Question about meaties

[Iheartmyhens]

I read somewhere in another post something that suggested that white meaties (no specific breed listed) can be unhealthy and naturally don't live long-can anyone elaborate on this?

I only have pet hens, and I turned a chance to get a couple of older California white chicks because I have heard white leghorn types can be very flighty.

Can anyone share with me the difference between meaties and California whites-are they the same? What are the possible health issues of meaties? Thx

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

the meaties you are hearing about are called cornish cross or cornish X. A quick search on this thread will turn up all of the answers to your questions and more. Leghorns are an entirely different breed and are not typicaly raised for meat as they are considered a laying breed, they do tend to be quite flighty for the most part.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

The cornish x rock broilers that are used for meat mature very quickly. Under poor management they will develop health issues due to their rapid growth. Typical problems are heart and leg failure... when birds grow to fast they usually express these two characteristics as the underlying cause of death.

However most broilers do not die of actual heart failure but from the side effects of it. The most common is ascites, which is a disease that is caused by heart failure. What virtually happens is the birds outgrow their lungs and the heart can not efficiently pump enough blood to the lungs to have it oxygenated. Because of the high metabolism of these birds there is a very high demand for oxygen to run the broilers and anything that alters the oxygen intake effects the heart. With the blood not getting enough oxygen, the ventricles of the heart swell and work harder to push more blood through the lungs which creates higher blood pressure. Due to this higher pressure, essentially the lungs fill up and travel backwards filling the heart up and next the liver and blood vessels. With excess blood in the liver and vessels it causes them to excrete a fluid into the cavity of the bird. The fluid pushes on the abdominal air sacs causing respiration to not occur. The bird basically dies of suffocation.

Leg problems are due to lack of exercise, the birds get so big that they outgrow their joints and it makes walking difficult.

Controlling these issues are extremely avoidable. Slower growth promotes the organs, joints, and bones to grow without much strain.


California whites are layers...... and used solely for eggs. Cornish x Rocks "meaties" are used solely for meat.

 

[Buster52]

Quote:
They are talking about Cornish Rock Cross commercial broilers and yes they are and no they can't (generally speaking).

Just two of a long list of reasons why I won't raise them.

My opinion, of course, but not an altogether uninformed one, contrary to what you will shortly no doubt hear.

 

[SteveH]

I have to agree with Buster ; meaties aren't bred to become part of a backyard flock , and given the same care as any other chicken will not thrive . You can load your feeders with a weeks worth of feed and any other chicken will eat some then wander away to find something more interesting . Cornish X developers have been very successful at breeding a bird that doesn't back away from the dinner table

and people raising them have to learn how to manage them . They can be raised in pasture pens and not pushed for optimum growth and do well , as Jeff Brunty is very experienced at . Most hatcheries warn of the high protein diet necessary for optimum growth along with the need for 12 hr on / 12 hr off feed schedule . The quickest growing strains can't handle high altitude , thin air conditions . There are strains offered that take two or three weeks longer to slaughter and don't need as regimented care [ more like the strains I was around as a child ] , but again they aren't bred to become a backyard flock . On the other hand , no other chicken can equal them in turning grain into very high quality meat efficiently . In a sence , they're like a broad breasted turkey in that they are bred soley for the purpose of the dinner table ; major difference is that they do it more effiiciently at the price of their longevity . BBT's can be AIed to reproduce , CX parent lines breed naturally if raised under controlled conditions but have reached the end of their productivity shortly after their first year .

 

[Iheartmyhens]

Thanks everybody, that was great info!

In a couple of years when I look to add a few more younger hens to my backyard flock, I won't shy away from picking up a California white if I get the chance...

 

[willheveland]

The cornish x are really like christmas trees, developed for quick growth and an early harvest. A meat developed and raised for consumption doesn't need to have a long lifespan. They are perfect for what they are intended for. Will

 

[Buster52]

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[Brunty_Farms]

I know right...