My first Cornish X Chicks.

[lizanne]

I recieved my babies in the mail on Tuesday, I bought 22 Cornish X, 1 Australorp, 1 EE, 1 White Leghorn, 1 Dark Cornish, and my mystery chick. I knew the Cornish would grow fast, but Holy Cow!! They are so much bigger than the other ones. At what point should I seperate them from my regular chicks (or do I have to)? I worry that the smaller chicks won't get enough to eat with all the fatties in there.


White Leghorn (left), Cornish X (right)


White Leghorn (Left), Cornish X (right)


White Leghorn (left), Cornish X (right)

 

[chickenjudy]

Isn't it amazing?! They double in size daily it seems like!!
Probably best if you separate them after 5 days so you can take food away at night as recommended but I personally have a group that is about 2 weeks old that are still with my "regular" chicks. I plan on separating them in a week or so once they are TOO big to stay with the others, though, and so I can limit food and change to a broiler ration.

 

[lizanne]

What are you feeding your's now? I'm giving them Flock Raiser (20 % protein) mixed with Quail Starter (28% protein). I also have Broiler Booster added to their water.

 

[chickenjudy]

They are on a standard medicated chick starter that I think is 18%. I would have separated them by now (usually only leave them about 4-5 days with the others) but I'm leaving town next week and trying to make chores as easy as possible for the hubby

 

[redsoxs]

You won't believe how bit they will be when you get back!!! Enjoy them while they're young!

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Congrats and good luck. I am getting mine in April.

 

[barrettdrka]

How long do you all who have experience with the cornish X keep them until "freezer camp day"? We are feeding them the grower starter 24% feed (DuMor). Also, any alternative suggestions on what to feed them that yields better results?

Thanks

 

[Talihofarms]

How long do you all who have experience with the cornish X keep them until "freezer camp day"? We are feeding them the grower starter 24% feed (DuMor). Also, any alternative suggestions on what to feed them that yields better results?

Thanks

After about 3 weeks we start to reduce the protein to around 19%.
We put them out on pasture at 4 weeks and will keep them out till as long as 8 weeks with no problems, other than predators.
Camp freezer by week 9 no mater what.

 

[lizanne]

Do they start running into issues after 9 weeks? I've also heard that you lower the protein content of the feed, the older they get. Is that correct?

I'm a meat chicken newbie, so any advice is appreciated.

 

[Tabasco Jack]

Don't try and keep them past 9-10 weeks. They get so big they just want to sit around and eat all day long.
I feed 24% protein feed for 4 weeks and then switch to 20% for the remaining time. Plus, they have all the grass and bugs they can catch. If I have garden scraps I'll throw that to them also.