Why arent they big enough yet

[what did I do]

I don't think its a Cornish x either. The legs are to skinny, the neck is at to long, the stance is wrong to be a Cornish x. The one that tipped over onto his back could have been a Cornish.x.

 

[Appylover]

Either way once they are finally big enough they are lunch unless they start laying eggs. I have two RIR roosters one I think will be traded off for an aggressive rooster who will be lunch the other well we will see. My RIR's are the pets of the flock running up to greet you and even on occasion jumping up on your arm or shoulder for a walk around the yard. I have a total of 4 confirmed roos in my little flock and only the most gentle of the batch is staying. The others will be processed. One little guy who is about a month old is so aggressive now that you can't stick your hand in the brooder to feed them. He is destined to become a butcher bird.

 

[wsmoak]

I have been free feeding them scratch and scraps although I have read and really think maybe the scratch is the wrong thing to be feeding them..

Usually meat birds get a pretty high protein feed, (20% or more,) and chick starter is even higher than that. The low level of protein in their diet is most likely the reason for the slow growth.

Considering how old these are I'm not sure you can do much at this point, but gradually introducing some higher protein feed until you're ready to process them certainly won't hurt.

-Wendy

 

[Buster52]

I bought two 12 week old CXs on craigslist, expecting to see some monsters. They were puny birds like yours. I'm guessing they had a similar feeding schedule to yours.

I stuck them in with my oldest batch of meaties who were much younger but a similar size feeding them my 22% ration, then switched them to my finishing ration. They put on decent enough weight I processed them this last weekend.

So, all is not lost. They are still young birds able to grow well if fed right. If they don't, then you know you didn't get CX, entirely possible at a feed store.

 

[myhubbycallsmechickeemama]

CX do not need a high protein to grow. My birds I had last year had chick starter for 4 weeks and then I finished them on an 18% broiler ration. We ended up not being able to butcher until 10 weeks and all of our birds dressed out between 7 and 10 pounds. I think your CX are really leghorns.

 

[Buster52]

18% is plenty high for a grow out ration, and chick starter is fairly high. Some pros feed 19% start to finish.

 

[myhubbycallsmechickeemama]

18% is plenty high for a grow out ration, and chick starter is fairly high. Some pros feed 19% start to finish.

I'm pretty sure that my Nutrena chick starter was 18% also but I honestly can't remember. :/

My CX chicks are 5 weeks right now and they have a bigger breast than the bird in the picture so I'm pretty sure it's not a CX.

 

[what did I do]

I have a California White that isn't feathering out well.

i bet yours starts layingnice big eggs.

no matter what the bird is you can eat it

 

[wsmoak]

CX do not need a high protein to grow. My birds I had last year had chick starter for 4 weeks and then I finished them on an 18% broiler ration.

Yes, but she's not feeding them chick starter, she's feeding them scratch grains and kitchen scraps.

Sounds like the consensus is that it's not really a CX in the picture, so there's another reason it isn't growing into an enormous bowling ball chicken!

-Wendy

 

[wingstone]

The white bird on the left in this picture is 7wks bought as cornishx at feed store, the production red behind it is 13 wks, about the same size...This particular bird has been moved out of the meatie pen and put in with my layers because of the size difference......and I have my doubts of it being a cornishx, but since I have no idea of the genetics that make up the cornishx I shall wait and see.