Ugly meaties!

[PotterWatch]

While my cornish go through an ugly stage just like all chickens, they aren't that way for long. I think they are actually rather pretty. Mine aren't really dirty either since they are on grass and get moved to fresh grass every day. They stay pretty clean. I can't deny that they are pretty lazy. The colored broilers I have had were mean and didn't make nearly as nice a table bird as the cornish. I was glad to be rid of them, especially the nasty roos.

 

[Poultry Enthusiast]

Quote:
I have to disagree a bit about the Freedom Rangers. They grow more slowly than most Cornish X, but that depends a lot on feed. I fed mine pretty high protein feed, and a couple developed leg problems--worse than my Cornish X on a lower protein feed the year before. And Freedom Rangers are hybrids from a big genetics company, just like Cornish X.

They both grow fast and are efficient, but neither are the kind of birds I (personally) like to raise.

 

[Saltysteele]

there are a couple threads in here about freedom rangers.

basically, they don't grow quite as quickly as the cornish X's, but they are a LOT more active, can walk and live a LOT longer than cornish X's.

they don't have nearly the amount of problems as the CX's

i've seen year old roosters that looked like they were capable of going another 3 years. standing tall, walking around with no tendency to sit down as soon as they are where they want to be. they will just stand, move to another spot and stand, etc. as opposed to the CX's, who will waddle to the food, sit down until they are thirsty, then waddle to the water (if they don't have a heart attack while doing so), sit until they want food again

 

[HLAC]

I'm knocking on wood.. but I don't have the leg problems or other problems people complain about with meaties. (I feed 21% protein) They feather in just enough that I don't think they are particularly ugly and they only get dirty if left on dirty bedding/ground. I like raising mine with 'regular' chicks (red sex-links). The little pullets seem to motivate the cornishX to move around too. My cornishx even try to fly up and roost on stuff. (with minimal luck... but they get an 'A' for effort) They are very friendly -because they associate me with food and water- but I'm pretty sure that's the only reason my laying hens like me too.

My current batch will be seven weeks tomorrow. They are pretty slow right about now.. but that will just make it that much easier to catch them for butchering.

Here's two (of eight) that I processed on Sunday. I think they don't look too bad.

Looking even better.

 

[CANDLE98]

oh no i think your 7 week old are cute! They look like heathy lovely chickens! I can't imagine mine looking like that now they are 4 weeks and are still needing some more feathers!

 

[kemclaughlin]

Yay!! Someone else from Mountain Home!!!

Quote:
Hey sweet a fellow idahoian! I agree my meaties are filthy!

 

[PineappleMama]

Ugly I think would make it easier on me when processing time came. Thus far the only thing I've dressed is a fish.

 

[DixieChickie]

MIne hit that pink stage, but passed through it quickly. I thought they were pretty birds, they had a couple of EEs the same age in with them...and they did move around trying to keep up with them.

This post has pics of my CornishXs at @ 7 wks of age.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=487271

 

[blueskylen]

i must be in the minority that thinks that they are actually so ugly that they are cute! i like the pink skin peeking thru, as long as it is pink and not pooh covered. it is so hard to keep them from laying right were other ones just poohed. i have noticed that sometimes they head right for the new bedding tho, so maybe they don't especially like to be dirty either. they do pooh a tremendous amount, but the bedding has been used for mulch in the garden and flower beds, and added to the compost pile.
when they do finally feather out, they sure are a majestic looking bird with those massive legs, white feathers, and blood red combs.

i have a couple of them that will jump up on the hay bale border when i come in and want me to scratch their necks - the others just run for the feeders. my regular hens won't let me touch them, and they are all 5 years old this year and been pampered little princesses all their lives.

i tried adding a run to their coop last year, and only had about 5 that actually took the effort to walk down the ramp to lay in the sun each day, so this year i didn't bother to set it up. i had felt bad that they were in the coop and the eggers were out running around, but not now.

all in all, i find them to be pretty easy to raise and definitely tasty!

 

[LarryPQ]

Well-- we processed my cutie-patootie meaties last week.

Look how BEAUTIFUL they are!