Why didn't anyone warn me about the meat bird smell?

[Oregon Blues]

Since every third person who says the words Cornish Cross mentions the volume of the poop and the smell, I think that the issue wasn't that you weren't told. I suspect the issue is that you didn't pay attention.

In my opinion, brooders are going to stink (at least in the final week) no matter how clean you are or what type of bird you are raising. Once the birds are outside, they shouldn't smell, as long as they aren't standing in their own poop. Keep them dry and clean and they don't stink. That also applies to Cornish Cross.

 

[TDM]

Quote:
I processed a dozen true free range Cornish Cross from a beef farmer the other day. They were over twelve weeks old, and must have been 10 pounds carcass weight. He said they spent their time sifting through the manure out on pasture searching for seeds, etc. All he fed them was 200 pounds of corn.

These birds were in great shape. The group managed to escape from their holding pen, and I spent close to an hour chasing them down with a large net. These birds could run!

 

[al6517]

Quote:
LOL yes paying attention should be the first sentance in that little Cornish X instruction booklet the hatcheries include with your order. Keeping them clean with plenty of space and a good chicken keeper eliminates the smell.