Question on Cornish

[aclee]

I have a couple questions on Cornish (or Cornish X) which I'm hoping to start with this year. I found a small hutch that was built for chickens, but it has legs, so it is off the ground. Would this work for the Cornish for the entire 8 weeks if I built a ramp like thing? Will that be the primary place they stay in (I know they don't move around too much)...I plan to put the hutch on the side of the yard that is fenced for the kids (the other half is fenced for the dogs)...Are they so messy that the kids won't be able to play on that side of the yard? I'm just wondering how messy these birds are...if they will need a whole separate area or what...

I"m planning to start them in the garage when they are little, but I know they need some type of pasture time when they get older. If I put them out each day into the front yard, would they wander away or would they stay in the front yard and then come back into the garage area at night?

Just trying to work out their actual set up and needs in my head.

Thanks

 

[Bossroo]

It all depends on how much and how often you enjoy cleaning doo doo off the bottom of your shoes ! Not a good idea to let chicks loose onto your front lawn as they will be instant snacks for your or your neighbor's dogs or cats, hawks, etc..

 

[cassie]

I keep mine in a 12 x 12 box stall bedded with shavings. I raise 25 at a time, but there is room for 50 in there. I don't range mine outside at all.

 

[aclee]

So if I had a 5 X 4 box, and wanted to raise 12 would that be enough room? That is the "final" box, I'm planning to use a rubbermaid (or 30 gallon fish tank, I have both) when they first come home...

Do you clean daily with the 12 X 12 box? I'm planning on daily, but if you say less that might make me a little happier

I'm hoping to keep them inside for the first week or so, then in the garage (I have a "superyard"...made for kids, should be great for chickens) for a few weeks, and then outside in the hutch, maybe with some time in the playyard "superyard"....can they fly? Would I need to net the top of the play yard? I'm thinking they get too big to fly at some point, just wondering when.

Also, does anyone know if the light on from the fish tank top, would keep the chicks warm enough if the tank was inside anyway? I guess I should set it up and just check the temperature...

 

[KatieH]

My cornish roasters are almost 2 weeks old and they are MESSY FILTHY THINGS!

We had 15 in rabbit cage for the initial brooding, and it got filthy within hours of cleaning it. They eat and poop and that's pretty much it. I moved them today, I'm not sure what the dimensions are, but it's a huge cardboard crate/box that fruit is shipped in. It works great. They got lots of room now! I'll try to remember to measure it when I get home to give you the dimensions.

Definitely don't let chicks run loose out front! Even if they would come back, like a pp said, they'd be an instant target for predators. And have basically no way of defending themselves. My friend's mom (who's "the chicken lady" around here, lol) has had owls and hawks manage to grab onto chicks that were inside cages outside and tear them apart.

 

[aclee]

OKay, got ya. To get them a little forage time would it be OK to let them scoot around in the play yard thing during the day if I stayed there? The enclosure would be about 5 or 6 panels which are each about 4 feet long...either a square or a hexagon or something

I could also split the chicks at first between several large rubbermaids if needed, or I have one of the LONG rubbermaids that is short when they first come.

What is the best choice for bedding? Is it best to do one layer and clean it every day, or do a couple layers and remove a little everyday?

Any other advice? I'm thinking about doing about 15 now...the processor I am planning to use charges $4 for 12 birds or less, and 2.75 for 13 birds and up. I want to make sure I have more than 13 birds in case some don't make it...

Where did you order from?

Thanks!

 

[cassie]

I clean the box stall when the meaties go to freezer camp. Not before. I just add shavings as needed.