gives them animal protein (which is often lacking in store bought feed), extra calcium/magnesium, and a whole host of other vitamins. I wish I had the time to do that for all of them that I raise, but it is time consuming mixing it up all the time.

 

[cbreezerentals]

I do not know what your temps are there or type of tractor you have them in but they are sensitive to heat as well.

 

[LadyFunnyFarm]

We have had some crazy temp. variations for the last 3 weeks or so. We'll be in the upper 70's and 80's for a few days, then lows in the upper 30's/low 40's with highs in the 50'/60's for a week. Back and forth, with lots & lots of rain, sunny for a couple days, wet again for a week, etc.

We don't have our 10-12 week babes outside yet, but probably will next week.

So sorry about your losses!

 

[stargazer2014]

Came home to one more dead meat bird.

 

[LadyFunnyFarm]

Gah! That is awful! I am so sorry for you!