Update on Tyson the chicken

Hello Everyone...

Whew, we've been busy. Just to let y'all know, THANKS to your helpful advice Tyson is not only alive but THRIVING!!! She has quite a personality. She now walks normally...for a chicken anyway and she even RUNS! She especially runs to food bowls and I mean ANY food bowl. She challenges every animal on the farm except the horses. Give her time.

We just finished construction on her new quarters; a chicken tractor. It still needs some final touches & I'll send pics when it's presentable for company to see. But, Tyson spent her first night outside in it last night & this morning she was clucking cheerfully when I left for work.

Here's a pic of her with her rescuer, Andre the Giant. She is shamefully rude to him. She eats his dry food. When he barks at her she stands right there & just ruffles her wings in response. He will likely want to take her back where he found her soon! LOL

Oh not to be left out, here is a pic of the chicken we inherited with the farm. How she has survived for 3-4 years without the protection of a chicken coop I don't know. She is one tough lady.

We had to build a coop for Tyson (the new kid on the block) partly because Road Runner attacked her TWICE. I believe Road Runner may have some fighting chicken breeding in her background.

Here is Road Runner!

Your white chicken is a "dead ringer" for a CornishX. That breed is known to have an EXTREMELY short life span. They generally pass away due to heart failure or have to be put down due to joint failure in less than a year due to circumstances beyond any kind hearted souls ability to prevent. Weight gain is the usual suspect. They fill out to as much as 15 lbs in 12 months and their legs usually collapse before that time. The other chicken is as you wrote a Pit Game hen. I have many next door (42 or so). The hens are usually quite friendly but the roos have insatiable appetites when it comes to fighting. Your hen is a bit darker than I see usually but everything else is APA Standard.

Great pics.. The roo is too cool and the dog is so sweet to save
the little one can't wait to see more pics..
Tracey

Thanks Tracey! But, that roo is actually a hen that thinks she's a roo. Andre is a big, sweet guy. When he barks it sounds like thunder but it doesn't faze Tyson one bit!

Photographer, Gosh I hope your wrong about Tyson being a CornishX. She escaped from a commercial barn down the road from us & the Great Pyrenees brought her home for dinner. I don't know if this pic is what he had in mind but that's how it's all turned out. Would a large commercial operation be raising CornishX's?

As for the dark red hen, she is a VERY friendly lady to all except Tyson. I don't think she likes sharing her queendom.

Photographer. You are exactly right. I "googled" images of CornishX hens and there was my Tyson. Plus they are THE breed for commercial purposes. Makes me so sad for her.

My husband won't be happy either since he just spent many hours on her new digs. But, thank you for letting me know.

Margie

Just time to buy more chicks, then your hubby can fall in love all over again...if thats allowed.....

Question, because she is a bird that people raise to eat does that mean she cannot be a "regular" chicken? Is thier life span shorter or something??

never mind just read all of Photographers post :O Poor thing

I've said this before, but hey.

My next door neighbor has three cornish xs from about 12 still alive, 15 months after they were born. ( They were originally from a flock of 50, but she couldn't let her daddy kill them all, plus it made her a vegetarian, lol) they are ENORMOUS now and very lazy and totally not able to walk about. the rest died off from extreme obesity. Due to their breeding, they get very big ( the three she has are all 22+ lbs) and fat. They are WAAAAAY bigger and fatter than a regular egg gal.

Anyway, I think it is worth the trouble soTyson can live a happy life such as it is. She probably is a cornish x, but that doesn't mean you can't love her.

BackyardHens and All,

You did tell me before that you thought Tyson was a broiler hen. Somehow along the line, I convinced myself she wasn't. But, I'm OK with it now. She is happy and healthy for the moment in her new little "Hen Hospice House". I told my husband about her being a CornishX and what that entailed. He said "Maybe she'll prove everyone wrong. She wasn't walking and now she is. And, if you loose her you can get some more. Maybe chicks since we have a save place for them." What a keeper I was lucky to get for a husband; 31 years and counting.

Off the subject...but here are my 2 horses practicing for the auditions for the next Riverdance Troup; on my husband's newly built floating deck I might add. I ran them off right away, after snapping a quick pic.

Galwaylady, The bit of experience I've had with CornishX is they are usually butchered by age 10 weeks. Few escape the timetable as their owners all bought them for the specific purpose of being butchered. It is the escapees who land in the hands of kind hearted souls who live longer. WE had one in our 1st batch of chicks. We noticed he ate like a pig. Named him Huey. Had to give him away at 2 months old to a friendly, kind hearted neighbor who helped us in a very significant way. We could tell that he was doomed. He was my oldest boy chick. Everyone in the family chose to have a chick in our first group. Huey left first. I've read of folks allowing them to go beyond 12 months. I read a post of one in my Yahoo Chicken group that was reported to be about 17 pounds ..... and chuckled. My neighbor bought a dozen of them. He didn't have air conditioning for them to keep cool. Every week in the summer as the birds got bigger and bigger he'd go clean out the dead ones on the hotter days. I kept mentioning he probably should have "done the deed" sooner. Ended up that 90% of the feed he bought was eaten by dead CornishX birds that were tossed into the dumpster. Oh well ... life goes and and sometimes it just ends. He only butchered 2-3 out of 12. Now he has Pit Game Hens. They reproduce well (like guinea fowl) but are terrible egg layers. What I love about this breed is they are survivors. If your flock has an attack by a marauding dog (it happens) ..... the Pit Game hens will fly up onto the barn or house to escape and live another day. The others ..... end up dead. I've had chickens for 6-7 years .... and close 50 different breeds (seriously). I like this breed because they are pretty as well and their feed intake is about 20% that of normal dual purpose chickens (RIR or Barred Rock for example). Tyson is the perfect name for sure. They get fat, fall down and eventually pass on. They generally have terrible short lives in comparison to other chickens. Best wishes or have a great dinner.

PHOTOGRAPHER,

Thanks... I think...for the info on CornishX's. Your description of Huey matches my Tyson. There is a large commercial chicken operation down the road from us owned by a famous corporation (Can you guess which one?). They remove their product every few months. In late April while doing their 'harvest' there was HUGE thunderstorm. Somehow, Andre brought home a refugee. I'm wondering if the chicken gatherers threw one at him to get rid of him. She was scared but very much alive. She ate well for a few days & then stopped eating and drinking altogether & couldn't walk. I gave her antibiotic mixed with water & force fed her moistened cat food & ground-up grain. Slowly, she began to walk again and now walks and even runs. We will keep her & care for her as long as it is humane to do so. We never intended to raise chickens but Tyson and Road Runner are such sweet creatures, we have fallen in love with the crazy birds. I'll be watching Craig's List for additions to the family (after the customary time of mourning) when Tyson goes to the big Coop in the sky.

Your description of Pit Hens is also right on in describing Road Runner. I am guessing she is about 3.5 - 4 yrs old. She lays 10-13 eggs in each nest...that's if and when you can find the nest. Do you think she is too old to bother trying to find her a rooster? She is TOTALLY free range & I can't bring myself to pen her up; even though she would probably be safer. I KNOW she would be miserable. She is quite friendly & comes running when called. She struts into the breakfast nook (tiled of course) and checks out the cat's dish. She once wandered all the way into the living room & watched television for a few minutes. She prefers the Spanish language channel.

I will continue to update you all on our kooky little band of critters & frequent this forum for advice and entertainment!

Galwaylady, There are some very traditional sources for Pit Game roos. They are everywhere in Texas. All you have to do is ask around. The Hispanic community uses the roos for entertainment (illegal). You'll need a roo to get any chicks out of your eggs from Roadrunner. Chances are you can get an older beat up old Pit Game roo for $10 from one of your Mexican neighbors. There are famous lineages of Pit Game chickens bred by infamous "cockfighters". As the cockfighter got famous he would develop his own brand of fighting chicken. As time passes Roadrunner will get a bit friendlier. Regular feeding points and times will endear her to you and vice versa. I have 7 of the Pit Games eggs being incubated by one of my broody Buff Cochin hens. She is as tame as can be. I can walk right up to her and pick her up. If you go up to the poultry website called EGGBID.COM ....... you'll be surprised at the quantity of breeds available as chicks, well started chicks, adult chickens or EGGS. If one has an incubator ....... they can have any breed wanted in their back yard in as little as 35 days.

Photographer,

Thanks again for the tips. I am considering getting a roo for Road Runner. She is quite friendly to me. She just doesn't like the newcomer, Tyson. At least she has stopped beating her up. She just growls at her.

Runner does this weird thing when she is agreeable to let me pet her. She squats & puts her wings out & stands perfectly still. I can pet her & pick her up then. She just coos & is quite sweet. But, that squatting bit looks like some kind of behavior she would exhibit for a rooster. Am I right?

Yesterday I found Runner sitting eggs. I didn't think they were there long but there were 11 beautiful brown eggs. Can we eat those eggs? My husband insists that we can & has taken all of them & put them in the fridge.

I would check and see how old they are - you can drop them in water and as long as they do not come floating to the top they should be fine.

MQN - thanks! I will do that. I'm hoping Tyson the CornishX will start laying. She has a coop so it will be easier to find her eggs and KNOW when they were laid.

You're right Galwaylady, she's flirting with you! Whenever my girls do that, I can't help but pet them, but I do always decline the offer. No thanks, gals....

Galwaylady, Difficult to tell if a CornishX is hen or roo till they are quite a bit older. Chances are pretty slim of getting eggs from any CornishX given their average life expectancy. At this point if Tyson lives for 1 year you've got a 50/50 chance since Tyson is still of unknown sex. The Pit Game hens lay a medium to large ..... nearly white but just ever so slightly pale cream colored egg. Their eggs are never and in NO way brown. Your original assessment about RoadRunner is probably perfect. If she were a cross between a RIR and a Pit Game .... you'd get a dark hen like RoadRunner and they'd lay the darker brown egg. I had a beautiful Pit Game hen a few years back but gave her to my sister. I regret it now.

Backyard, I thought I noticed a gleam in her eye! Well, she can forget it. I don't go that way either. LOL.

Photographer, Just my luck Tyson will probably just continue to eat me out of house & home & never contribute. I could never bring myself to have her/him make the ultimate sacrifice and become Sunday dinner. Oh well, she/he is still TONS of fun to watch!

I am beginning to appreciate my little Runner more and more. Those eggs are definitely very brown. Her being a crossbreed has probably helped her survive so well. The people that used to own the property never even fed her. She must think she's died and gone to heaven.

Tyson may lay you a few eggs, my neighbors' cornish x's do occasionally, but mostly they are just on full scholarship. lol

Backyard, that's EXACTLY what she acts like a spoiled child who thinks she is entitled to everything. Not only full scholarship but no dorm for her - she's strictly an on off-campus apartment kinda chick. LOL Soon, she'll be expecting a new car!

Margie

Great Pics..
Tracey

Galwaylady, I'd be tempted to find a neighbor with an older Pit Game rooster and trade-in your Tyson. Tyson won't be around too awful long anyway and someone could get a fine meal in exchange. Tyson is gonna need some protection this summer from the sun and heat. Your RoadRunner is a nice looking chicken. Given her ability to survive with little or no feed she definitely demonstrates the low feed requirements of the breed. There are plenty of darker lines of Pit Games chickens around. My experience is ONLY with fairer colored Pit Game chickens. I am absolutley certain about the egg color. White to cream is the APA Standard color. If one were to cross a Pit Game w/ any one of many darker chicken breeds or a Black Sex-link and you'd end up with a bevvie of chickens looking like RoadRunner. Her brown eggs and her rather large yellow legs make her appear to be 50% Pit Game and something else ...... like a cross with a Black Sex-link. They are some of the most popular birds sold at local feed stores. If you ever get a Pit Game roo ...... you'll be impressed with the vigor of the birds and what a terrific broody mom your RoadRunner might become. We've got 10 little Pit Game chicks running around next door with mom protecting them. They are adorable. Within a month we're gonna have close to 35 more. They multiply faster than Tribbles (Star Trek).

photographer, you are probably right, but can't you see it is a case of true love here? :) I think all logic goes out the door when raising chickens as pets :) It sure does for me

wheeeeee! There's always room for one more!

GalwayLady, I understand your feelings perfectly. I did write "I would be tempted" ..... not really advising you to do the deed. I try to be as practical as possible any more. I do not expect your Tyson to end up like our baby Huey did. My neighbor did say in passing that Huey made a wonderful Sunday fried chicken dinner for his family. Best wishes with the chickens. Tyson will likely require some extra special handling in order to live longer than 18 months. I have far too many chickens with several more due to hatch within the next few weeks.

Photographer very practical suggestion, unfortunately 'Backyard' is ON to me. Too love struck with my Ty to let her go...pain though she is. I will watch for any signs of her beginning to go downhill as she ages. I won't let her suffer.

I will however look for a roo for Runner. I am more and more excited about the breed as you describe it. We're on hold for any additions to the chicken population until the hay is in, however.Maybe I should also tell Andre that. LOL. Last 2 days LOADS of work bringing in square bales. Will send some updated pics when I can lift my arms again! Thanks again all!

Margie

Hello again all,

Not much new going on. Runner the Pit/? is still sitting her empty nest. My Hubby stole her 11 eggs. Tyson the CornishX is getting bigger & bigger. Photographer, I think he/she may be a roo. That comb has really starting to grow as well as the 'hangy-down-thingy under the beak"(correct technical name I'm sure LOL). He/She has FINALLY accepted her coop. She now goes right in instead of waiting on the back door step to go into the utility room in the house. This is quite a relief as he/she was starting to really fight me when I picked her up to put her in for the night. I could see the day coming when she would win!

Margie

GalwayLady, a waddle I think. Kelly

How is that hen and that pretty dog of yours doing ??
is the dog still darking at the hen???
Tracey

Kelly, LOL I should have known that! I remember my brother making fun of elderly ladies and their waddles. It gets less funny the older I get!

Tracey, Both chickens are doing great! Tyson the CornishX that Andre carried home is growing by leaps and bounds. As, Photographer correctly pointed out that he/she is too young to know for sure if it is a rooster or hen. I'm guessing rooster. He/She is VERY food aggressive. He/She loves walking sticks; which is a good thing cause they kinda creep me out. He/she also loves Andre's food. Andre (the dog) is so gentle he will just back off & let her take it. When he finally gets frustrated enough he barks at her but she doesn't move a lick off the food.

Count down to your eggs hatching is getting very close. You must be getting excited and your little boy too!

Margie

Didn't have time to read all the posts but I got the drift.
I believe a Cornish Rock is just a Cornish crossed with a White Rock.
At any rate if you don't give it too high protein feed and let it forage for grass and bugs it may live longer. I had a friend with some pure Cornish hens and they were just fine.
I think the problems come when they are fed high protein feed for fast growth to butcher at an early age.

Cottage _Rose, The Cornish breed is a grand old breed of bird. They are actually a dual purpose breed. I have a 1 Barnevelder a 3 Wyandotte hens of different colors (Colombian, Silver & Gold laced). Both breeds have a bit of Cornish in them but mostly the Barnevelder. Yesterday we celebrated the hatchings of 21 new American Game chicks (Pit Game). Their father is a retired fighter (he escaped his cruel captors). He migrated about 1/4 mile north a one property line west. No one was willing to tell the former owners their chickens found a new home (not on my land). Anyway he brought a half a dozen of his girlfriends and they all managed to find nesting spots they could brood. Now we have 41 new chicks running around with another 14 eggs in a nest due to hatch in 3 weeks. My neighbor used to marvel at my 40 or so chickens. Now I just love to remind him that he has more than I do.