Red Laced Cornish X and project talk (pics p. 8)

[MrChicken207]

That is one way to cut your costs. Beg, borrow, buy, or steal a grinder, and then you could purchase whole grains, and grind them to the consistency that you need. If you buy a larger unit, you would probably break even with the first couple of tons that you grind, in comparison to buying it prepared, but if you buy a smaller unit, you might pay it off in savings with the first couple or three hundred pounds, depending on the costs of the whole grain and of the machine.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

I don't know they are REALLY expensive.

 

[MrChicken207]

I'm thinking of a hand crank number(I remember seeing a smaller one for about $150 in a catalog online somewhere in the past year or so), or you could ask a friend to borrow theirs.

 

[Wolfwoman]

Quote:
Please don't let me discourage you . I believe its possible to breed a CX body type chicken , though a bit slower to mature , and become more self-sufficient . There's just something that feels good with breeding your own strain and being independent of the retailers and conglomerates like Tyson [ who owns nearly , if not all , of the parent strains of the modern CX ] . I've got a big enough pen that its still growing grass but I could cut costs significently if I fenced an acre or two for ranging chickens behind an electricly charged fence [ though hawks might still be a problem ] ; and growing my own grain also would be a tremendous savings . However planting and harvesting by hand would be difficult with my physical problems . I pay $8.99 per 40 lb. bag of 17 % grower , and can boost that to whatever protein % I want with commercial cat or catfish food at a reasonable cost . I could probably beat that price if I had enough chickens to buy a custom ground mix . I'm thinking on checking about minimum order amounts and pricing because I can probably feed enough now to use it before it gets old .

You got it cheap then...lol I will probably still try and and see what happens, maybe next year. Right now I've got a few meaties growing up and if I find a few that seem like they're not having a lot of trouble, maybe keep them in with the rest and see how it goes.

 

[SteveH]

I've read a lot about the CX not having any normal chicken instincts . I have a buzzard doing a frequent and low fly-over above my pens . Its the largest CX cockeral that's always the first to sound the alarm and the other CX as well as other breeds all dash for cover . I've never known a buzzard to make a kill , but it appears this one is considering it .

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

yes, we have hawks, eagles and falcons over our lake which the CX pen is near. The big roo does sound the alarm, lol, but I've noticed it takes the fat girls a while to get up and go inside, especially if they are enjoying a good dust bath . . .

 

[eKo_birdies]

a good hawk dog is priceless when you have numerous free range chickens and lots of area to cover!

 

[laughaha]

Just got done reading this thread- man you guys and gals have some pretty birds!!!!! We will be ordering some cornishx's within the next week or so. We are thinking of a hundred as I want to try to replace all of the chicken we consume in a year (just two of us) and have enough extra to give to family. Does that number sound about right?

I was a bit disappointed to learn that the GORGEOUS RLW cornish's aren't really available as I would really prefer to keep and hatch out my own meatbirds. Where would be the best place to order RLW cornish's from (for breeding to the giant CCX's) to try and get the RLW pattern and the size and quick growth of the ccx?

My 80 or so current chickens freerange and have 5 LGG's (livestock guardian geese) and I cannot recommend them highly enough!!!! Almost nothing to feed and heaven help anything that messes with THEIR chickens.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

If you are getting CX's for the first time I would recomend starting with 25. Caring for them is VERY different than caring for free ranging layers.
Most of the Hatcheries sell the red laced cornish, I think steve says on here somewhere where he got his . . . although it sounds as though he might have an extra roo . . . ask

Good luck with your project and keep us updated!

 

[laughaha]

We raised 25 last year, and it went VERY well. Once they got outside, we kept the food and water about 30ft from each other so they got alot of exercise and would actually run around a bit. Surprisingly they even foraged a little bit although I think it was just copying the other chickens (had a broody accept them till they got bigger than her). They grew a bit slower than other peoples probably did, but still so fast that their feathers never completely covered their bodies. If I remember correctly, we lost one early on. These are the sweetest birds ever and I would love to keep some around permanently, especially if I can find good RLW's.

Hey Steve...................Do you live anywhere near northern PA and have an extra RLW roo ya wanna get rid of????????
Darn it, Illinois