Raising Winter Birds

[clyde]

Is it reasonable to brood some cornish cross or dark cornish and grow them out in december-january in central illinois? Have a heated garage and brooder, and an unheated barn for their coop.

 

[protodon]

If you have the equipment to keep them warm and don't mind doing it, I don't see why not. Some people don't raise in the winter because they like the break. I don't raise birds in the winter because of water freezing, both in the waterers and my entire outdoor spigot. So getting water to outdoor animals becomes difficult.

 

[jaku]

Yeah, I like the break! It is tougher in the winter, for the reasons already mentioned. That, and raising them in a stationary coop/stall is stinkier and more work than in a tractor, which is impossible in the snow. If you're willing to do it, it should work out fine. Just remember that although they hate hot weather, they still need heat, so you'll have to keep heat lamps on them for the entire 8 weeks. They'd probably make it without supplemental heat, but I don't think they'd perform as well.