How is it possible? Talking about Cornish X

[tadkerson]

It is my understanding that there are 4 lines that are used to produce the terminal cornish cross. Two lines for the female side of the cross and two lines for the male side of the cross.

line a female X line b male = ab male ( breeder )

line c female X line d male = cd female (breeder)

ab male X cd female = terminal meat bird

As was stated earlier, the females are feed a regimented diet. You have to feed them enough to develop their organs properly but not too much as to make them poor egg layers. Breeders have to produce eggs or they become food. If they produce too much fat, they will prolapse when they start to lay or the excessive fat will effect their ability to go through their ovarian cycle.

Tim

 

[karabbitry]

Yep that is how I understand the lines which produce the terminal crosses.

No I don't have pictures of the breeders that I know of. I will have to look through some stacks and see if I do, but don't think so.

 

[blackdotte]

Names - Dark Cornish (red with black double lacing) in USA & Canada, Dark Indian Game (red with black double lacing) in the Rest of the World.
Cornish Hen is a meat bird.
Our Indian Game are as long lived as any breed, make good broodies and lay reasonably well.
David

 

[ghulst]

It all is done with feeding and you could also do. Feed is very limited and they will grow and produce like regular chickens. I handle many cornishX every week at Townline. We ship cornishX every week. You can get then at www.townlinehatchery.com

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Quote:
I know I'm being picky here, but "Cornish Hen" is just a young broiler bird. It's a bird that's approximately 3-4 weeks old. They are the same as all other broilers but were just processed earlier. And, the "hen" is just a falsity. The bird is either a male or female...it's a rip-off. Well, that's my opinion of it.

Cornish X
Cornish Cross
Broiler bird

All are names for the same thing.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

I actually have two cornish cross hens that are approaching 1 year. I got them just two months ago from some people who had "free ranged only" for the first 8 months. These girls weigh 20 lbs apiece and that's from free ranging! It takes both arms to pick one up.
They are both laying; one lays an egg a day, and the other about three a week with at least one double yolker in there.
Thinking it would be cool to try to slow that growth down a bit, and get a bird that is big and fast growing (on free ranging?) but can live through the reproductive cycle, I decided on a tall Black Copper Maran to try to breed with them. The first ten eggs went into the bator Monday so we will see at the end of the week if they are even fertile. I know he is trying to do his job but these girls are shaped differently so we'll see.

 

[Ryu]

Quote:
Thats weird normally they don't go broody and are not good-layers

You may have them confused with another breed. Standard Cornish aren't great layers, but often they lay reasonably well, for the first couple of years, anyway. But they are well known for being very broody. My best brooders are a pair of dark Cornish hens, and some light Brahma hens. All LF, no bantams.

dancingbear--my experience with Standard Dark Exhibition Cornish is the same. I get 4-5 large brown eggs a week when they are in season. My hens are very broody.

You can have birds that breed naturally or not, just depends on the look you are going for. I have had hens reject a roo and not let him breed. Put him in another pen and he's perfectly fertile. They seem to naturally seek out a mate and stick with them. I've had 5 adult roos and their mates together all fall and winter out with the laying flock and their roo with no problems. It's kind of cute watching the roo squire his hen around.