My Cornish X Rocks are dropping over dead

[Brunty_Farms]

Quote:
No, your right on... and actually your above the norm so they are being overfed just a bit. They should be about 1.5 pounds at three weeks. I think your a few days over 3 weeks so that should be right on. They shouldn't reach 3 lbs until the 5th week and by then they should weigh about 3.30 pounds or so on average.


Your doing fine, but you need to get bigger feeders so they have feed all day. At night, either turn the lights out or take the feed away. At three plus weeks they can handle temps down in the 40's as long as they are inside away from wind. Did you lose anymore over night?

 

[Michele S]

All alive today!!!! We have been taking the feed away for two nights now and while I didn't get out to buy more feeders, I just used my tupperware and spread their feed out into different stations and physically moved them around so each had a spot. We are going to be almost 70 today, so we are letting them out. So far, they aren't going for it. They are actually afraid to go out of the shed. CHICKENS!

Lo and behold, we counted them today and still have 24. So either one came back to life or they sent one extra originally and I didn't notice. Again, getting major sh&t for that one today. UGH.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

You should be fine from here on out.

 

[CARS]

Move the feed out of the shed. They will move outside if they want to eat (which they do).

 

[patman75]

Is a Tuff shed plastic? How is the ventilation?

 

[jaku]

There's also the learning curve you mentioned- my first batch, I lost around 15%. Now, I lose maybe 3-4% per batch. I did a lot of research before I got them, but never owned chickens before. I've been raising them ever since, and each batch I do works out better than the last. I honestly can't tell you anything I've done differently between batches. I'm sure there's been some things, but it's all in the experience- you kind of get a feel for what they need. Don't give up. Follow as much of the advise you read here that's practical for you, and stay positive. They are a great bird, but they take a little getting used to.

 

[catnhat]

Cornish rocks should be feed a mix of feeds low in protein, or a natural diet. I feed mine earth worms and a mixture of chick starter, mixed grain., and lots of alfalfa and yard waste. I keep them in an outside run all the time ( they go in the freezer at 11-12 lbs) . They can not be feed like regular chicks or they have heart problems. I learned this the hard way, lost too many of my chickens, they grow too fast when put on commercial feeds.YourLinkGoesHere

 

[CARS]

Quote:

I'm not sure how to respond to your first post. You are doing things the complete opposite of what I have been doing.

How long does it take for you to get a 12 lb bird???

 

[Michele S]

Quote:
We are completely fresh out of earthworms and alfalfa here in the desert. I could buy alfalfa for a mere 200 dollars a ton if I had a mind too. Anyway, I followed the excellent advice of the men on this forum and haven't lost a bird since. They are 5.5 weeks old now and weigh four pounds and are outside and run around quite a bit. They look very healthy and happy. My only issue was not taking their feed away at night. I would love to grow them on grass and bugs, but that isn't my reality and if that was the only way they could be raised, there wouldn't be any chicken available in the stores.

 

[Buster52]

Quote:
Well, that isn't exactly accurate, but okay.