okay, I ordered 10 CornishX chicks

[wjallen05]

I placed an order of chicks from Ideal to ship in two weeks, and I included 10 CornishXRock chicks. Is it okay to keep them with the other chicks or should they have their own brooder (I'm thinking so) since they grow so fast. Also do they need special feed or care? Also I got straight run... should I learn to caponize the boys?
TIA!

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Yes I would separate them if I was you and your going to be pleased with how they turn out.

No need to caponize the Cornish x's they grow real big and tender all on their own... Good luck keep us posted.

 

[CARS]

I have kept them mixed for a couple weeks with no problems. Once they learn that their only purpose is to eat they hogged the feeder and had to be separated.

The only reason why I did it was because I had a small order and I felt that setting up two brooders was just a waste of time.

 

[wjallen05]

Eh, you know what, that means I'll need two lights running. Maybe I should cancel the meat birds and wait until warmer weather?

 

[Buster52]

Quote:
That would be my plan. I'm waiting until late February before I order mine, maybe later, for them to come in March. You are probably warmer down there in Georgia.

Chicks are springtime critters.

 

[wjallen05]

Chicks are springtime critters.

Yes, but here it is usually in the 50s during the day, and sometimes the 60s. I figure by Feb it'll be warm enough during the day- but it does get very cold at night (30s) so they need a light then and the idea of running two heat bulbs doesn't sound appealing to me. I ordered for mid-Jan because I just set some eggs in the bator yesterday so I'll (hopefully) be having some chicks at that time anyway.

I want to order some ducks in the spring anyway so maybe I'll wait till then and order them at the same time...​

 

[NancyP]

Can you set the brooders close together so they can share the heat? The meaties won't need it as long as the other chicks anyway.
I would go for it.