First Run of Cornish Cross Meat Birds and Super Excited!

[duluthralphie]

Over here there is always a lot of debates about which parent gives what quality to there offspring.
In general it is said that the male passes on egg laying and female body shape / meat yield.
But if this was entirely the case we would never use Cornish males in our crosses only Cornish hens.

What you guys think ?

I think that is an over simplification of chicken genetics. What the "experts" say does not always occur. If it was just one gene controlling body size and type what you're saying might make sense. It is not. There are 2 genes for every trait. Many traits have more than 2 genes controlling them.

I had a CLB rooster that had pea comb, if you listen the experts they say two single combed parents cannot make a pea combed chick. It happened. I understand as well as anyone what the punnett square shows us. I also know there are exceptions. mutations and injuries that can do anything..

So basically, I say "nah, using all hens would not do it,...."

 

[JRNash]

The only thing we know for a fact,is we DON'T know everything.

 

[Turk Raphael]

I need to get pictures of mine. They are getting huge.

Today is Bert's pedicure day. I am going to try and do a major trim on his spurs. They are getting way too long. Hopefully, the hens will thank me.

I am thinking 5 out of 6 of Bert's babies are roosters. Not what I wanted.

Easiest and neatest way we have found...Dremel using wood blade ONLY !!!! We cut them down to about 1/4 inch and the blade cauterizes them...no blood. The blades for metal get too hot and I fear to use them.

 

[JRNash]

I've been casting my eye over the minions,trying to decide who is on the freezer camp bus. It's hard. I'm leaning towards processing all of the Scx,dorking and around 50 of the various hybrids. I pulled 4 of the dark cornish (have two more to catch) and placed them back in the high protein group. They had escaped for a couple of days.lol

 

[JRNash]

I've been culling heavily on the white birds and its finally becoming noticeable in the general population. I've been moving forward with the dark cornish and barred rock crosses.

 

[duluthralphie]

Easiest and neatest way we have found...Dremel using wood blade ONLY !!!! We cut them down to about 1/4 inch and the blade cauterizes them...no blood. The blades for metal get too hot and I fear to use them.

Excellent Idea, I assume you mean the vibrating dremel. or are you talking the old rotary one?

I am not going to do it for the next few days. I am just hoping everyone makes it through the heat spell we have coming. The stress of trimming could kill Bert.

 

[duluthralphie]

I've been culling heavily on the white birds and its finally becoming noticeable in the general population. I've been moving forward with the dark cornish and barred rock crosses.

This is kind of amazing. I was looking at mine last night, the pure white ones seem to be the ones that are weaker in the legs and more intolerant to the heat.

 

[Turk Raphael]

As my good luck seems to continue. along with a bunch of White Chanteclers and some aged NN hens, I ended up with something like 2 pure Dark Cornish chicks and five .75 DC/.25 DCX chicks, one of which is solid black from Linda's breeding, bought by my dad...out of Shorty over Angel. I feel quite content and will take pictures soon.

These are some fine looking chicks for about 4 weeks of age...(I'll have to get the exact age and weights). It's very pleased I am. I have the start I wanted with more under strong consideration from Linda....gotta' decide if and what soon...not fair stringing her along.

 

[Turk Raphael]

Excellent Idea, I assume you mean the vibrating dremel. or are you talking the old rotary one?

I am not going to do it for the next few days. I am just hoping everyone makes it through the heat spell we have coming. The stress of trimming could kill Bert.

Rotating!

ETA: This is not major. Wouldn't do it in the late afternoon sun but in a cool room, AM...the bird would be fine. For good measure, dip legs in ice water..

 

[JRNash]

This is kind of amazing. I was looking at mine last night, the pure white ones seem to be the ones that are weaker in the legs and more intolerant to the heat.

feather picking is also an issue with the white birds.And let's not forget about predation. The white birds are on everyone's hit list