Update on my Cornish X gals

[nicalandia]

hey don´t worry aslong as you keep them on a strict diet they will do just fine, I feed mine the layer feed only, from morning to mid day, after that they have to go and look for their own food.....think about it, if they HAD to die young.. how do the broiler industry ever breed broilers?.....

 

[raroo]

Quote:
Given that its summer they could very well be hot! They do get hot very easily, but you can try the aspirin anyway if you are concerned. If their sides are really heaving, or if they are panting in the evening when its not that hot, then it might be a good idea to try. When my birds were panting I put my ear to their backs and could hear their hearts just pounding away. Now when I listen all is normal.

What often happens is that their bodies grow too fast for their organs to keep up, and their hearts just aren't strong enough. So just a regular strength aspirin, cut it in half, per gallon of water. Or you can use two of those daily low dose ones per gallon, but the blue coating is hard to crush. I use a mini mortar and pestle.
You can find the keel bone by reaching under them from the front, just behind the breast. It'll feel like a ridge. You're birds look really healthy I bet you'll have no trouble finding it.

As far as their feed consumption, it does depend on how much exercise they get, and on the individual bird. My girls seem to maintain a healthy weight at 1 and 1/8 cup each. At only one cup each, they seemed to be lacking, at 1 1/4 cup each they started gaining weight. If your birds are in good shape with what they get now, continue that much. If they start gaining weight, reduce it a bit. They shouldn't lose weight too quickly, but gradually over a few weeks.
It sounds like you're birds are getting great exercise and a good diet. Meals throughout the day are good. I think they'll do great!

 

[lilmouthy]

I'll get some aspirin this weekend and give it a try.

I know one thing...If I had known that chickens would help this much in the horses pasture,I'd got them a long time ago. Every since we've gotten them,I've yet had to shovel horses poop. They go out there and scatter it all over the place,leaving nothing left to scoop! So,not only are they scattering the poop,but fertilizing the pasture as well! LOL

 

[raroo]

I read that horse poops are very healthy for chickens, too. Gives them all kinds of good minerals if they are range fed. No wonder your chickens look so good!