Cornish Cross and Weight Gain Concerns

[mrs_organized_chaos]

how feathered out are they? you are in much better shape than had you started too early in the spring since as the cold is setting in, they are feathering out and maturing. what kind of waterer are you using? open waterers and CX don't mix, they really need nipple waterers, IMHO, to keep the microbes in check. if their gut gets out of whack, it adds to their stress factors. It may be time to switch focus with the feed from protein to more fat, it's a balancing act and an art. such a high protein mix tends to cause loose poops and a wasting and thirsting syndrome which tends to make everything wet because they gorge on water to make up for the loss. mix that with cold and that could cause real issues, they need to stay dry, if they are dry, they can handle cold. at this point they are probably spending most of their time sitting so keep raising the food and water to encourage them to get up off the cold ground. I'd put down straw or something to get them off the cold ground so they can rest and warm up. they are hot birds, able to chow down food and crank out heat as long as they are dry and otherwise healthy and feathered out. I would worry that adding a heat lamp this late in the game could actually stress them, they are way past the time of usually needing one and are very prone to over heating. if their feathers are too matted with dirt and can't get loft and things are really getting tedious, it may be time to harvest early and have a bunch of game hens in freezer camp.

Other than seeming on the small side, they look really good. Plenty of feathers and everyone is up and moving around. We have a hanging feeder and they don’t seem to lay down to eat, unless you count those who get into the feeder to beat the others to the food. They also like to take flight when they coming running out of the tractor during feedings and when we move the tractor around. They love scratching through any new grass.

 

[Birdinhand]

so is the worry more about the freezing temps than any sign that they are suffering, because if they are doing well with the temps then perhaps all they need is some corn to supplement their calorie intake?

 

[mrs_organized_chaos]

so is the worry more about the freezing temps than any sign that they are suffering, because if they are doing well with the temps then perhaps all they need is some corn to supplement their calorie intake?

Yes, my worry is more the temps affecting their calories. There does not seem to be any suffering. I do put shavings down for them to sleep in at night and they sleep in a pile. They are up and moving in the morning and not huddled together like they are miserable.

 

[wyoDreamer]

I have 5 week old cornish cross in my barn right now... their tractor isn't ready yet
I have given them grit and am starting to add cracked corn and oats to their feed so they can fatten up a little bit before butcher in 2 weeks. I like to have a layer of yellow fat on my birds when I butcher - it is 100% pure flavor. They are loving the treats, and it has been said on this forum many times that corn is a HOT food, meaning that when they digest it, they have more body heat so it keeps them warm.

I thought mine seemed a little small and was starting to worry, until I picked one up. They have compact feathering, so they may look smaller than they really are.

Weigh them to see where they are at. You may be surprised at their size right now.

 

[mrs_organized_chaos]

I keep forgetting to snap pictures (or take my phone with me to do so) when I am out taking care of the chickens, but I did manage to grab a male and a female to weight this afternoon. The female was a little over 4 lbs and the male was 5 lbs 7 oz. Not as bad as I thought but would still like to get a little more weight on them before processing. We did get a bag of corn to mix with their feed to help with the calories. Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I told my husband I wasn’t going to stress about it anymore. We are raising chickens for meat so we know they are healthy birds and get a decent albeit short life. We have achieved that thus far so if they are smaller than planned its time the end of the world.

 

[mixedbreeds]

This is about the time I started cracked corn also at about 7 weeks. I think you will be pleased in 2 weeks with what you have. You could put a regular light on them so they can eat a little longer I was feeding mine 12 hours on and 12 off in the spring.

 

[mrs_organized_chaos]

I remembered to snap pics. They were not thrilled I wasnt there with food. Lol

 

[mixedbreeds]

Well they look great just need to grow a little more. I grew mine for 12 weeks had them inside with lights so I could feed the 12 hour period, at the end of 12 weeks they were 9 to 12 pounds live weight and delicious. The two weeks of a couple hands full maybe a little more of cracked corn really gave them that nice layer of yellow fat I raised 30 of them lost one early on. Good luck looks like you are doing a great job.