My Meatie Project - Frustrating Start

[doubleatraining]

Sorry, I wasn't trying to ignore you. She lost a bunch too and it looks like she might loose more.

Just talked to my "brooder guy" and we have 8 left. We talked about it a lot and are going to try another batch from a different hatchery. He is as shocked as I am and frustrated. He has never had trouble keeping chicks alive. I think if this batch goes well then we will try the Red broiler/Red Rangers next time.

I had a really good experience with Ideal for a variety of other chicks. I wish their Red Broilers were still on sale. Such is my luck.

 

[EggsForIHOP]

I really kind of figured that was the case, but I was dying to know, you know?

Ideal is actually much closer to me and I've got a good friend that loves them...but I am difficult and independent by nature and thus had to give Welp a try this time...just because

I have to different I guess....

I really hope you can get some broilers actually on a good roll. To me it's just amazing to watch things grow and be productive for my own self. I can't wait until you are posting good results! And here's hoping at least the other 8 make it to the dinner table for you soon!

 

[machoman]

I'm the girl she split her order with and I've been disappointed with how many I've lost so far. While I didn't lose as many as her, I've lost enough for it to frustrate me. I had 13 and have lost 4 so far and will probably lose one more. The first one died the second day after it arrived. The second one died at two weeks. The third one died a few days ago. It stopped walking and just drug its legs behind itself, it ate and drank like the others...with gusto... but its legs twitched and would not work. The last one went into a coma like state before it died. The one I'm worried about now is slightly spraddle legged. I did everything I was supposed to do as far as care and I expected to lose one, maybe two...but not this many. The other 8 look very good and are fat. It's kind of freakish how big they are.

Ironically, I have 7 black star rooster chicks too and they're thriving. No issues at all. These guys were purchased from a guy down the road and were a couple of days old. They're eating the same food as the cornish and are in the same brooder they were in as well as under the same light.

I will do cornishx again, but from a different hatchery.

 

[booker81]

Where does the hatchery guy get broilers from (if he raises them)?

I'd try again from a different hatchery - maybe one of the ones folks here like a lot - some that come to mind are Welp, Noll's or my favorite, Schecht. These three off the top of my head are what I think of when I think broiler suppliers, whereas I think of Meyer and McMurray more for layers and other breeds. I don't know if it's true that they all get their egg supplied from the same few places/genetics, but they seem to be pretty tops when it comes to thriving Cornish X.

 

[doubleatraining]

booker, he has raised batches of Cornish in the past but they have been from the local college research projects. LOL He is checking to see if we can get another batch from them.

In the mean time I will be calling Schelcht tomorrow to place an order for CornishX. Cross your fingers this batch goes better than the last few!!!

 

[mstricer]

I've been raising Meyer CX's for 2 years now and never had a problem. I was interested in knowing what you fed them, did you use supplements in water, what kind of bedding did you use? Just interested. I'm doing FR right now, but I got them somewhere else, due to they were ship only, which made me believe they were coming from where I got them anyways. I had Meyer broiler hen make it until they were laying eggs with no problem. I'm sorry to here about your loses, but its just weird you had 2 batches do the same thing.

 

[jessicayarno]

I personally would suggest going with the red broilers or freedom rangers.. I did the red broilers my last batch and didn't lose one bird.. I am doing cornish X this batch and have lost 2 so far and they are 2 1/2wks old.. I have to say that I was much happier with the red broilers and the fact that they are a much stronger bird and way better foragers.. I am going to try the red meat makers from Noll's Hatchery my next batch..They don't have a website but their # is 717-949-3560 they are really nice Amish people, I have spoken with them on the phone... Good luck and keep us posted..

 

[krcote]

Freedom Rangers are wonderful, give 'em a try!

 

[doubleatraining]

I fed the first batch plain water and a mixed mash that is about 16%. When they started doing bad I put them on Save-a-chick and that didn't help.

The second batch got Save-a-chick from the start and a 20% grower feed from the start.

Bedding was pine shavings in both batches.

I do plan on calling Noll before ordering from Schlecht tomorrow. I'm interested to discuss their different birds and see what might be the best choice for me. I still plan on using the hatchery to brood them to be safe. It only costs me a few of the birds.

Thanks for all the support, its good to know that this is a rare case.

 

[okie2]

Try this place I just ordered 50 RIR pullets they were at my post office the next day after hatched.
All doing well and fine plus for buying 50 they gave me 25 others of their choice free. Postage was $19.00.
The are hatching up until Dec. 28th 2011.
http://www.mthealthy.com/product/CR-P
And they have the cheapest price I could find on the net.