Pure bred Cornish info

[bigz1983]

Anyone on here raise and own pure bred Cornish chickens(not the commercial hybrid)?

I was just wondering how much better is the meat than a standard dual purpose chicken like say a Plymouth barred rock? More breast meat?

How's their egg production? Good layers?

I read that they don't do well in cold climates and I live in Michigan it gets real cold. How well could they handle Michigan temps? What kind of coop would be best for them in Michigan?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Terrible layers... wouldn't be my choice.
https://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Cornish-B39.aspx

My favorite dual purpose birds for meat are Marans and Wyandotte (for flavor, but I don't care for raising the Wyandottes to broody). Naked Neck Turken are also pretty good. Hatchery birds will NOT often give you the same qualities as a decent breeder who makes selections to better their birds with a purpose. It's almost always worth the extra $'s. But if I were gonna get from hatchery I would order a BUNCH of them and cull the ones that aren't measuring up growth or attitude wise ... keeping the tasty looking ones to breed future generations from.

Orpington grew WAY to slow. If I was gonna do Rocks... I like the White Rocks (over barred and I haven't raised partridge) seem to have fantastic growth. And believe it or not... Ameraucana can make good DP birds as well. I like eating! But I also like pretty birds... and since I raise want I want... we even eat our extra Silkie boys. Speckled Sussex aren't the largest, but they are so pretty and pluck just a touch easier than my Marans...

I would say in a cold area... a coop with plenty of ventilation is key... moisture settling on combs is what causes frost bite. No personal experience, but should be lots of folks on here that do.

Good luck with your adventure!