Raising Cornish Crosses For Meat!

[9SpiceyChickens]

One of the guys on here only feeds his Cornish-X once, in the evening, to keep their weight down. They free-range all day pretty well. Does not sound like you have that much space. Also, raise up the feeders so they have to stand up and streach to get to the food. They like to just sit by a feeder and eat, not even standing up.

It's raised so they have to stretch for it.

Popeyes, is with the others all day except for at feeding time. The feed and water are on opposite sides of the coop so they have to move to get it.

 

[Parront]

It's raised so they have to stretch for it.

Popeyes, is with the others all day except for at feeding time. The feed and water are on opposite sides of the coop so they have to move to get it.

Sounds good to me! Some strains of meat birds are just ready in 6 weeks, and it is not easy to change their schedule! Looks like you might be taking that big guy for early morning walks!

 

[9SpiceyChickens]

Sounds good to me! Some strains of meat birds are just ready in 6 weeks, and it is not easy to change their schedule! Looks like you might be taking that big guy for early morning walks!

Haha, maybe!

 

[jolenesdad]

What feed are they on? Specifically, can you look at the tag and tell us what the protein content is?

It is going to be very hard to keep him from gaining more than a half pound over the next ten days...

 

[Parront]

What feed are they on? Specifically, can you look at the tag and tell us what the protein content is?

It is going to be very hard to keep him from gaining more than a half pound over the next ten days...

x'2!

 

[9SpiceyChickens]

What feed are they on? Specifically, can you look at the tag and tell us what the protein content is?

It is going to be very hard to keep him from gaining more than a half pound over the next ten days...

They are on a mix of layer and meat feed. (To cut down on the protein).

 

[jolenesdad]

They are on a mix of layer and meat feed. (To cut down on the protein).

What are the protein percentages on both?

You’re going to need to cut down below what the layer feed is....

 

[jolenesdad]

What are the protein percentages on both?

You’re going to need to cut down below what the layer feed is....

I would personally try and get to 14 percent maximum?

I would cut the meat bird feed entirely. The layer feed has calcium but it’s probably okay for the few days you have left. If you can find a starter that is lower protein than your meat bird feed use that instead of the layer.

Then, purchase a bag of ROLLED OATS from your feed store and go to this link.

Protein calculator

You enter the amounts of your feed.

You put the size of the bag of your chicken food plus it’s protein percentage. Then, you enter the goal percentage (14) as well as the protein that is in the rolled oats. (Probably 9 to 11). The calculator will tell you how many pounds of rolled oats to add to your feed to achieve the desired protein level.

 

[9SpiceyChickens]

Update!

Weighed the chickens today, Popeyes is now either 5IB's 4oz'svor 5IB 8oz's. We might have gotten them mixed up. But in any case, we are getting so close but so far!

 

[Newyorkrita]

And that is why one needs extra birds to raise. Just in case because things don't always (or even usually) go as planned.