OMG. My cornish X are getting huge. Pic.

[Mac in Wisco]

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That's probably him. Great guy. He had just retired from the Air Force about the time that I was a young airman 22 years ago.

 

[Oregon Blues]

The birds look lovely and well-raised.

 

[PikeCo]

Thank you. They were five weeks old yesterday. We do the best we know how to. I think we have gotten pretty good at raising them. I am no expert, but we have only lost one out of the past four years. I am just a poor judge when it comes to deciding which ones to show. I need to improve my skills at judging them, but don't know where to start. I know they have to be uniform, but I am not a good breast judge. I know it would be hard for someone to help me online without seeing the birds, but any info is welcomed. Again, thanks for the nice comments.

It is so hot and humid here in Ohio. I ave a fan on them 24/7. It was 89 degrees at 2:00 in the morning last night. They have panted all week, but they keep eating and growing. I was scared to change their bedding today out of fear that I would get them too worked up.

 

[PikeCo]

Five weeks and three days. I can't believe how fast they grow. I marvel at them every year.

 

[itsy]

Do you also get to eat the ones that make it to show when the show is over? I didn't know what 4-H was until a few years ago. Wish I knew about it when I was a kid!

 

[Tracydr]

Which hatchery do you buy from? Do you use medicated or non-medicated feed?

 

[PikeCo]

Itsy, we do eat the ones that don't go to the show, but the ones that sell at the show are bought in bulk and paid back to the buyer. The kids say it is the best chicken they have ever had.
Tracydr, we only use feed that is medicated with Amprolium because it prevents Coccidiosis and requires no withdrawal time. We have good luck with it. Our 4 H program requires everyone to get them from the same hatchery. We all have to pick them up at a scheduled time and they punch the thin skin between toes differently for each child in the family. I am not sure which hatchery they use, but I like it because it levels the playing field. My buddy just got 25 from Murray McMurray though and they look to be as nice as ours, and healthy. He lost one in shipping out of 25. They sent an extra anyway, so he didn't mind. He also got an exotic chick free with his order.

 

[Tracydr]

They look great! I had some problems with slipped tendons this summer with my Mcmurray's chickens. I'm trying to decide where to get my fall batch from.

 

[Bluff Country Chicken]

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I've gotten birds from McMurray's and haven't had any problems. However, Meyer's in Ohio seems to have substantially better prices on broilers...if.they are the same, that is.

 

[remadl700]

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That is amazing! Where are you getting your chicks from? I have been raising the Cornish x for years and have never gotten them that big that quick!

I make my own feed for them now after performing a test group of 50 chicks several years ago on Purina chick starter/grower and my mix which is a wheat base with flax seed protein add with other minerals added. At 8 weeks the overall growth rate and weight difference of .35 lbs lower average on my mix. With my price of food at half the cost of store bought I will live with it and I know exactly what food goes into my chickens. My customers love this also. Free range and unprocessed food.