Cornish Cross: pullets vs. cockerels

[19sarah90]

I've heard they grow at different rates, but does anyone have a preference for one or the other for any reason? I purchased pullets for my first time because I thought it would be easier pairing them off for the fair since they have to be uniform. Any thoughts?

 

[spook]

This is a thought and hopefully someone can clarify this for me as its only an assumption, but, I bought Cornish X and they were all cockerals. Now with the machine "eviseration" (hope that is right), they may want the pullets due to the need for removing the immiture male parts that lay on the back bone.
I was always told that if they stay, it makes the meat taste bad, and trust me, they are not easy to chase when processing! (hee hee).

Pullets are smaller then cockrals, but the cockrals may be easier to show signs of growth for fair season.

As for uniform size, I dressed off 10 "roasters" that were from 5 1/4 to 5 1/2 lbs at 6 weeks. Not weighing prior to processing, I would still assume that they would be the same approx size feathered.

I guess I'd rather have cockrals for the freezer because they gain much faster and its less time you have to put into it. As for food, larger size means more food regardless to age (IMO).

 

[19sarah90]

Hmm... interesting. I've never heard of anything special needing to be done to cockerals prior to eating, but maybe someone else will comment. Maybe I will get a straight run this fall for myself and take notes on growth, etc.

 

[jaku]

I haven't noticed any difference in taste, but the cockerels are larger at 8 weeks. Personally, I like a variety in size at butcher time.