Pure Cornish

[Laskaland]

Why does the broiler inductry cross Cornish with Rocks? What do the rocks give the cornish when crossed? Would there be any benefit to raising pure cornish? Would they have the same feed conversion ratio?
Thanks guys and gals
christina

OR could it be crossed with a larger breed, say...RIR or Orps to make a larger meaty bird that still laid eggs? Has anyone done this?

 

[moduckman]

A read somewhere that the rocks provide the size. The cornish provides the girth.

 

[Laskaland]

So, I wonder... if I crossed the Cornish hen with a Buff Orp...

Could the hen live long enough if fed in a strict ration, to reproduce naturally?

Are the hens a bantam or are they full/standard size?
Thanks, friends
christina

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

The Rock also gives the egg production that Cornish birds simply do not have.

But, the White Rock that is used in broiler lines is FAR different than hatchery stock birds that you and I can received from any hatchery other than Cobb-Vantress.

 

[Laskaland]

Quote:
Really? How are they different? Isn't a rock a rock?
Thanks
Christina

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

No, some birds are bred for different reasons:

Rocks for broiler crosses are bred heavily for meat production. They are bred so that they have a nice large breast, however, they also must produce enough eggs so that chicks can be hatched. They do not lay NEARLY the same amount of eggs that hatchery (Ideal, Stromberg's etc.) can lay in the same time frame.

Exhibition White Rocks are bred for conformation purposes and might have a decreased egg-production because of their larger size. But, these breeders are breeding for conformation, NOT meat. They are breeding for "dual-purpose" reasons. The original reason for the Plymouth Rock. They will lay more eggs than their broiler-bred counterparts.

 

[Laskaland]

Quote:
Good info. Thank you
Christina