Cornish X Question

[lnm03]

What is the age limit...no older than....to process before the meat will get tough?

 

[cassie]

The "how long before the meat gets tough?" isn't as much of a factor as "how soon will they start keeling over?". We butchered our last batch at between 10 and 12 weeks and most of them dressed out in the 11 to 13 pound range. I don't think you would want to hold them any longer than that. These chickens are bred to grow fast, not live long.

 

[19sarah90]

Lots of people grow them slower and have had their cornish live longer. But if toughness is what you are worried about, don't let them hit 12 weeks... that's when they start pumping hormones that make the meat get tough.

 

[ghulst]

THey are good untill about 20 weeks.