You might look into AI with your hen. I used AI to settle my smaller or more fussy hens to my 14 pound Roo. I had very good success. Not saying it's easier, but the results were worth the extra effort. I'm looking to get back into Dark Cornish. If you are looking to place(sell) your LF dark...
I used Dark Cornish over limit feed raised Cornish Cross females.
This last pic of the four is my chicks raised to two to three pounds at 3 1/2 weeks. It was a very successful crossbreeding program. The matured carcasses are 8 weeks, 10 weeks.
I used a limit feeding program to raise my cornish...
I use a sharp pipe cutter tool. I cut from the back to the front so the spinal cord is cut first. I do this with turkeys as well. It works well taking off the legs and wing tips as I also skin my birds for speed processing. It takes me 3-5 mins to skin a bird.
Don't forget to brine. Brined birds are moist and have time to relax. I skin mine. It takes me 3-5 mins/bird. FIY- I sold out my stock. I am no longer breeding. I had Dark Cornish I crossed with Cornish X the result colors were everything from Spangled, to Blue, to Red laced white. I loved my birds.
I have kept both. Hens may have a harder time throwing eggs with extra fat/heat. Males tend to over heat during late summer breeding. I keep several roosters . If you end the best one you will never know. Some may die early, some may never be interested in breeding-just eating. I have Dark...
What are your goals? Are you raising for meat, may keeping some back for out cross? Meat type birds need good feed and a good feeding program. Tractor Supply has some good products as far as feed goes, but I have never raised one of their chicks.
I raise my own.
They do live if you feed them correctly. On a limit feed system. Betty came from Murray McMurray on 2/6/2015. She is 3 years old and I have retired her from my breeding program. She has produced over 200 chicks for me. She is now living a life of leisure.
Her kids, grand kids, great-great grand...
Anybody on BYC live in Georgia?
I'm gonna make a list of Georgians below! Let's get the LONGEST list possible! Each name counts one point, and mods or staff are worth 5 points!
Georgians' names collected so far:
1. SeramaSweetie
2. Pumpkinpup
3. porteryork
4. rooster-red
5. jonbanks
6...
http://www.lowndescounty.com/345/Pets-Available-for-Adoption
I take most of the pictures of our PETS for adoption at the Lowndes County, Ga. Animal Shelter. Animals are hard to get still. Cats are easier to catch still for a picture.