Schlecht Hatchery Cornish X

[lsv313]

I just ordered 20 Cornish X chicks from Schlecht Hatchery, and I must say that I have been VERY impressed so far! First off, they told me the chicks would be here tomorrow, but they were on my doorstep today - a day ahead of schedule! Then, I ordered 20, and there were 27 in the box! One did not make it, and one's not looking so good, but still - I was very impressed that they included 7 extras! Also, they were very polite and helpful in my interactions with them. Plus, they had the best prices - 88 cents a chick! I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for cornish x.

 

[jemmasgrandma]

I read your post about Schlehct Hatchery...I just got 50 cornish X chicks this morning, all alive and seem to be doing great. I was wondering how yours turned out? how big did they get? any problems? We're feeding organic and I suppose it'll cost a fortune! We've never raised meat birds before but do have 14 hens for eggs, 7 are laying the others should start any time now== 5 Black Austrolorps, 2 Barnevelders, 1 Wellsummer, 1 Wyanndotte and some mixed ones

 

[lsv313]

So far so good... the one who didn't look so good is still hanging on, but can't walk, so I doubt it'll hang on much longer. I give it vitamin water, but it won't eat so it's not looking too good. The other 26 are doing great though - I am amazed at how much they drink! Last night there waterer was half full; this morning it was bone dry and when I filled it they came running and were pushing each other out of the way to drink - never seen anything like it! They do eat a lot too, although so far I can't tell if it's because they're cornish cross or just because there's so many of them! This is my first experience with meat birds, and my first experience with having so many chicks. I just started with a few egg chicks this spring - started with 4, then turned into 8 - none of whom are laying yet. Then I decided to do meat birds this fall. So everything chickens is still new to me! They were out of organic feed at the store, so I'm just starting with some of the non-medicated we had on hand, then buying organic on Tuesday when they get a new shipment. But at 4 days old they're doing great - hope yours continue to do well too!

 

[jemmasgrandma]

I ordered 75 and they sent 78. 26 went to a friend who ordered at the same time (we shared the shipping) so that left me with 52. They are 4 days old too so must have come from the same hatch as yours

it will be interesting to follow along with you on their progress. I am in Northern Indiana and my chicks were 2 days in shipment, this is our first time raising meat birds too so of course I'm a little nervous but so far so good. We have them set up in an old hog shed here on our farm, we converted part of the shed into a small coop for our layers (14) and are making a space for the Cornish X when we're ready to move them from the brooder tub. We started them on organic but will probably change to non GMO feed when they are off the starter. You're right about the water...they drink tons! I can't get their temp regulated because of the draftiness of the shed and also the drop in temps we've had here. They seem to be doing ok though, last night I woke up my alarm clock was blinking...the power had gone out but was back on, so I went out to check on the chicks and they were fine -whew! What state are you in?

 

[maggiemooscluckers]

Your meaties are so cute. I got mine from Welp Hatchery. They were hatched on the 25th so are now 1 1/2 weeks old. They grow and change so fast! I had 18 shipped and all are doing great. Only two had a slight case of pasty butt for about the first two days. They only lasted in the tub brooder for about 8 days. Now they have been transported into a larger cage type brooder. It's still too hot to put them outside. The small chick feeders and waterers didn't last very long either. Now I have them on nipple waterers and a wooden feeder that I made that will hold about 7-8 lbs of feed. Wing and tail feathers are making a definite statement and the digging and throwing of pine shavings has commenced! At this rate they won't be around long.

 

[jemmasgrandma]

oops...pasty butt, never thought to check for that. just turn em upsiode down and look?? -yea I figured those red little feeders wouldn't last long haha -will have to have my husband make the long wooden type so they all can eat at the same time!

 

[lsv313]

You have a very nice setup for your meaties - mine are in a cardboard box right now

How cute that our meaties are siblings from the same hatch! I live in WA state. I can't believe how fast they grow- it is amazing that they fit into an egg only 4 days ago! The one who can't move hasn't been eating, so it's not growing like the rest, and you can really see a size difference. I feel so bad for it - I keep giving it vitamin water, and I've tried forcing its beak open to shove food in, but the little guy does not want to eat! I don't know if I should just let nature take its course and stop watering it, but it's just so sad to see it lying there. I thought about culling it somehow, but don't know if I could bring myself to do it.

 

[OSUman]

I just have to say that Schlecht Hatchery is my favorite hatchery they have great customer service and they saved me from not being able to show in my fair. I asked them the day before their shipping day if they had any chicks and they said that they were sold out but they would call me if they had any extras and the next day they called me at 7 am saying they had extras and i got 15 and they sent 16 they arrived the next day which surprised me. I just want to say that I won best broiler cockerel, and at 8 weeks all of them dressed out at 4.5 or more.

 

[maggiemooscluckers]

I was in the process of cleaning the brooder today for my meaties (try to do it every other day). When I picked them up I couldn't believe how big they were. Still not quite two weeks old and totally fill my hand when I pick them up. I will be needing both hands by this time next week. They are still all very healthy and are beginning to spare at each other. In play I think but it's cute to watch. They also really like to perch by now. I am trying very hard not to pay too much attention to them since they will all be going to freezer camp.

 

[jemmasgrandma]

Wow...they seem to be twice the size since Friday, amazing that they can change overnight! I just cleaned their box and they all seem to be running around just fine. I did clean one pasty butt, but so far no fatalities! Cleaning out the shed today so we can fix a place for them when they get a little older, also gonna make an outside run for them to exercise

do they exercise? Everybody posts that they just lay around and eat!