What if I don't butcher a Cornish X?

[brettzim]

I accidentally became the proud owner of a 2-week old Cornish X that has some leg trouble. What happens if you don't butcher these birds? Do they get to a point where they can't walk? I am astonished at how fast she is growing. It's almost gross actually.

 

[nbenevento]

I am pretty sure they will die of a heart attack if you don't process them. They are genetically made to be butchered and that's why they grow so fast. You aren't doing it any favors by not processing it.

 

[BCMaraniac]

I accidentally became the proud owner of a 2-week old Cornish X that has some leg trouble. What happens if you don't butcher these birds? Do they get to a point where they can't walk? I am astonished at how fast she is growing. It's almost gross actually.

Leg problems are a MAJOR problem with these birds. And yes, they can get to a point that they can't walk. Feeding them 12 hrs on and 12 hours off instead of free choice helps some with that because they don't grow as fast.

These birds are bred to have very large breasts, and to grow very quickly. Because of this they are susceptible to congestive heart failure, and those who sell them basically will tell you that it is inhumane NOT to butcher them.

If you can't butcher it yourself, I am sure you could find someone who would. I hope this helps.

 

[mattsinger]

I raised 4...and lost one yesterday at just about 9 weeks old. its obvious looking at them that they arent a bird that will see a long life

 

[brettzim]

OK, thank you for the feedback. I am unfamiliar with these guys and appreciate advice from those of you who have better knowledge in this area.

 

[jerseyrooster]

Ive had them live well over a yr and actually start laying

 

[lauranickerson]

When I was a kid, by dad bought a bunch along with some straight run laying breeds. When time came to butcher the Cornish, we begged him not to because they were our 'pets.' They ended up living, but they were obviously miserable. Hens never layed (and we had them for a few years), and I know this because they were so fat they couldn't jump more than their own height and definitely couldn't get into the nesting boxes...with no eggs ever on the ground.

The roosters got absolutely massive. I've never in my life seen a chicken that big. Bigger than our Pekin duck, and probably about as fat as a turkey, minus the long extremities.

They all could walk (surprisingly) but when they ran, they looked ridiculous. Their legs couldn't bend, so just imagine that. Haha. Another problem was that the hens couldn't run away fast enough, and the roosters (cornish and the other breeds we had) would mate with them so much that they had gaping holes in their necks (that healed). We always separated the hens and roosters, but the light roosters could jump over and would mate with the cornish because they couldn't run away.

I refused to eat my pets after he slaughtered them after a few years, but other than my dad burning them all on the grill, he said they were incredibly tough. (I'm older and wiser now, and wouldn't have a problem eating my chickens...which I plan to do when I cull my 10 roosters

).


Moral of the story, butcher them. They will be miserable if you don't.