One would have to admit that Cornish X has problems. All the accolades in the universe cannot take away what the industry has done to the breed. Inherently, there is a problem.
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What has the industry done to the breed, except to breed the best to the best to get an even better next generation? I would say that the breeders of the CX have succeeded spectacularly with what they set out to do. That's what a breed is, humans modifying plant and animals generation by generation until they get what they want. It's not like CX are some heritage breed with a standard to be protected.
We raise about 50 CX per year. I've done DP, too, and still do a few with the CX when I have males to cull, but the CX are so much better taste wise, texture wise, growth wise, and monetarily. It costs me far less time, effort, and money to make a pound of chicken with a CX than it does a DP breed. And they are SO DELICIOUS! Tender like a supermarket chicken, but flavorful like a DP, when they are allowed some space to do more than just eat.
We raise our CX in small pastures, with about eight-ten square feet of space per bird. We'd let them free range, but that's an all-you-can-eat predator buffet around here. We let them have free choice chick starter for three weeks, then free choice 23% protein feed for two weeks, then they go on a 12 hours on, 12 hours off eating schedule. Basically, I pick up their feed in the evening when I gather eggs, and put it back the next morning when I let them out into the pasture. We use a wet mash feed, but not fermented feed. I've never had one die for any reason other than predator attack. We did have to cull one with a broken leg once, but that's because the shelter had a perch bar in it, and the dummy wanted to perch. We ate the broken leg one and took off the perch. The end.
I've never had breathing problems, disease, heart attacks, etc. Mine use the full space available to them, and wander around trying to catch butterflies. They stay clean with enough space, and I find them rather charming. We butcher between 8 and 10 weeks. I've never understood the hatred that CX generate, and have always wondered if it comes from people trying to raise them in 1.5 sq. ft. per bird. That small space would make any animal a bit unpleasant.
Is there any major different between CornishX and pure Cornish for the sake of this article?
After trying my hand at CornishX this year, I was going to purchase Dark LF Cornish next year to see how they differ. Planning to put them on pasture in the summer. Any tips?
I raise Dark Cornish for broody hens. They are not good meat birds by themselves. In fact, when they were first introduced, one source in the 1800's said they "…are nearly if not quite the worst domestic fowls for ordinary use." They are terribly slow growers meat-wise, and lay only a few medium sized eggs per week. They are, however, the very best broodies I've ever used. They sit 2-3 times per year, are big enough to cover 12 eggs, sit tight, and are vicious about defending their offspring. I got mine from Murray McMurray and can't say enough about them as mothers.
They are supposed to be tasty if you butcher them when they are around 3lbs. That's the origin of the Cornish Game Hen.
