Is it true about Cornish Rock Game hens?

[linda2012]

I want to start get some Cornish Rock Game hens & a rooster to start breeding my own. But I was told by someone who was selling some chicks and she said that you have to kill them by the time they reach 15 weeks or they will have heart attacks and die. They are genetically engineered to be to be killed by 8 - 12 weeks. Is this true? How are you suppose to ever raise your own? Can someone give me some knowledge?
Thanks

 

[J-Sanders]

Well your friend is sort of right. The CX does have a very strong tendency to short lives and due to the large breast development natural breeding is not easy or without complications. But there are breeder flocks otherwise you would not see any chicks.

If you want to make your own CX chicks well this thread is a good place to start: How do you make CX chickens?

Jim

 

[donrae]

Wander over to the meat bird section and check out the multiple threads there about raising your own cornish cross. Lots of info there.

 

[linda2012]

Thank u. That was very helpful. Oh well so much for breeding my own.