Ok let's see I'm going to answer by number so I don't miss anything.
1. They are a mix between a white cornish and a white Plymouth rock. They are often called cornish crosses or cornish rocks.
2. People very rarely raise them up to the point of breeding. Some have and the cross doesn't breed true. The best birds are the first generation hybrid.
3. They start laying at about 4-5 months. Problem is most are the size to butcher between 6-8 weeks and will get big enough to start having heart failure by 12 weeks.
4. The main difference in raising them is taking their feed away at night and making sure they have good solid ground to grow on. They have the same sized legs but bigger bodies compared to "layers".
5. Well how I slow them down is by raising them with my layers to increase their activity. Others may have other ideas.
Marla
Wow, I had no idea! Thanks for explaining. What causes them to grow so
fast?
If they grow so quickly, and die so easily, how are they bred? Do they
mature/start laying earlier or still at the same rate as laying birds? Is
meat breeding stock raised differently than those that will be butchered?
What other steps do you take to slow down their growth?
Interesting!
Jean :~)
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
No comments:
Post a Comment