Overweight roo!

[thechickgal]

I recently got 2 cornish cross( roo and hen) and a welsummer hen. The rooster is it least 20 lbs. He gets out of breath sometimes and can barely run. He’s very sweet and so is the hen. They’re just so big! Does anyone have any advice on how to help bring their weight down. I was told they were free range. They will stay free range, I’m going to try to limit their food.

 

[Mrs. K]

I have raised these birds, and I don't think they are a year old. They look younger to me.

But I have also butchered these birds, and they are NOT FAT, they are a lot of muscle, that is why people like to raise them, they out produce all other birds for meat.

So if you starve them down, you will be breaking down their muscle, not necessarily getting rid of fat. They will never be trim, sleek and fast moving birds.

Sometimes the nicest people get involved with chickens, and sometimes I think they are too nice for chickens. I know you want to provide a good life for them, but you really cannot change their genetics, or their lifespan by feeding them differently. And making and keeping them hungry even with the best of intentions, is just that.

Mrs K

 

[Shadrach]

I have to agree with Mrs. K.
In the most brutal terms you can't consider Cornish Cross to be chickens.
They are essentially live meat waiting to die.
Some do have a lovely disposition which makes what has happened to them through breeding even more tragic imo.

 

[CindyinSD]

The Cornish Cross are indeed very sweet birds. They don’t tend to live long, though. They’re hybrids intended to grow out for the freezer. Typically they would be butchered at around 8 wks. They’re fat because they were bred to be fat, quick. You’re fighting a losing battle if you’re hoping to get them trimmed down.

If you want to keep them as pets you’ll have to severely limit their food. Offer food in the evening for around 15 minutes. I would go with an all flock variety of food. I don’t mean to discourage you, but you should be aware that with them a year old, and as fat as you describe them, they aren’t likely to live very much longer. They just aren’t bred for longevity.

You may be able to breed the female (with a different rooster) if she’s laying eggs, but the CX male will be too heavy and clumsy to mount the hen in order to breed.

I’m not trying to tell you they won’t make good pets. As you said, they’re super nice birds. Just understand, these aren’t going to be around for very long, whatever you do. You can give them a good life for however long they have left, and that’s worth a lot.

 

[tripletfeb]

How old are they? Cornish crosses are meat birds and bred to get big quick. They usually have very short life spans and will over eat if food is available. I'm not trying to be a downer but it doesn't look good for them if they are already that big. Hopefully someone else has better advice but I suggest you research cornish cross chickens. It's crazy how big they can get in a short amount of time. Good luck with them!

 

[LikeTurkeys]

How old is he? Cornish cross are normally butchered between 7 and 10 weeks old, if they go any older they often have health issues.

 

[thechickgal]

The Cornish Cross are indeed very sweet birds. They don’t tend to live long, though. They’re hybrids intended to grow out for the freezer. Typically they would be butchered at around 8 wks. They’re fat because they were bred to be fat, quick. You’re fighting a losing battle if you’re hoping to get them trimmed down.

If you want to keep them as pets you’ll have to severely limit their food. Offer food in the evening for around 15 minutes. I would go with an all flock variety of food. I don’t mean to discourage you, but you should be aware that with them a year old, and as fat as you describe them, they aren’t likely to live very much longer. They just aren’t bred for longevity.

You may be able to breed the female (with a different rooster) if she’s laying eggs, but the CX male will be too heavy and clumsy to mount the hen in order to breed.

I’m not trying to tell you they won’t make good pets. As you said, they’re super nice birds. Just understand, these aren’t going to be around for very long, whatever you do. You can give them a good life for however long they have left, and that’s worth a lot.

Yeah, they’re very sweet birds. I hope they have a good amount of time left, but sadly like you said the breed they are makes it harder. I’m planning to let them live out whatever life they have left, while trying to make sure it’s a great life.

 

[LikeTurkeys]

Okay, I cannot think of anything to reduce their current weight except what you are doing already, limiting feed and plenty of exercise. Personally, I would not keep them as pets because they've been bred for meat, and you may run into other issues as they get older. Cornish cross grow so quickly that their muscles often outgrow their internal organs, causing them to die young. Yours seem to be doing pretty well, considering that they're already a year old, so good luck!

 

[aart]

Would love to see a few good side views of these birds, please.

 

[Mrs. K]

I did harvest mine at the recommended 8 weeks, very little fat. I fed morning and night, but not 24 hour feed. Mine were mostly confined in a coop run with adequate space, as I did not want to feed the wildlife. I wonder if you harvested a little earlier, if you would not have been happier with the results - no judgement either.

I have done surplus roosters, and old hens, but truthfully, I think their meat works much better in casseroles and soups, not frying or broiling. But that is just what my family likes.

As to the OP - she is welcome to do what she wants with her birds, I just don't think that she can out maneuver genetics with her feed or any feed plan.