| BROODING AND FEEDING INSTRUCTION FOR CORNISH CROSS NOTE: Please read Before Chicks Arrive. AFTER CHICKS ARRIVE HEAT - Keep temperature at 89 - 91 F (31 - 33 C) at head level of the bird for the first week. Note: Temperatures above or below this range will adversely affect the growth and well being of the birds. - Reduce the temperature 5 F (3 C) per week until 70 F (21 C) is reached. - Infra-red heat lamps are recommended, plan on 3 heat lamps per 100 chicks. - Lamps should be set 18" (46cm) above the floor for the first week and raised approx 3" (7.5cm) each week until 70 F (21 C) is obtained. - Chicks need to be kept warm and away from drafts. If chicks become chilled for a long period of time, it could lead to problems such as stunted growth, respiratory problems (ascites) or death. Danger Signs to Recognize: - Loud chirping means discomfort (hunger, thirst, cold, fear). - Cold chicks will huddle - Chicks that are too hot will pant and be listless. Temperature Schedule WATER - Provide 2 - 1gal (4.5L) waterers for each 100 chicks. - Clean fresh water is of utmost importance. - Have waterers filled at room temperature when chicks arrive.. - Water is a vital nutrient and makes up 60 - 70% of the chicken and is present in all cells. - Water regulates the birds body temperature. - We recommend only water available to the chicks for the first 2 -3 hours before feeding. - Add Super Booster at 1 tsp p/gal. for the first 5 days to give them a healthy start. - If your water is hard we also recommend Medi-zone in the water. WATER INTAKE (PER 100 CORNISH CROSS PER/DAY) Age Weeks Litres Imperial Gallons 1 3.4 0.75 2 9.0 1.98 3 14.4 3.17 4 16.7 3.67 5 17.4 3.88 6 21.6 4.75 7 25.3 5.57 8 28.8 6.34 FEED - Cornish Cross chicks should be fed a 20% Fine Crumble Chick Starter for the first 3 weeks. NEVER dilute a starter with grains because the birds need all the vitamins and minerals provided in the starter. - Allow one inch of feeder space per bird. One 3' feeder can handle 75 chicks. Tip: Start chicks for the first 3 days by using a feeder tray or box lids that are approx 2' square with a 1" lip or use egg flats to put the feed in. This will be easier for the chicks to find and take to the food. - After 3 weeks of age use a 16% chick grower or a poultry supplement (35 - 38% mixed with grains). - Once the chicks have taken to feed and water (about 1 week) move the feeders and waterers apart from each other a bit at a time until they are at opposite ends of the brooding area. Mixing guidlines are as follows: - If using a poultry supplement (35 - 38%), mix 1 part supplement to 4 parts cracked or chopped grains. - Recommended grain mixture is 60% wheat, 25% oats, and 15% barley. - Always add a poultry supplement. Note: Grains alone lack severel essential nutrients needed for steady growth and to maintain healthy birds. - You may use straight grain chop 1 week prior to butchering. - If not using grains use a 16% chick grower. This can be fed straight through until butchering. Do not dilute 16% chick grower with grains as this is a complete ration. - Provide grit from 3 - 4 weeks on, as free choice. - A form of calcium such as limestone is recommended to strengthen bones and joints and reduce leg problems. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR FEEDING CORNISH CROSS - Let the chicks have full feed for the first 4 days and then start restricting their feed. - Allow approx 6 hours of feeding time in a 24 hour period, 3 hours in the Am, and 3 hours in the Pm. - Allow them access to the water at all times. DO NOT restrict water. - When the chicks are 1 week old move the feeders and waterers away from each other a bit at a time until thery are at least 5' - 6' apart. This will help keep the chicks active. - The Cornish Cross chicken will eat as long as the food is in front of it. By restricting the feeding time the bird will be more active and less prone to heart attacks and leg problems. -To help reduce these problems A RESTRICTED FEEDING PROGRAM SHOULD BE USED. GUIDLINES FOR WEIGHT AND FEED INTAKE FOR CORNISH CROSS Age (wks) Weekly feed (lb) Total feed (lb) Weight (lb) intake per/bird intake per bird per bird 1 .32 .32 .33 2 .67 .99 .87 3 1.25 2.24 1.73 4 1.89 4.13 2.85 5 2.12 6.25 4.10 6 2.95 9.20 5.33 7 2.74 11.94 6.44 8 2.19 14.13 7.39 9 3.01 17.14 8.16 Cutting corners in any poultry growing program does not save money. More often than not it cost you $$$$$$$.. LIGHTING -Chicks do not require a lot of light. If the light is too bright it can promote stress and lead to picking. - Have 24 hrs of dim light available for the first 4 - 5 days. - Cut back the time of dim light to 12 hours in a 24 hr period. - A straight 12 hours or intermittent time of dim light works fine as long as there is an equal 12 hrs of dim light and 12 hours of darkness. DAYS OLD LIGHT TEMPERATURE FEED 0-4 24 hours 90F / 33C (2' off floor) 20% chick starter (fine crumbs) 24 hours 4-21 24 hours from infared heat Reduce 5F /3C per week 20% chick starter up to 6 hours feeding in 24 hr lamp (you should just be able by raising heat lamp. period. (3hrs AM / 3hrs PM) to read a newspaper) *Increase NOTE: DO NOT RESTRICT WATER light slightly during feeding. 21-plus 16 hrs dim light if heat not 70F / 21C is a comfortable 16% grower ration( complete ration) or mix 35% required 4-8 hours darkness temp to maintain after 4 supplement 4 parts grain to 1 part supplement. each night. weeks of age. VENTILATION - Ventilation is important from the first day. It provides fresh air, it removes stale air, it controls temperature, it controls humidity, it removes dust, it regulates ammonia and carbon dioxide levels, as well as keeping the floor drier and the chicks healthier. . |
| DAYS (F) TEMP (C) 1 89-91 30-33 3 88-89 30-32 7 86-88 30-31 8-14 80-83 27-29 15-21 75-78 24-27 22-28 72-75 22-24 29-38 68-71 20-22 39-Up 65-68 19-20 |