Differences in meat (quality/quantity) between LF Cornish colors?

[Redhead Rae]

I've been looking into getting LF Cornish for meat. I love my DP birds, but they are scrawnier than I like to see. I would like to get whites, primarily for how clean looking you can get the carcass. However, they seem to be harder to find, at least near me. So, besides presentation, are any of the different Cornish colors better for meat than the others? I've been looking at hatchery birds, but from their description as "good" egg layers, I think the hatcheries are breeding for egg rather than meat production.

 

[duluthralphie]

Do you mean Cornish crosses for meat? Or pure Cornish rocks?

I made my own meat birds, I wanted some size on them..
I use a 20# propane tank as a reference for people with mine.

The bird below went just under 20# Notice how wide he is compared to the tank.

And here is one of them dressed next to a turkey. The turkey is on the right..Chicken on left.

 

[Ridgerunner]

My understanding is that you are talking about the pure Cornish breeds, not the Cornish X. Other than presentation with the white feathers, I think you will find the differences is due to the strain, not the color.

I think you understand what I mean because if your comment of hatcheries breeding for egg production. If a breeder of any color selects for size, configuration, feed to meat conversion, or early maturity as opposed to not selecting for some of those, you can get a wide range in "quality" from any color. It just depends in which birds the breeder decides to allow to breed.

 

[horsesNchicks]

Do you mean Cornish crosses for meat? Or pure Cornish rocks?

I made my own meat birds, I wanted some size on them..
I use a 20# propane tank as a reference for people with mine.
View attachment 1163154View attachment 1163155
Can I ask what you crossed to make your meat birds? They look wonderful.

The bird below went just under 20# Notice how wide he is compared to the tank. View attachment 1163160

And here is one of them dressed next to a turkey. The turkey is on the right..Chicken on left. View attachment 1163162

 

[Redhead Rae]

Do you mean Cornish crosses for meat? Or pure Cornish rocks?

I mean Cornish, White Cornish, Dark Cornish, White Laced Red Cornish, etc. Not Cornish rocks. Your birds look nice and meaty! What did you us in their breeding?

 

[N F C]

Do you mean Cornish crosses for meat? Or pure Cornish rocks?

I made my own meat birds, I wanted some size on them..
I use a 20# propane tank as a reference for people with mine.
View attachment 1163154View attachment 1163155


The bird below went just under 20# Notice how wide he is compared to the tank. View attachment 1163160

And here is one of them dressed next to a turkey. The turkey is on the right..Chicken on left. View attachment 1163162

Holy butterball Ralphie, that's a whopper of a chicken!

 

[duluthralphie]

Holy butterball Ralphie, that's a whopper of a chicken!

Those are Toads...The new meat breed.

They are great roasted, or smoked whole, or cut up and fried/baked. My wife and I can eat on roasted one for week or two. For their size they are extremely juicy.

 

[Redhead Rae]

I have a trio of LF Dark Cornish I'm considering. What do you guys think of them? The breeder says they are 6 months old and the pullets are about 6lb and the cockerel is 8.5-9lbs.

 

[Redhead Rae]

Any opinions on these birds?

 

[rjohns39]

Nice looking birds. Here's a write-up on what you're looking for, also they have a breeders list as well.

ETA: I do plan on getting some toads from Ralph in the spring.