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Cornish cross is something completely different. They are bred to be fast growing meat birds that are meant to be butchered by about 8 weeks of age. If their diet isn't carefully controlled, they can have heart attacks and their skeletal system can break down. Purebred Cornish are slower growing and have much tighter, closer feather growth. Your typical Cornish cross will have a single comb whereas a purebred Cornish has a rose comb (I think, don't have my standard handy to check). Cornish crosses are usually only white whereas purebred Cornish come in white, white laced red, and dark varieties. Purebred Cornish will have the wide stance and heavy legs you see in the crosses and they will develop into a very heavy bird for their size. I've really liked the Cornish I've had in the past, not so much the crosses though.
Good post with good info! I'd only add that Cornish Crosses can come in red as well. They are rarer because they don't grow quite as fast as the whites. But I think that's more humane anyway, imo.
Cornish cross is something completely different. They are bred to be fast growing meat birds that are meant to be butchered by about 8 weeks of age. If their diet isn't carefully controlled, they can have heart attacks and their skeletal system can break down. Purebred Cornish are slower growing and have much tighter, closer feather growth. Your typical Cornish cross will have a single comb whereas a purebred Cornish has a rose comb (I think, don't have my standard handy to check). Cornish crosses are usually only white whereas purebred Cornish come in white, white laced red, and dark varieties. Purebred Cornish will have the wide stance and heavy legs you see in the crosses and they will develop into a very heavy bird for their size. I've really liked the Cornish I've had in the past, not so much the crosses though.
Good post with good info! I'd only add that Cornish Crosses can come in red as well. They are rarer because they don't grow quite as fast as the whites. But I think that's more humane anyway, imo.
