Cornish Cross Pet

[giwa]

I purchased a Cornish Cross on February 24th this year (labeled as a bantam). I soon after suspected it was a meat bird and shared pictures on this forum confirmed it. I read to restrict feed to allow slow growth of the bird and that is what I have been doing. As of now 4/11/20 (about 7-8 weeks) the chick is energetic and completely covered in very soft thick beautiful white feathers with no bald areas of stretched skin over too much meat as I have read it would have normally. It is small and not a size I can imagine anyone would eat. He/she seems to be doing very well! ... But is it still too soon to know?
I try to find info on people keeping them as pets, restricting feed and slowing growth from early beginning of life but never do. I do however find stories of people who try to keep them as layers or pets after they were already raised and fed as a bird to be slaughtered for consumption and therefore crippled and/or suffering.... but is there anyone on this forum or does anyone know of anyone else who has raised one with restricted feeding and slow growth from early in chickhood that can share an outcome?

I also have to say that this is such a sweet and smart little bird that wants to hang around people like a dog. I see nothing of the negative characteristics people claim. And its chirp is also cute and pretty like a songbird instead of the chicken noises the others make.

 

[sloanbychoice]

I have only seen that people say they can’t really live very long, even under restrictions. I did see one lady who had hers for just over a year. Everyone was shocked.

 

[giwa]

I have only seen that people say they can’t really live very long, even under restrictions. I did see one lady who had hers for just over a year. Everyone was shocked.

Thanks for your response.
From what I have read I see the same. But the restrictions in the these reportings were only put into place after they had already reached adulthood.
Many years ago my sister was given some meat birds because the person who was going to eat them found he could not go through with the killing. I know hers were around for some years. Don't really know how many though. She claims about 4. I know for sure it was more than 2. She did not feed them much. She would give them some scraps but otherwise they were on their own out in the yard. I do not know if they died of natural causes or predators. I would have to find out. But again it is another example of them being raised as food but being kept otherwise after already reaching adulthood.