Newbie with a question...Do I have Cornish X's or just BIG chickens?!

[iwhoswhat]

This is Hedwig....he weighs about 15lbs.



This is Cher.....she weighs about 12lbs

When I got them, they were SUPPOSED to be Leghorn pullets....I also got a speckled Sussex pullet that turned out to be a roo....that being said.....I love, love, love all three of them!

This is my first time posting...been a lurker for a while.....

And here is Paisley, my speckled Sussex, who feels light as a feather compared to the other two!!

 

[Griffinsong]

I would say that, yes, those are Cornish Cross, White rocks would not get that big and Jersey giants have a different leg color.
Definitely not leghorns XD but they look like they are doing okay and freeranging them is good. Are you restricting their feed to keep them from overeating?

 

[iwhoswhat]

Griffinsong,
Yuppers, watching what they eat......I ferment their food...feed them in the mornings, they free range through the day and I feed them just before putting them up at night. They are so funny to watch when they run!

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Welcome to BYC! I think you do indeed have white broilers.

Be very careful how much you feed them, and watch that they don't force the other birds away from the feed. Make sure they get lots of time free-ranging and moving about. Also make sure you don't clip their wings, as they need them to balance that huge body. But do be aware that no matter how carefully you watch them, they may die. These birds really aren't meant to live long lives, and even ones that have careful feed management may die of heart problems, or their lungs give out, or they get broken legs because they get too heavy for their bones. I would try to discourage them from perching high, since they can break legs when they jump down. They have real problems with heat in summer, and may die of that, also.

Sorry to be so discouraging, but raising broilers past 12 weeks is dicey at the best of times.

 

[BantamLover21]

They look like Cornish crosses to me.

 

[iwhoswhat]

Welcome to BYC! I think you do indeed have white broilers.

Be very careful how much you feed them, and watch that they don't force the other birds away from the feed. Make sure they get lots of time free-ranging and moving about. Also make sure you don't clip their wings, as they need them to balance that huge body. But do be aware that no matter how carefully you watch them, they may die. These birds really aren't meant to live long lives, and even ones that have careful feed management may die of heart problems, or their lungs give out, or they get broken legs because they get too heavy for their bones. I would try to discourage them from perching high, since they can break legs when they jump down. They have real problems with heat in summer, and may die of that, also.

Sorry to be so discouraging, but raising broilers past 12 weeks is dicey at the best of times.

12 weeks....eek...mine are 11 weeks and 3 days....I have been trying to mentally prepare myself for their early departure, but I just love them so much and I know that it's going to hurt when they die or I have to have them put down. A lot of people have told me to butcher them.....there is absolutely no way I could eat them....I'm just gonna let them live out their fat (all be it short) happy lives free of any worries of being eaten.

When I feed them (i ferment their food) I have 3 bowls that I set far enough apart so that they can all eat without one hogging all the food. They each get their fill and then they free range throughout the day and before they go into their coop for the night I feed them again. Hedwig and Cher won't even try to roost on anything high, I have a board in the bottom of their coop, just high enough that they can step up on it to roost. Their favorite spot to rest during the day is under the pine trees where it is cooler and if there is a puddle around, they will be in it, just lounging, takin' it easy.

Thank you for your reply!

 

[Basskids08]

This is my accidental Cornish x. It was supposed to be something else. Both in pic are 11 weeks old, got them at the same time!

 

[iwhoswhat]

This is my accidental Cornish x. It was supposed to be something else. Both in pic are 11 weeks old, got them at the same time!

This is what my Cher looks like! Is this a recent picture or are they older now?

I have been out on the porch watching mine and they stick together, if Hedwig gets a drink, Cher has to have a drink.....if Hedwig finds something to eat, Cher eats part of it, if Hedwig makes a comfy spot to lay down, Cher lays in that spot.....Hedwig is such a good roo, taking care of and looking out for Cher!