What is wrong with My Cornish Cross?

[barnardflock]

Hello,
We are new to meat birds, and we bought 45 Cornish cross 5 weeks ago for our first experience. (mistake#1)
We have only had one loss up to this point (at one week). They have all seemed very healthy and we have been giving them extra b12 to help with the usual leg problems they encounter. We have been having them outside during the day, following the whole "Chicken Tractor) idea and they have been doing well. The temperature has dropped here in Indiana the past few days, to about 40*f but we didn't think that would bother them. (mistake#2) After being outside for about 3 hrs and doing fine, we found one that was dead and another who looked to be on his way as well. We have taken the one inside and he is doing well for the most part except for the fact that he won't stand up. Does anyone have any tips? This is our first time with the meat birds but we have been doing layers for awhile now, so any advice would be appreciated.

 

[mak1]

You should start butchering. 35-40 days you should butcher all. They get so fat there legs wont hold them. If you dont butcher by 40 days you will have lots of fat.

 

[keesmom]

Start butchering the largest ones now, beginning with the one with leg issues. They are reaching that age where they can drop dead suddenly.

 

[barnardflock]

Thank you! We are new to this site so didn't know when to expect an answer. Some of them are still pretty small, but we will start butchering soon.
Thanks again!

 

[barnardflock]

What are the best more natural meat breeds?

 

[keesmom]

Recently I have raised Freedom Rangers. They reach a good size quickly, but the growth is not as rapid as the Cornish X. They tend to not have the same leg and heart issues. Since they live longer before butchering (12-16 weeks) they have more flavor. They could even live a normal chicken life if given the opportunity.

 

[VTChickenQueen]

It's true that they will drop dead if you let them go to long but by twist of luck I found out a few things about meaties.

If you feed them around the clock, keep them locked up in a small chicken tractor and don't encourage normalish chicken behavior they will drop dead starting at five to six weeks due to heart attacks from their fast growth rate. Both their legs and their hearts can't keep up with that much weight gain. It does make growing them fast and are cheaper in the end but not as big as you can get. Youll have several drop dead in one day.

If you feed them limited rations, let them go long periods of time without food (plenty of water of course) and let them have plenty of exercise (try free ranging them) they will grow much more slowly but have better leg and heart quality to match their rate of growth. Still, you'll have an occasional death but slow down their growth rate and let their hearts grow to keep up. My birds are eight months old and I have had one leg problem and two heart issues but I raised between 20 and 23 chickens. Not bad for birds that were suppose to be killed between 6 to 8 weeks. One rooster is nearly 18 pounds but it took him 8 solid months of slow growth to get that size but he is gorgeous!

Also the hatchery you order your chicks from can make a world of difference. I've heard bad things about murray mcmurray from my neighbors and have never used them. I used purely poultry and I love them.

 

[rainbowrooster]

One rooster is nearly 18 pounds but it took him 8 solid months of slow growth to get that size but he is gorgeous!

That is huge. Do you plan on eating him?

 

[VTChickenQueen]

You bet we are. As a matter of fact he has a final date with the hatchet this weekend. He tries to mate with my hens and he has killed three of them. In my freezer he goes.

 

[mrsdelore]

I only have 6 and they have been outside for two weeks now without a heat lamp - and it's currently snowing here in upstate NY! UGH! What they do have is a large dog crate with pine shavings and a thick layer of hay on the bottom. The outside of the crate is boxed in with insulation panels except for the door. The top of their 6x6 run is covered with a tarp that can be folded back on the sunny/nice days, but gives them protection on these crappy days. At night, the crate door gets shut and if need be, I drape a heavy folded sheet across the top two thirds of the door to help hold in the heat and keep out any drafts. In spite of the colder turn in the weather, they still seem healthy and happy out there. When it's colder, they snuggle up together in the crate.

Maybe some sort of wind/weather protection on your run would help your birds until the weather warms up again?