Okay.. My Cornish X are 10 weeks tomorrow.

[SouthernChicka8]

I like my meat birds more than my layers. I call them my little fatties. They don't forage as well as my DPs, but they do okay. I don't like any of them well enough to bat an eye butchering them, though.

The other day my favorite rooster happened to wander into the processing area, so I snatched him up and popped him in a cone. My wife looked at me, shocked.

"Why did you do that??"

"We are out of stew birds and he just volunteered his services."

LOL good one!

 

[angelbabyamy]

I raised and butchered my first Cornish X several weeks ago. They were probably 12 weeks at butcher time and huge! They were nice, sweet birds that would come up to me to be petted. It was kind of hard to kill them, but I was tired of feeding them! They weren't leaving the chicken house much at the end. They were free ranging at about 4 weeks.

I bought 12 more and was lucky enough to have a broody BLRW raise them until they were 4 weeks. She was finished with them at that age, lol! These birds are nothing like the first ones I had. They are STUPID and lazy! They have their own coop and will rarely come out to free range, they just want to lay around and eat, drink and poop. I forced them out this morning (they are almost 6 weeks) and when I went to check on everyone this afternoon and gather eggs, they were just laying around under their coop. ( We are not having any hot weather- we're lucky if it gets to be 75) They are also too stupid to go back in at night and I have to pick them up and put them back in! They are also smaller than the first ones I had and I know they eat more. I bought my first 4 from Coastal Farm Supply and my current batch from a local feed store.

 

[jrsckn]

I have one pullet who cracks me up every time I check on them. If I put my hand in with them, she'll hop/fly with her feet up and challenge my hand until she's within an inch of it then she'll stop and look for treats lol. I'm still trying to figure out how to sneak a small one into the coop with the other girls in a few weeks without DH noticing it. Think a white CX could pass for a buff orp?

I'd love to use my barred rock cockerel with her and see what kind of meat chicks we'd get.

This heat has been really tough on them. We don't usually get such hot weather consistently up here, I feel so bad for them.

 

[bruceh]

i did the same with my cornish x. i raised to almost 14 weeks. i think you can judge slaughter time by how they stop moving. mine just sat there and ate like crazy and drank a ton the last 2 weeks.. i also noticed fat starting to accumulate on them at butcher. in my opinion any where between 10-12 weeks is good. you can't beat their personalities. i don't name mine, so i don't become attached. i just feed and water. i manage my flock by sight, by spending time with them.
how was your wights at 12 weeks . mine averaged 10 lbs fully dressed.

 

[KeilFamilyFarm]

Tomorrow is the big day... Well technically today. Its midnight here in Washington and I am not looking forward to this one bit! I just need to get it over with I suppose :/ I didnt name mine and Ive been raising market animals my whole life but I love the personality of the Cornish X more then expected!!!

 

[mstricer]

i did the same with my cornish x. i raised to almost 14  weeks. i think you can judge slaughter time by how they stop moving. mine just sat there and ate like crazy and drank a ton the last 2 weeks.. i also noticed fat starting to accumulate on them at butcher. in my opinion any where between 10-12 weeks is good. you can't beat their personalities. i don't name mine, so i don't become attached. i just feed and water. i manage my flock by sight, by spending time with them.
how was your wights at 12 weeks . mine averaged 10 lbs fully dressed.

CXs are best processed at 6 to 8 weeks. Our processor will charge extra after that. Even for freedom rangers. It is easier to remove the feathers if done by 7 weeks.

 

[KeilFamilyFarm]

Not everyone wants to bucther at 6-8 weeks. I for one raised my birds to live longer lifes. They free ranged all day everyday and only recieved breakfast & dinner daily. It was fermented food and I loved them! No stink, No lazy and No outragious feed bills! I also had no problem plucking them today.

 

[SIMZ]

How did it go today for you?

 

[KeilFamilyFarm]

Well we processed 8 birds and I balled my eyes out 8 times lol. But other then that it went great! I have grown up butchering (my uncle owns one of the most popular meat markets in Western Washington plus I grew up in 4-H and FFA) But I always cry whenever something has to die.. Once they are dead, Then they are food and I can do whatever LOL. The carcuses are in the Fridge and I have stick on the stove! Ready to order 50 more chicks and so ready to cook one! Maybe Tuesday for dinner or Wednesday. I want to let it rest!

 

[SIMZ]

I'm glad to hear you made it through! I can relate to what you're saying, too! Enjoy your yummy chicken!