SOP Large Cornish

[TV]

Does anyone know of anybody that has SOP Large Cornish chickens that will sell and ship hatching eggs, chicks or older birds? I have emailed several people only to be told they no longer have them or get no response at all. I would dearly love to start a flock of pure large Cornish but it seems they are a disappearing or disappeared breed. Anyone anywhere?

 

[TV]

? So I guess they don't exist anymore?

 

[Oregon Blues]

Yes, they exist. They are fairly rare and the breeders generally will not sell to amateurs. Too many people want them to do cross breeding projects and the gene pool is too small. Birds only go to serious breeders who will do their best to maintain and improve the breed.

You want them, I suggest that you go to shows and find a breeder and show yourself to be dedicated to supporting the breed. Maybe if you look serious enough, you might be allowed to purchase a breeding pair after you have been thoroughly checked out.

 

[TV]

If that truly is the attitude of most of those breeding them then it's a sure fire recipe for extinction of the breed. I do want to maintain a pure flock but also understand that the main purpose of these birds is to become table fare. The way to ensure a breeds survival is to promote it's strong points ,expose it to and get it out to the so called "amateurs". If the so called "amateurs" are only exposed to hatchery birds that don't represent the SOP then indeed interest will be lost along with the breed. Remember, this breed was originally developed as a "commercial" meat variety, to be eaten, not a show dog.

 

[wyoDreamer]

My understanding is that they are not very productive birds in the mating and egg department. So fewer offspring means that the breeders don't have alot of excess eggs and chicks to be spreading around.
I may be wrong on that, but I recall reading that somewhere on BYC.

 

[theoldguy]

TV, Just Google LF Cornish for sale, there are some good breeders and not the hatchery birds.