meat birds on wire

[Big George]

Does anyone raise cornish x rocs on wire instead of litter, and how does it work out ,thanks.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Not a good idea, they develop leg problems on the wire and also if you keep them in there too long they will develop breast blisters. It's best to keep heavy birds like that on something soft.

You may get away with it for about a week or two... at most. If you looking to do a brooder that way I would say it may work but keep your eyes out for any problems. Go with a half inch wire, I would lay paper towels down for the first few days to let their feet grow, so they find food, and too keep them warm. If you go with a smaller gauge the manure may not fall through.

Good luck...

 

[Bossroo]

Many moons ago, we kept about a hundred of many large breeds of (cockerels raised to fully mature ) roosters ( who practiced chorus all day) as well as two hundred castrated ( to eliminate sex hormones) male rabbits in individual wire cages for a few years. We used them to produce antibody serum for genetic marker research and needed each one with individual identification . All were very well cared for in environmentally controlled and biosecure isolated buildings with radios on and people working there throughout the day who kept meticulous daily sanitary cleaning, feed, health, and research records of each individual. We did this to insure against any stress or health problems. They all worked out just fine with no health or leg issues. The point being... yes, one can... with the 6 weeks it takes to reach slaughter weight and controlling their feed, most problems would be minimal if proper husbandry is practiced.

 

[95yj]

i think it would definitely be easier to not keep them on wire if thats a choice. You'll probably end up with more sick and underweight birds if you grow them on wire. in my humble opinion

 

[CedarRidgeChicks]

Yes you can..I have raised Cornish X for two years in pens with wire bottoms and no problems.
However let me say..we butchered them at 7 & 9 weeks..if they were to go much further I think there could be problems. At 6-7 wks, we picked out the largest ones and butchered them..which was about 24, then 1-1/2 weeks later we butchered the other 24. We got them in March, started them in a brooder with a heat light at night. We moved them to the pens between 2-3 weeks. We repeated this in the fall and will repeat again this March. We order 50 at a time..I have processed 194 and had only 4 losses after arrival..2 doa.

 

[jaku]

I brood mine for the first few weeks on wire, with no problems.

 

[willheveland]

I'm sure you can. I never would. When I see animals walking on wire It looks like they're walking on glass. I just think it's best to keep them on fresh ground unless you have no other choice. Jmho Will