They just ain't right...

[minihorse927]

If they were purchased the second week of May they are most likely not nearly 3 months old - *most* chicks sell out from retail stores within the first 1-2 weeks of their arrival (stores will often reduce the price on birds after the first week to move them out and make room for new chicks and because they aren't really set up to brood them long-term).  Do you have any photos of them when you first purchased them?  Seeing them as they were will help to gauge their approximate age at purchase and their age now (I would put them at 8 weeks at the most, but leaning closer to 6 from the looks of them).  Cornish Cross are genearlly processed between 8-10 weeks of age due to their rapid growth and development.

Also, sidenote, the Ameraucana you were sold is actually an Easter Egger - same general idea, but the difference is Ameraucana are a pure breed and Easter Eggers are mixed breed birds that have blue egg laying parentage (Ameraucana, Araucana, Legbar, etc) - these are often misrepresented by hatcheries as being Ameraucana or Araucana.  Personally, I prefer the EE, as they tend to be more productive layers than either of the breeds they are sold as being and they come in a wider variety of colors and patterns.

i agree with everything said here. Your birds are cornish rock X. They are bred to be rapid growth meat birds. I raised our last batch to 16 weeks before butcher. They weighed anywhere from 10lbs (had cross beak) to 18 pounds. Most being 15 to 18 pound birds. Most people butcher between 8 and 12 weeks but they can be raised to a little older if you watch how big they are getting and watch for leg problems. Ours made 16 weeks cause they were free ranged a lot and were made to search for some of their food which helped to keep them mobile. I would age those birds around 6 weeks by the looks of them.

 

[jcintennessee]

Thank you, everyone. I obviously had no idea. My husband went to the store this morning and was told they were selling the Cornish X. When I buy birds again I will go to a recommended seller. I'm in Clarksville TN if anyone can recommend.
Since we are only allowed 6 hens in city limits and we have eight birds this will work out well for us.
I will definitely watch them for signs of pain so they do not suffer from their weight.
The two Guinness I have I am concerned about them flying. They are quite agile and active. I am counting on them returning to roost at night. Is this reasonable?
As an owner and responsible for the care of these animals I am ashamed that I did not research this properly. I truly appreciate everyone's assistance.

 

[donrae]

Don't be ashamed, this happens way more often than you'd think. Feed stores sell white chicks, and honestly leghorns and Cornish cross look pretty much the same at hatch, especially if you're untrained. It's the massive growth rate that gives things away, and we get lots of folks on this board with the same questions and concerns. They look like they've been well cared for, and are prime butchering age right now. Two birds is a good number to start with, and you'll have two fantastic dinners for your effort!

 

[jcintennessee]

Here's the rest of the chicks. Only sure of the easteregger. Would love to know what the rest are.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Don't be ashamed, this happens way more often than you'd think. Feed stores sell white chicks, and honestly leghorns and Cornish cross look pretty much the same at hatch, especially if you're untrained. It's the massive growth rate that gives things away, and we get lots of folks on this board with the same questions and concerns. They look like they've been well cared for, and are prime butchering age right now. Two birds is a good number to start with, and you'll have two fantastic dinners for your effort!

X 2 on all counts!

 

[tash]

Here's the rest of the chicks. Only sure of the easteregger. Would love to know what the rest are...

I would say the white is a leghorn. Better pics would help with the ids of the others.

I get my chicks from Meyer. I live close enough to pickup, but they will ship as few as 3. The website is easy to order too. The only time you will get a mystery or random chick is if you order one.

 

[ChickyKitty85]

If you got yours from the Rural King in Clarksville, I got mine the same place and i'm pretty sure most of mine are going to turn out to be roosters. I actually almost bought some of those same ones you have, glad I didn't or I would have ended up with a completely useless flock. I think i'm going to agree with you though, next time I buy i'm going straight through a hatchery, after the publicity this Rural King got this year I don't think I would want to get any more chicks there anyway.