Toad Raising.

[Bigshooter]

I'm sure it's in here somewhere but how old were your CX when they started laying?

 

[Molpet]

I'm sure it's in here somewhere but how old were your CX when they started laying?

mine was almost 6 months.. I got then March 31st and the one I held back started laying the end of Sept

 

[duluthralphie]

I have never had them lay the same year they hatch. They seem to be all spring layers the first year.

 

[Molpet]

mine died before she started laying in the spring.. she died at almost 1 yr old
good thing I had 4 hatched that fall

 

[kittycat1356]

Wow, I love these chickens. I’m not a meat eater but I think they are pretty awesome for people who enjoy hobby bird keeping like myself. I always wanted a big meat bird just to exist in my flock lol.
(And of course great for those who eat the birds! At least they don’t kill themselves on feed and can walk!)

 

[duluthralphie]

I have at least one toad egg developing in the incubator.

I have to make some changes in my bird living arrangements. I appear to have a turkey hen that likes eating toad eggs.

 

[Molpet]

so I tripped over these, big sur, anyone try them?
.. they sound sorta like toads
" The Big Sur chicken is a cross between a Cornish Cross male and red colored female. Big Sur chicks grow out to 5.5-6.0 pounds in 10 weeks. While still considered a slow growing chicken, the Big Sur will fill out more quickly than the Rolin S.
Big Sur broilers will produce the large breast that consumers expect, and grow more slowly than conventional Cornish Cross. These chickens can be raised outside on pasture, in a controlled climate housing, or a combination of both. These birds grow to be about 90% white feathered with some red feathers. A higher yield of breast meat and better feed conversion makes this bird ideal for those of you trying to split the difference between a fast growing Cornish Cross and slow growing red broiler. "

http://www.metzerfarms.com/BigSurCh...32648&BirdType=Chicken&Breed=Big Sur#MoreInfo

 

[Geena]

so I tripped over these, big sur, anyone try them?
.. they sound sorta like toads
" The Big Sur chicken is a cross between a Cornish Cross male and red colored female. Big Sur chicks grow out to 5.5-6.0 pounds in 10 weeks. While still considered a slow growing chicken, the Big Sur will fill out more quickly than the Rolin S.
Big Sur broilers will produce the large breast that consumers expect, and grow more slowly than conventional Cornish Cross. These chickens can be raised outside on pasture, in a controlled climate housing, or a combination of both. These birds grow to be about 90% white feathered with some red feathers. A higher yield of breast meat and better feed conversion makes this bird ideal for those of you trying to split the difference between a fast growing Cornish Cross and slow growing red broiler. "

http://www.metzerfarms.com/BigSurChickens.cfm?affiliate=undef&ID=BIG&CustID=20132648&BirdType=Chicken&Breed=Big Sur#MoreInfo

I saw they have something similar available here as well.
https://www.moyerschicks.com/product/robust-white-day-old-chicks/

 

[Molpet]

I saw they have something similar available here as well.
https://www.moyerschicks.com/product/robust-white-day-old-chicks/

they are closer to me too.. thanks

 

[duluthralphie]

Toad update..

The crappiest hatching season in my life continues. I have two toad eggs in the hatcher. Neither appears to be going to hatch.

I have yet to hatch a toad this year. I might have hit a dead end. I do not think the others with toads around me are doing much better.

Also I noticed a disturbing trend last night. I have this guy he is a inside the barn free ranger. He was too mean to the younger roosters so he went inside with three girls for the winter. Then I have the younger guys outside. He is 50% larger than the yearlings. This worries me that I might be losing size in future generations. My goal was a large sustainable bird.

They are still large but not the super large a Bert should be. If the buckeyes take size from the toads also I could be back to just a normal dual purpose breed. I do not want that!.......

His pictures:

As you can see he is taller than a 6 gallon bucket and he is larger around than a 6 gallon bucket. He would not fit in it.

I think the younger ones would fit with ease..Disappointing.