really, really basic newbie questions!

[kattwoman]

My husband and I decided to raise chickens for eggs. Over the winter he built a nice chicken coop and chicken run for them, but has since been gone to Iraq. I ordered some chickens and 9 chicks were included for warmth. (One has since died, leaving me with 8). They were so cute that I just kept them and started to raise them with my pullets. It wasn't long though before I noticed differences, and after lurking on these boards for a while I know that popcorn stuffers are usually meat type birds, and these seemed to be fitting the description. They started growing faster and were much messier than the pullets.

Anyway, with my husband gone I had no desire to grow meat birds. But they were so little and cute when I got them...

I got them June 18. I was feeding them regular chick starter for the first 3-4 weeks, but the local feed store has stopped carrying it for the season, and I've just been using regular all purpose chicken feed. I've built them a simple outdoor tractor so they have more room to roam around (4ftx8ft) and they seem to be liking it.

They're 5 weeks old now. If I switched to broilder feed now, is it too late to have nice tasting chickens? Even if I only make chicken noodle soup or something, I figure it's better than wasting them.

And I'm sorry, I know this is a very basic question, but how old do they HAVE to be to butcher? I've been telling my husband that they have to be 2 months old, which is what I thought I've read. Is that correct? Or since they haven't been getting broilder feed, can they live a few weeks longer without any adverse health effects (or effect the quality of meat). The reason I ask is my dh is coming home for two weeks Oct 1st, and if I can wait that long he could help out with the butchering, otherwise I'm going to have to find someone to process them for me. (I'm not going to butcher chickens the first time by myself.

I don't think these are cornish x. I think they're regular cornish birds. Not that I'm an expert or anything.

We are planning on raising meat birds, just not quite yet so I am rather unprepared. Thanks for any suggestions you all might have!

 

[saddina]

Photos of the birds would be handy.

Some people have managed to keep cornish crosses alive longer.

What you may want to do is play the "girl card", ask at your feed store if they can suggest someone who's willing to come out and teach you how to process your surprize meaties. Or put a flyer on thier buliten board, asking for a tutor.

The meat should be fine, but if all you've had before now is grocery chickens, you'll want to brine them.

 

[scooter147]

If they are doing fine on what your feeding them I see no reason to change especially if they are not cornish x.
If using them for chicken soup, dumplings, salad or pot pies waiting until Oct will be just fine as the cooking process can be long and slow to tenerize them, although they will still be quite young at that age but for the above mentioned purpose age doesn't really matter. although, older laying hens have great layer of fat and make excellent stewing chickens.

 

[kattwoman]

I'm trying to post pictures of them, I hope I'm getting this right. Thanks!

 

[scooter147]

NIce looking birds!!! They couldn't look healthier or happier!!

Honestly I don't know what those are, they don't have the feet to be a cornish cross.
They could be a white rock but I have only raised white rock hens.
Whatever they are they look great and living 'till Oct I don't believe will be a problem. They will provide you and your family some great healthy meat.

 

[weaveagarden]

With those big combs, could they be leghorns? I am not an expert at all, especially with leghorns, but they look like the male version of the white all purpose layers on Murray McMurray Hatchery site to me.

I love the idea of asking for help to butcher, myself. Maybe your could offer a couple of birds and a loaf of homemade bread as compensation for their time. You may also make a new chicken buddy to use as a future resourse for problems you might encounter with your laying hens.

Then you could just enjoy your husband and cook him lots of chicken dinners when he gets home.

 

[scooter147]

No, weaver, at only 5 weeks they are too big and "broad" to be leghorns, the feet are to big also.

 

[weaveagarden]

Yes, I see what you mean. Thanks for the education. I feel like I have learned so much on here, but I had no idea there was so much TO learn. Like many other things in my life. Seems so simple until you are smack in the middle of it.

Raising chickens, like raising kids is for the most part forgiving. The good news is you can learn as you go along, and it is likely you won't mess them up too much.

 

[jaku]

Definitely not Cornish X's, I would have guessed leghorns too.

 

[skeeter03]

no Idea but if they be meaties - you can give them at least till 12 weeks before you have to butcher them up - and yep I would see if you can find a chicken buddy to help you out (try freecycle for your area) I met a few chicken friends here through asking for stuff on there.