Tastes like Chicken

Well we decided to try and raise our own meat chickens this year. For our first batch of 8 chickens we decided to go with Cornish cross mixed run. So far out of all the chicks we have gotten they are nice and fat and pretty hardy little guys.

We chose this breed due to the high number for chicks that can be found and they were very reasonably priced. They get up to butcher weight fast an average of 10-11 weeks so with ours already at 1 week of age we only have 9-10 weeks to raise them. They will stay in doors under a heat lamp until they have fully feathered out then will be moved to our chicken/ rabbit tractor. They will be free fed until 5 weeks of age then we will feed during the day and pull food at night to lessen the risk of sudden death, FLIP, or leg deformities. Do to the breeding of these chickens if free fed they will eat until their hearts explode or until their legs can no longer bare the weight of their bodies. The chicken tractor will help with that as it will keep them some what active.

Cornish cross chicks

Cornish cross adult

We are hoping that within 10 weeks they will be up to 5-6 lbs when butchered. We add camelina meal and black oil sunflower seeds to up protein and fat content of our chickens. They also get free choice grit and a mixed seed scratch as a treat each morning. Occasionally they get a few meal worms as well and some veggie scraps. The water that we give our meat birds has an added probiotic and electrolyte mix.

We believe with having the last few weeks is very beneficial for our chickens happiness. Although they will be going into our freezer they are still live breathing animals in the mean time. We respect and love all of our animals. I love that we are able to process our own chickens and no longer rely on store bought meat that is raised in a very questionable unfit environment. We also maek sure that they only have the best of feed and cleanest of areas.