Got our first set of broiler chicks!

[PrincessFerf]

We've raised layers for a few years now and finally jumped into the broiler pool!

I picked up 10 Cornish X's from a local hatchery and have them all settled into the brooder.

Since its warmer this time of year and broilers grow faster, how soon do you move those into the "big bird" coop?

[CarolynRenee]

I would think it depends on what your nighttime temps are, and how long it takes you to reduce the supplemental heat (if any) for the birds.

Also, I would make sure that they are big enough to NOT get through any fencing you have.

We got our cornish x's "late" this year, around the first week of May. Normally we do it in the early spring or fall because it's just too darn hot now (been close to 100 past week).

We kept our broilers in a shed for the first two-three weeks (longer if in the early spring or fall, depends on the temps), then into a chicken tractor with chicken wire for three weeks, then into a chain link dog kennel until they are ready to butcher.

We don't let our layers & broilers "mingle". The cornish x's are just way too messy.

[PrincessFerf]

Our layers and broilers will be separated in the "big bird" coop. (we have floor to ceiling hardware cloth "walls" that separate the sections when needed) Once in there, they can't get to the other side.

Our nighttime temps this week have been in the 70's. Its safe to say that regular nighttime temps in our area right now will average between 65 and 70.

Do broilers feather out faster than layers? Or is it just that they put on the meat faster?

[mygoat]

They get big, quick. They feather fast too. But I'd still say not to put them out earlier than 4 weeks.

We just got our broilers for the year, too. Enjoy them while they're cute and small... LOL.

[Our Little Farm]

See, that is where we differ LOL, everyone has a different opinion. Mine go out at about a week, as soon as they are well feathered and temps are ok.

Never had one die, but then, I dont raise cornish x but have raised freedom rangers.

Good luck!

[mygoat]

I've never seen a 'well feathered' chick at a week of age - of any breed. At that age, all the books say they should be down from 95* to 90* - and most places don't have nighttime temps that high. I personally don't adhere strictly to brooder temperatures (never had a thermometer in a brooder yet) but especially here in MI, I'd never dream of putting them out that soon. Here it's been in the high 80's pretty regularly, too.

[Our Little Farm]

I Do have a heat lamp in my coop, but they still run all over the place and don't stay under it much apart from the evenings when the temps drop.

[PrincessFerf]

I keep the heat lamp in the corner of the brooder, and the chicks determine how warm/cool they need to be. The first day most of them were directly under the lamp. This morning they were a bit more scattered.

We're having family out this weekend (all from the city) and I know the chicks will be a popular thing for the kids. I'm glad they're small right now... and only the adults will understand that these are for eating, not for pets.

[bja105]

Mine go out at 2 or 3 weeks, depending on the weather and my readiness. My first batch of the spring went out at two weeks, didn't need any heat in the pasture pen, but I did tarp it a few cool nights at first. The second batch didn't get out until 3 weeks, since their pen wasn't ready. That second batch will be processed next weekend.