Cornish Thread

[Cedarknob]

I did have a few minor issues at first then got things settled to a point, that point not being as good as I liked. So I just went and upgraded the thermostat and tweeked some other little minor things and got her humming along now pretty well. I do Hatch out of the same compartment even though they aren't seperated, but that's the beauty of it, I still get to run staggered hatches and hatch in the tray, all with out ever changing the humidity levels. So far it's really working strong and I am more than pleased with it's performance to date.

I did buy a big Humidair redwood hatcher this past spring at auction, it runs well and all seems fine, I haven't used it yet though. Some knucklehead painted it grey................ can you believe that, so my plan is to strip it down, take it apart, replace the thermostat with one I got from GQF a preset eletronic one, and a few other minor things. and then bring that redwood back to life and it's got those really cool brass fitting and latches on it. The only thing is the Bas****d is huge and heavy, but hey.................. it looks cool. I will do that this winter after show season and when I have more time.

I agree Steve......... that white bird in that one pic ain't no cornish, not with that body and leg's must be the Hatcheries version of cornish I guess LOL.

Thanks for the info.

That old Humidair sounds like a great score.

I will eventually try the low humidity hatch. My last two sets for awhile are in the Hovabators, and I am not even monitoring the humidity. One went through the 6 hour electric outage, and I can't afford the emergency generator I really need, so they may have quit already. Humidity is high outside, even running 55% and higher inside with the air conditioning running. I shut my home made down for the year. It needs cleaning, plus if it is not running I will not be tempted to set eggs in it; I have plenty of things right now to do without more chicks to add to the load. The good news is that just one, low placed electric wire instantly stopped the nightly visits from that predator, and all it took before I was able to get it up was dead birds from those killed previously before I got it up. I tried setting a trap in the pen of dead birds and the wounded survivor, so if it entered the old hole it would get caught. It just dug a new hole and made it big enough this time to take a dead one with it. Time has gotten away from me today, and need to get outside now that its a bit cooler to make that fence even higher.

 

[Cedarknob]

At 9:3o tonight it is still 86 with the heat index at 102. I had a problem that required attention before getting after the fence, so it still isn't finished. I ended up finishing the yard mowing on my rider instead, and was drenched with sweat just from doing that. Actual temperatures have been in the 90s to 100 during the day, That is low compared to some you guy's areas, but the humidity with it makes it hard on me, and I'm not supposed to be out in it anyway. LOL

 

[Minniechickmama]

Steve, we are cooking up here in MinneSOta too. I am surprised that the birds are all doing okay still. I do have PLENTY of water out there for them.

I just hatched 4 Pekin ducklings. I did lose one that I think was actually too wet, but there isn't a whole lot I can do about Mother Nature sweating things up in there.

I cannot believe, of all the birds that are still laying in this heat, my DCs are still putting out the eggs. For low egg producers, they sure are determined to prove someone that isn't so true. I have quite a few chicks in brooders and pens from that pen. I am looking forward to putting one of the hens in with my Splash Lace boy this fall before they all up and quit laying.

For now, I need to go sit in front of the little a/c unit we have in the living room. I wonder if any of us will sleep tonight.

 

[Cedarknob]

I cannot believe, of all the birds that are still laying in this heat, my DCs are still putting out the eggs. For low egg producers, they sure are determined to prove someone that isn't so true.

Many, if not all, breed threads in this section have owners that breed or own the real deal, and those that have birds labeled as that breed by hatcheries. Sometimes feelings are hurt and arguments break out about the differences, and that is not my intent On the other hand, I think people new to Cornish need to know that there as much difference between real Cornish and hatchery "Cornish as there is between real Ameraucanas and those sold as such by hatcheries.

I've found that the written descriptions of their "Cornish" on many hatchery's sites to accurately describe the poorer egg laying abilities of Cornish, along with their other and more attractive characteristics; Cornish were never meant to be a dual purpose breed; once they proved worthless as game birds, they were bred into the ultimate meat bird of their day. I consider them still that, but many will prefer a faster growing dual purpose breed, or a commercial strain of meat bird, better suited to their wants.

My little bit of experience with hatchery "Cornish" has been that they are pretty fair layers, and a small percentage of them actually might serve as the beginning of a decent dual purpose flock. However, they are not Cornish in my opinion. I would have to say the same of any "breed" purchased or bred from hatchery stock. Whether marketed as Rhode Island Reds, Cuckoo Marans, Jersey Giants, etc., etc., they seldom show more than some resemblance to the breed; and it seems that the more rare the breed, or care involved in raising them. the less resemblance they show. To my eyes the hatchery Cornish look to be carrying a lot of blood from soft feathered breeds, and their better egg production means they can be reproduced and sold at lower prices while still returning a profit. A few individuals may try to capitalize on the fame of real Cornish as a meat breed to sell their hatchery type or crosses at inflated prices.

I believe that if the "Cornish" available for purchase from hatcheries were actually Cornish, even Cornish of lesser quality, there is no way they could sell them at the price they do, and they would most probably be available for purchase only on a limited basis. I'm pretty sure that if they had much Cornish blood in them, they would be priced more like, or higher than, the chicks sold as "Saipan Jungle Fowl" by Cackle.

I hope my little spiel has not offended, but instead served to explain some of the differences, to those with an interest in this breed, between Cornish and birds sold as such.

 

[Minniechickmama]

There is NO mistake, the Cornish I have and am referring to... ARE the real deal. I bought them off a breeder this Spring and have been after some of their birds since I got into chickens 4-years ago. I asked how many eggs per year theirs lay and they said about 120 or so. These 2 girls are putting out eggs nearly every day when all the others except my TRUE Ameraucanas, (who don't slow down for anything) have dropped to hardly any. I can't blame any of them for taking a break when it is hovering around 100-degrees here for the last few days. They are tough birds, I have though. They can take the 100-degree as good at the 20-below in Winter.

Here is a shot of the birds I was referring too, just to validate:

But I do have some of those hatchery style Cornish:


Had this roo too, until he crossed me on a bad day when I lost some birds I was growing out for my daughter to show:
Like his size, but he needed work. I wouldn't have minded working with him, if he was such a sh** to have around with people. He only got to stay as long as he did because he was a great rooster to keep watch of the flock, and he treated his girls well. But you can only overlook that so long before the sneak attacks get old.

 

[Minniechickmama]

Many, if not all, breed threads in this section have owners that breed or own the real deal, and those that have birds labeled as that breed by hatcheries. Sometimes feelings are hurt and arguments break out about the differences, and that is not my intent On the other hand, I think people new to Cornish need to know that there as much difference between real Cornish and hatchery "Cornish as there is between real Ameraucanas and those sold as such by hatcheries.

I've found that the written descriptions of their "Cornish" on many hatchery's sites to accurately describe the poorer egg laying abilities of Cornish, along with their other and more attractive characteristics; Cornish were never meant to be a dual purpose breed; once they proved worthless as game birds, they were bred into the ultimate meat bird of their day. I consider them still that, but many will prefer a faster growing dual purpose breed, or a commercial strain of meat bird, better suited to their wants.

My little bit of experience with hatchery "Cornish" has been that they are pretty fair layers, and a small percentage of them actually might serve as the beginning of a decent dual purpose flock. However, they are not Cornish in my opinion. I would have to say the same of any "breed" purchased or bred from hatchery stock. Whether marketed as Rhode Island Reds, Cuckoo Marans, Jersey Giants, etc., etc., they seldom show more than some resemblance to the breed; and it seems that the more rare the breed, or care involved in raising them. the less resemblance they show. To my eyes the hatchery Cornish look to be carrying a lot of blood from soft feathered breeds, and their better egg production means they can be reproduced and sold at lower prices while still returning a profit. A few individuals may try to capitalize on the fame of real Cornish as a meat breed to sell their hatchery type or crosses at inflated prices.

I believe that if the "Cornish" available for purchase from hatcheries were actually Cornish, even Cornish of lesser quality, there is no way they could sell them at the price they do, and they would most probably be available for purchase only on a limited basis. I'm pretty sure that if they had much Cornish blood in them, they would be priced more like, or higher than, the chicks sold as "Saipan Jungle Fowl" by Cackle.

I hope my little spiel has not offended, but instead served to explain some of the differences, to those with an interest in this breed, between Cornish and birds sold as such.

I don't think you offend, but you are sort of preaching to the choir on this thread, bud.

 

[Cedarknob]

I don't think you offend, but you are sort of preaching to the choir on this thread, bud.

You have some nice DC. I'm afraid I did think you might be referring to hatchery "Cornish" when you mentioned the laying. My bad, and I apologize to you for using an excerpt from your post to point out some of the more elemental differences between Cornish and other birds sold as Cornish..

There have been many pictures or mention of Cornish here on this thread that just were not real Cornish, and with the lack of breeders of quality Cornish posting pictures of their birds here regularly, they have few to see and compare. I've been contacted by a few wanting Cornish after seeing pictures of mine. I think interest in the breed is growing, though that might be wishful thinking. LOL Most seemed to think that those from a hatchery were pure Cornish but liked the quality of mine pictured here more, and I seem to be one of a very few willing to sell hatching eggs from quality Cornish when I have extra, or willing to sell a young pair with potential to the new person. Too few others even post pictures of their quality birds, and I wish they would,even though they have none to sell..One person that contacted me was wanting to buy White Cornish chicks from me for their kids to raise and show in the 4H broiler class, so figured we are falling short to help those new to Cornish or chickens in general to be informed about the breed. I know from reading awhile on threads for the other breeds that it might not do much good to explain some of the most simple differences here, and someone will probably appear on the next page that has never looked at this page, but I wanted to try and to do it without being insulting or talking down to them.

 

[fowlman01]

Here is one of our (Bob Jones and Walt Leonard) dark hens.

Walt

 

[Cedarknob]

Here is one of our (Bob Jones and Walt Leonard) dark hens.





Walt

Beautiful!

 

[Minniechickmama]

Here is one of our (Bob Jones and Walt Leonard) dark hens.

Walt

I can totally understand those who have put a lot of effort into breeding any breed, to get it to fit the standard as well as they can, who don't want to sell good birds to just anyone. First, you have to wonder if they are going to breed them responsibly and to the betterment of the breed? Are they going to attach your name to a breeding program that 'goes south'? There is a reputation to consider as well as the quality of the birds.