Thank you for posting the pictures and the very detailed information. I found it very helpful.
Jo

I will be researching information on different websites and post links to each of these. Also, will be adding different recipes on the vitamin/mineral cocktails that I use. As I find good products that will enhance the survivability rates of the Cornish X I'll add this information.

One product I've found that all my research is indicating is a good product for all chicks bought, hatched by your own stock hens or incubators. It is called Gro-Gel Plus-B and sold by McMurray for just under 4 dollars. It is designed to attract the newly hatched chicks by its' color and stimulate them to eat sooner filling them with many good things. It will hydrate and and is fortified with all sorts of Proteins and Amino Acids, Carbohydrates and Fats, Vitamins, and Pro-biotic Bacteria. This will get any chicks off to a strong start.

I will have a page showing Hewetta getting dressed for Thanksgiving Dinner. Most will find this interesting.

"Carbohydrates feed muscles only. Think of muscles as the engine of the body and carbohydrates are the fuel that make the engine to run properly."

That is not true, Carbohydrates do not build muscle, (well a little bit, some amino acids are synthesized from carbohydrates to an extent) but that doesn't mean that all they do is feed muscle. Perhaps thats just me nitpicking as a biologist.

With a PhD in biochemistry and many lesser degrees in related fields, it is my understanding that proteins are the building blocks of muscle.

On an all carbohydrate diet no muscle is gained in any human or animal study, but muscle losses have been recorded in study after study.

On an all protein diet muscle gains have been recorded in study after study, especially when linked with an exercise program!

Here are a few links:
http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=10490&page=589
http://www.drdaveanddee.com/musclegain.html
http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?isbn=0309048923
http://gallus.tamu.edu/Extension%20publications/L-5159.PDF
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PS033
http://www.ansci.umn.edu/poultry/resources/nutrition.htm
http://www.msstate.edu/dept/poultry/nutritn.htm
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/poultry/facts/introduction.htm

We're located over 6,000 ft elevation and this was the first year we tried raising the Cornish X. We were told of the dangers of their rapid growth at this altitude and we let them rest at night and run around on the ground for exercise. We lost some to broken legs and heart attacks, but many survived.
We ate one for Thanksgiving and she was the size of a small turkey. Altho tasty, I was surprised at the large amount of fatty deposits. We are feeding them a mixture of laying feed and cracked corn. Is there something better to feed them (that we can afford) that will reduce the large amount of fat or is this just natural for the breed? Thanks for any help/ideals.

You would have a higher rate of success with at least a 23% protein broiler ration coupled with water soluble vitamins mixed at 2 X the recommended rate in all drinking water. You would have lower fat content and and fewer heart and leg problems. The new broiler rations have a higher amounts of 80 minerals and vitamins and are formulated for the Cornish X (industry standard).

See if your feed supplier can get you Co-Q 10 enzyme additive that you can add to the ration at the rate of 5mg per 1 pound of ration. This will prevent heart related deaths and lessen tissue break downs (on breast bone and bottom of feet).

We started butchering and have very little internal fat deposits-most fat deposits were around the vent and crop areas.

Total weight for the 52 butchered so far is 367 pounds (just over 7 pounds fully dressed and skinned each). We had many live weights at over 12 pounds but average was just under 10 pounds.

My nitpick was not that muscles could be built on carbohydrates (which is clearly false), but rather that carbohydrates are used for a whole lot more than just feeding muscle.

My intent is not to explain the intricate interactions of carbohydrates and proteins; books have been written solely on this subject; but to give an understandable explanation of the necessity of a balanced diet and it's impact on the health of Cornish X.

Thanks seramas: Hadn't heard of the broiler ration, but will check with the feed store about it and the CoQ10. I guess our chickens were "morbidly obese", weighing 15 to 20 pounds each. At least we will know what to do with the next brood.

So where does the protein content come from in these rations?

brendan_of_bonsai,

Buy a bag of Dumor feeds at any Tractor Supply and with your expertise you can probably figure that one out for yourself.

No tractor supply near by.

I was just curious is all.

Seramuas: thanks for sharing your info.

How much exercise is enjoyed by your Cornish X? I progressively raised the waterers and feeders so that the birds could NOT lay down while consuming. All rushed the chopped piles of greens.

Still had vent fat at 5-6 weeks...but we occasionally enjoy that in pie crusts!

In processing the CX, am still surprised at the small gizzards compared to body size. In the past the 10#+ CX also had small gizzards.

Blueberrier1;

I do the same with the waterers and feeders for that reason and to keep them from #2ing in them. The feeders and waterers are on opposite ends of the pens (45 feet) plus there are objects in the way so they have to go around them to get to either. Mine love sprouts (oat-rye-wheat and radish) that are grown for them and like yours they rushed for them-they can get there before they hit the ground.

Just finished butchering the last of 89 CX, we skinned them instead of plucking. My wife doesn't like the skin and takes it off when she cooks them, so skinning saves a lot of work. They were 8 week old and no one was crippled or had heart problems. They have rather large hearts and liver but like you said they have small gizzards. Total dressed weight was 703 pounds, an average of 7 pounds 14 ounces each.

Did you take the page down. I couldn't get it and I would love to see it. We are thinking about getting some in the spring and would like to know what to expect from them.

Please don't let unnecessary criticism and nickpicking ruin a good thing! I would like to see it.