Cornish question….

[BettyR]

My son wants to get some Dark Cornish chickens because in his words “they look like little dinosaurs”.

I’ve never been around them and I know they are supposed to be meat birds but I was wondering how well they do as egg layers? Does anyone keep this breed?

 

[greyfields]

I keep dark Cornish for both meat and eggs. They have a slight feral nature to them, meanign they wander much further than any of my other hens to find food. They also like to hide their eggs and fly much more than my other hens. Personally, I think they are awesome looking. Their eggs are medium sized, pale to medium brown. They contrast nicely with larger or darker eggs (I make my dozens look as varied as possible for customers). I had two go broody last year, which I believe may be a breed charateristic... although 2 outta 20 isn't overwhelming. One of my DC won run-upper grand chicken champion at the fair last year (one my Speckled Sussex got 1st).

What else. Oh, I have used my Dark Cornish Rooster to sire my own meat chickens. And he's in a breeding pen again doing the same. Typically, they are not raised as purebreds for meat (although there is a high end market for pure dark cornish chickens), but are crossed on other breeds with the Cornish being the terminal sire.

That's about it. Oh, in England they are called "Indian Game". So google that as well for more information.

 

[asher]

Awesome! Thank you for asking this! I have fallen in love with the white laced red cornish! I don't have a big yard, but would love to have some running around if they are that good at free ranging.

 

[greyfields]

I am not sure about the WRL. Since they are considered 'ornamental' I'm not sure how much of the original Cornish genes they contain. They will have been further selectively bred. Or, it may be no issue at all and they behave identically to Dark Cornish except with a different color.

 

[Settin'_Pretty]

At one time I had a treo of the White laced reds, they were super birds, possibly my favorites at that time.
They laid well, and were great brooders and mothers.
Mine were the bantams, I should point out, and they did very well on their own with foraging and were very calm and friendly.
They are great birds for on the homestead or farm

 

[BettyR]

Thanks folks, I appreciate the help!