Breeding meat chickens

[Brunty_Farms]

Quote:
I'd think you would want a pure Cornish rooster to bring in the broad breast, not a Cornish Cross. The Cornish Cross is too likely to be too big to mate successfully and is very likely to die for health reasons before it is old enough to mate. You can restrict the diet of a Cornish Cross and maybe keep it alive and maybe even keep it from getting too big to mate, but that is a lot more work than I want to even attempt.

Yes, but the results from their offspring are lightyears ahead of what a standard cornish is going to give you. Again.... don't reinvent the wheel.... just modify it.

 

[Kassaundra]

Let me start by saying I am very new to chickens, and have not raised any for meat yet, I am doing a lot of reading to help decide the best approach for my family, but I have every intention of raising meat birds. I have read the entire thread, and I have read up on CX, and have to say my first gut reaction is against CX for many of the same reasons already mentioned. That having been said it has suprised me that no one has brought up the crowing issue. I live in town for me to raise meat birds to 20wks my options are pullets only (which will be smaller) or caponizing, it seems to me my only other choice would be a chicken that is processing size before it starts crowing.

 

[Bossroo]

... and that leads you back to the Cornish X.

 

[SteveH]

Quote:
The New Hampshire breeders that I have spoken to in the past year (only a couple) have indicated that breeders are breeding for color conformity rather than size or laying ability.

Unfortunately that's what most breeders breed for instead of functional traits...

Its a sad truth that at least the majority of breeders of purebreds are breeding for the show win and disregarding the original production traits of the breeds , but type and appropriate size to fit the SOP is worth more than perfect color and its not color the judges are checking when they remove each bird and feel through the feathers . Going to a breeder will cost more and some original characteristics of the breed may be lost ; but my thinking is that I can get better body type from a breeder to incorporate into a hatchery sourced flock if I want to breed my own .

 

[jmemom]

I'd forgotten about this post. Wow, I knew you guys were a wealth of info, but this is some great advice!

Quote:
Ah, I think you may have helped me to organize my thoughts a little better. Greater self sufficiency is something I'm trying for... I guess honestly, that is more important to me than saving money.

So I guess I would be better served to find a breeder in my area than to order more hatchery stock. I do love the idea of having Buckeyes. Does the fact that I live in Ohio mean I'd have more luck finding them?

 

[Kassaundra]

Quote:
Exactly

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Both heritage DP's and CX's have their ups and downs. Personally you have to make a list and see which one suits your needs best.

Here is an example list:

Do I want to raise chickens for 20 weeks? Or would 8 weeks fit into my schedule better?
Ethical issues? Does it bother you that you support a factory farm industry? CX chicks are a product of industrialized agriculture and used by factory farms.
Ethical issues? Does the rapid growth of the CX bother you compared to a slower growing breed?
Price? Is this an issue? CX's are the most efficient way to raise meat if your looking at it as a price comparison. DP's consume mass amounts of food compared to the meat that is given.
Sustainability an issue? Would you rather hatch out your own meat chicks so you don't have to replace your birds every year?
Would you want to take care of a breeder flock for your meat needs? Hatch eggs?
Or... would you like to be done in 8 weeks. Busy schedules demand time, meat chickens take time, are you willing to sacrifice 20 weeks or 8? Possibly more than 20 if you want a breeder flock
Do you want chickens that crow, fly, or harass your hens? Need a special coop, even with roosters.
What is your main goal in this? Ask yourself that question than go from there.

To be honest with you, people that have busy lives should probably get the CX's.... If you have neighbors and crowing is an issue, CX's are again a good choice. If you have chickens as your hobby and have time to cater to to them, than having a meat bird project is not only rewarding food wise, but it's fun as well. However it takes time and patience.... a lot of patience.

 

[Sundown_Farmer]

Quote:
Exactly

550 cornish cross this summer. Zero complaints. They eat worms, grass, bugs and generally do what they are supposed to do. We lose a few chicks the first week but they have tolerated heat, wet and my inexperience very well.

Give them plenty of brooder space (we have 50 in a 300 gallon rubbermaid tank). Send them outside at 2 or 3 weeks. Let them empty their feeder in the evening and go without overnight. Big birds in 7 weeks. Move them away from their manure every day. No big deal. This forum has all the advice you need to raise a yummy, healthy CX. They're not evil poop machines. Just poop machines.

If your complaint is a lack of dark meat I have no defense.

500 birds came from Schlecht. 50 came from Welp. Maybe they just sent me good birds.

 

[Kassaundra]

Quote:
Exactly

550 cornish cross this summer. Zero complaints. They eat worms, grass, bugs and generally do what they are supposed to do. We lose a few chicks the first week but they have tolerated heat, wet and my inexperience very well.

Give them plenty of brooder space (we have 50 in a 300 gallon rubbermaid tank). Send them outside at 2 or 3 weeks. Let them empty their feeder in the evening and go without overnight. Big birds in 7 weeks. Move them away from their manure every day. No big deal. This forum has all the advice you need to raise a yummy, healthy CX. They're not evil poop machines. Just poop machines.

If your complaint is a lack of dark meat I have no defense.

500 birds came from Schlecht. 50 came from Welp. Maybe they just sent me good birds.

Good to know, I won't be doing anything as grand as 550!!!! lol I personally think there is a lot of hype on both sides of the CX debate. I am new to chickens so really don't feel comfortable w/ the caponizing for myself, think it is great for those who do it successfully, and may get there one day, but for today I need a meat bird that doesn't crow so no matter my stand on any of the other issues it will be CX's for me. For me w/ my first ever processing event it will be psychologically helpful to know they (the CX's ) have a built in "expiration date" and w/o my intervention (processing) they cannot live much longer anyway. The fact that they are all uniform and white will keep me from getting distracted w/ a "it's to pretty to process" idea. As for the issue of helping the industrialization of chickens, well the ones I have control of will have as good a life as any other chicken, outside, sun on their backs, bugs to eat, grass between their toes, maybe a little shorter life then other chickens, but I'm not the one who built in the "expiration date". Reading posts like yours eases my mind of the horror stories about broken legs, chf, heart attacks etc......

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Those "horror stories" are just that.... stories. You will be fine, I believe the CX's would be the best choice for starting out.