Cornish Cross

We've been raising these birds for years.  Aside from a tendency to heat intolerance, the biggest downside to this breed is the HUGE amount of poop they produce - think turds the size of golf balls, from every bird, all day long! Other than that, they are relatively trouble-free birds, as long as you don't overfeed them.
A little known side benefit of this breed are their eggs - I usually order all roosters and the few that turn out to be pullets get added to our laying flock. The pullets lay enormous eggs with huge yolks on an almost daily basis. They begin laying at about 20 weeks of age, provided they are hatched early enough in the spring to allow them to mature by late summer (pullets from late summer or autumn hatchings often never begin laying at all); unfortunately, most Cornish cross hens only live to about 18 months of age, due to a tendency toward heart problems.

I love these hybrids! I wish I had decided to try them sooner. I got mine from Townline Hatchery. I fed them comercial feed (absolutely NO antibioics) with supplemental free range. I had a broody hen raise them. I was VERY pleased with the final product. I butchered at 8 weeks and wound up with birds almost the size of turkeys :D. They were very healthy birds and I can't wait to supply my family with more quality home grown poultry.

Cornish cross are one of the least healthy chickens to eat all they do is eat!

I've raised two batches of the CX and are incredibly impressed with their foraging abilities, their activity levels and their tough nature.  These birds can get an injury and brush it off like it never happened.  Heal up so fast and well that you can't tell who was injured, even when doing the processing later. 

 

They have a great feed conversion and I've never lost one to unexplained death.  They will range farther and forage longer than any breed of chicken I've ever raised..sunup to sundown out on pasture and in the woodland. 

 

They do well on fermented feed and full free range.  Grew them slow, used fermented layer mash and whole grains.  Healthy chickens that fill the freezer like no other breed.  Can't say enough positive things about this breed. 

Great birds to raise for eating. They mature in 6-7 weeks and are very good to eat. They eat a lot in their short life so have lots of food on hand. Very easy to clean also.

She was one of the best chickens we had. Sadly, she is no longer with us.

Great meat birds but not very hardy.

 

I absolutely love this breed! I'v raised mine since she was a chick and she is so friendly and healthy it's amazing. I totally recommend this breed. We don't keep this breed for the meat (I have never killed a chicken) but they make fantastic pets!!!!

I ordered some a week ago and man are they doing good no problem even if the heat isnt right on 90 but man there awesome chicks

I have succesfuly raised cornish cross breed with no leg problems. We use Willard Water, remove feed at 7 pm until 8 am.
They are ready to eat in the am BUT do not sit in front of the feeder 24-7 and just eat.
I have them out side in the day, you have to make sure they do not hurt themselves when getting out of the coop. Some of the girls do not want to use the walk way they just want to hop out.

We just butchered 15 and had a couple that weighed 8 lbs, with an avg of 6.5. So I feel good about what we are doing. AND great flavored meat !