need info about meat birds

[HenniePennie]

Help! I need some advice about my cornish cross. I have 21 meat birds & this is my third year of raising them. The past two years I have kept them in the chicken coop & not let them outside. Coop is 6' x 7'. I also use same coop for my turkeys. There is a little door to an outside fenced in area that is about 6' x 10'. My son, who got me raising the meat birds told me not to let them outside as they burn up too many calories & that means they won't be a big. I decided to let them go outside in the 'play yard'. What do you do? Am I silly to let them outside or not? Is it best to keep them in a small area only? When outside they are eating grass & bugs & I still make sure they have plenty of commercial feed & water.

 

[MissPrissy]

I think it is less commercial and more natural to allow them some freedom. I let mine out on the grass to eat and play. It is good for them. Fresh air, sunshine, bugs and grass - very normal and grows a fine bird.

 

[greyfields]

Quote:
what she said

 

[jaku]

If they're anything like mine, you won't have to worry about them burning up many calories. Mine have plenty of room to move around, but are always either at the feeder or laying down.

 

[HenniePennie]

Thanks to all of you. My son [age 26] still seems to think he knows more than mom! I will continue to let the cornish cross enjoy the sunshine [what little we have in Portland!} and enjoy all the bugs they can eat. I have finally named all of them, chicken soup/chicken fricassi/chicken salad/etc,etc.

Bette

 

[Redfeathers]

Mine are outside with an enclosure to go under when it rains. This is Oregon after all. lol. They love it outside, I make a fresh pile of shavings and they hurry over and dust bathe as soon as they see me with the shavings bucket it's a free for all. They spend the rest of the day laying down in the sun and enjoying themselves. A much better life then inside all day.