I have heard of people keeping the meat birds long enough to lay and one that laid well. At least that's what I read on the internet so it must be true. ;)
But do remember that these are not true LF Cornish. They're crosses, and simply a meat bird.
I'd have to agree that a true cornish isn't going to be a great backyard meat bird. Reason I say this isn't because they are great meat birds, but for "backyard" meat bird, you'd need something easier to handle and care for.
What you have are not true Cornish but a hybrid that they call "Cornish Rock" or "Cornish Cross" that is meant solely as a meat bird. They usually need to be slaughtered at around 8 weeks. Sorry.
There are Cornish Cross birds (at least that's what they're called) that are for eating. They are not "real" Cornish and might not even have Cornish in them. But most don't know there are any other kind.
Then there is the "real" Cornish, of which most you see are "Dark Cornish." If yours are...
I am just the same as you, Heritage farms, and don't have the space. Nor the rest of the facilities to raise LF Cornish. I'll not take on these amazing birds till I feel I can do them justice. I can't. Not now. Oh sure I could get some maybe an maybe do an OK job but they are NOT like any...
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You hit the nail on the head. I love LF Cornish and am starting to enjoy the bantams as well, though my overall view of bantams is "what's the point?" But these guys are different. I haven't the space for them but some day I'm going to have me some good Cornish.
I like him too. We've talked and he is indeed a great guy. But it's true, he won't sell his stock to just anybody. And that is his right, no matter a person's reasons, they have the right to sell or not to.
Besides, he did have most of his best breeding stock killed by dogs a few months ago...
Yes that is who I was thinking of. And you are absolutely right. He doesn't sell much and only to people he can trust to do him justice. Because of everything you say. They don't lay like leghorns and all the good breeders have to watch out for the wannabees that do just as you say.
Besides, in...
From my own experience, which isn't by any means extensive, any breed can be a killer when it comes to other roosters. But most non game types from breeders are culled for bad personalities. Cornish is a game type. So I suppose I"m guilty of assumpton. My black Orpington boy would rip another...
Careful with these dudes, the boys are incredibly aggressive to other boys. Just not to poeple. You might contact a couple that have posted regularly here. They might have some eggs in the spring that are at least partly exhibition quality cornish. You already, hopefully, see the difference in...
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LF cornish. They are the "bulldogs of the chicken world" yet usually not aggressive to humans. Rough, tough, solid blocks of muscle. And just.. I love them. Glad to see you have some now Bulldogma. Only one I have now is a hatchery hen. But I dont' have room for more. Unless I...
I've looked closely at chicks feathering out and birds in hard molt. It seems their feathers don't really grow on every inch of skin, but rather in strips. One strip on each side of the breast, a strip on each side, and a strip down the back. Cornish breasts are so wide, that the bald spot in...
I've used zip ties too. Don't care for them since you have to be really careful and watch close so they don't outgrow the band and get their foot amputated by it, but they are cheap and easy so long as you do that. I'm not a great fan of the spiral bands either but given a choice, I think...