White Rock Meat birds

[CinderSmiling]

I am wanting to keep 10 of my white rock chicks, raise them and breed my own - but I know there is a problem with them getting too big, so I am wondering - first, is there anyone here who has successfully bred them, and also, at what age/weight/ did you change their feed? What feed did you change it to, or what did you feed them? any tips or tricks would be great!! had a hard time getting them this year, because apparently everyone decided chickens were in... Thanks !!

 

[Parront]

Do you mean Cornish x Rock broilers? There are Rocks that are the white color of barred rocks, which are large but not necessarily meat birds. Either one will need chick starter the first 4-6 weeks. The meat birds will be switched to a "grower/finisher" if you want, sometimes people just feed one feed the whole life of a broiler, which can be as short as 6 weeks. They are not easy to raise to breeding age. There are lots of conversations about this on the Meat Birds Etc forum.

 

[keesmom]

Yeah, we need clarification as to whether these are Plymouth White Rocks or Cornish X. Big difference in management.

If you wanted a more sustainable meat project it would be far easier to start with something like the Freedom Rangers or Kosher Kings. They do not have the health issues of the Cornish X. If you still want to try breeding the Cornish, know subsequent generations won't quite have the same size, growth rate or feed efficiency.

There are many threads in the Meat Bird forum from those who have tried breeding their own. Not many have reported on their results. There is a long thread from duluthralphie on his meat bird project that does involve using Cornish X. An interesting read that you should check out

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/toad-raising.1152440/

 

[CinderSmiling]

Thanks for the replies - clarification - they are white cornish X. I wouldn't usually mind just buying the chicks at a little over a dollar each, but this year EVERYONE ordered chicks here in Ontario, and now they are hard to get - thought if I could breed my own, problem solved...but at 3 weeks, they are all so fat already!!!

 

[Parront]

The times I raised them, I could not imagine raising them past 10-12 weeks. They were 10 lbs. dressed at that age and not walking very well.

 

[CinderSmiling]

So, here is my quick update. I am free ranging them with the layers, and the only feed they have is layer mash or regular chick mash. Nothing like the grower/finisher. The ones I keep will be kept with the layers and the others relocating (to the freezer) will get the grower finisher . So far, no issues with their legs, and while everyone is growing, and some quite plump, I have a few smaller ones that will probably be the breeders. I will update later when they are a bit older... but so far so good!!

 

[CinderSmiling]

So here we are...picked up the meat birds June 11 - and at this time, they are all healthy, free ranging, walking fine, still have a few smaller ones, and definitely can pick out the hens and roos. A few of the roos are trying to be fresh with the ladies, but so far, the ladies are a hard no!! and so far, it looks like everything is going well. We have another 50 meat birds coming in a week or so, and I think after the 2-3 week period, I will free range them as well...relocation to the freezer date is Oct 21, so hoping they will fatten up nicely without the issue of the legs breaking. We can choose our breeders early Oct, and use the finisher for the last week or so. In November, we are hoping to see the hens start laying, and then introduce the rooster... I am excited that everything has gone as well as it has!!!