when will we stop calling them "cornish cross"?

[enel 1]

I don't know why we still refer to broilers as Cornish cross,that couldn't be further from the truth. Calling a broiler a "Cornish x" to me is like calling any other chicken by its original breeding. The birds, company's like Cobb/Vantress or Hubbard have are as close to a Cornish as a Cornish is to an Asil. these company's have birds that are pure breed and pedigreed,they have pedigree names such as Hubbards male line the "M99 or the M77" they have a list of different females for different growth rates such as the "Hubbard classic,the Flex,JA57,redbro M,just to name a few. Cobb has its own special pedigreed lines also like the "Avian48, Cobb500 and 700,their colored "range" bird breeder is called the Cobb Sasso150, now all these birds are PURE breed and pedigreed birds NOT "Cornish crosses"!! when these birds are bred together the resulting offspring is the modern BROILER. these company's NEVER refer to their birds as Cornish cross in any descriptions. so lets all PLEASE refer to these birds as what they are and that is :BROILERS (or meat birds ). thought I would just get that off my chest.

 

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

I agree completely!

The Commercial Broilers we purchase from hatcheries is so far from a Cornish Cross that it isn't even funny. It would be like calling a Ford Taurus a Model T.

 

[jrsckn]

I prefer the term "meatie"

but I agree, there are recognized dog breeds with less history than meat birds lol.

By the way, I'm fairly new to chickens so I was wondering, is meatie an acceptable term or is it considered more derogatory or infantile. I own american pit bull terriers and absolutely hate it when they're called "pitties"

 

[ChickenJerk]

When I judge(d) production classes at fairs and junior exhibition birds anytime an exhibitor uses the terms: Cornish X, meaties, girls, banty or roo they immediately are at a disadvantage with me. Outdated names that are not a part of the appropriate vernacular anymore that the baby talk.

But then I was raised by a woman who never referred to young humans as "kids." To her that was the proper term for young goats and totally inappropriate when referring to children.

But as long as the mail order hatcheries use the term Cornish Cross it will endure. Even though I wish they would stop promoting the term with their powerful influence on the backyard poultry person I would prefer even more that the totally incorrect advice that broiler chickens should be fed 12/12 or at these high levels of crude protein.

 

[enel 1]

from what I read broilers are bred to do well on 18% feed(I think I read that on Hubbard's site) I feed mine Purina flock raiser (20%) and they do great. Maybe we should call them Cobb cross,as I'm sure most of our broilers come from them. So I feed my "Cobb cross broilers" 20% with constant feed in the feeder. I haven't had any leg issues or "flip" My birds come from Dunlap,I think they sell a slightly slower growing strain so they usually dress out around 5lb at 9 weeks or so. I'm sure the term "Cornish cross"will endure but we can at least make a change on this forum,by educating other posters as to the inaccuracy of the term.

 

[jrsckn]

When I judge(d) production classes at fairs and junior exhibition birds anytime an exhibitor uses the terms: Cornish X, meaties, girls, banty or roo they immediately are at a disadvantage with me. Outdated names that are not a part of the appropriate vernacular anymore that the baby talk.

Thanks, that's what I figured lol. I saw the term meatie thrown around a lot so I started using it because it was shorter than cornish cross but broiler does seem more appropriate.

 

[Fred's Hens]

It will be a looooong uphill climb on all such terminology, I'm afraid. The list of mis-applied vernacular is pretty lengthy. The broilers aren't the only example. Hatcheries indeed post information on the birds they are selling in odd, strange and some might say, inaccurate ways. New Hampshire Reds, when there is no such breed, Rhode Island Whites with single combs, instead of the proper rose comb??? Where to begin?

Boy, girl, chickie, roo, etc, what was called "baby talk" above, I wasn't sure, but there's so much more. Rooster instead of cockerel for a young male, hen instead of pullet for a young female, crowns or cones instead of combs. Sharing your frustration, a bit, but swimming upstream is tiring work. The sheer number of posters who come and go dilutes just about realistic chance at much reformation. Perhaps one continues to just plod along, instructing through good example? Some say it is all much ado about nothing. I sure do not have an answer.

 

[Oregon Blues]

So what? They may be far removed from the original Cornish, but if you say Cornish Cross I know exactly what type of bird you are speaking about.

If you call them "Broilers" there are multiple types of broilers and they differ quite a bit. Different colors, different growth rates, different muscle structure, even different methods of raising and different feed requirements.

The same with "meaties". That could be any sort of "broiler". See above.

Cornish Cross just happens to be what that particular type of chicken is called. The world is full of misleading names for animals. I assure you, the Australian Shepherd did not come from Australia at any time of its development. But that is what it is called and if I call it Australian Shepherd, anyone who knows anything about dogs knows what breed I am referring to. It's clarity of communication, not genetic accuracy.

 

[Sundown_Farmer]

Well, we could call them a "Ross 308" or whatever but that doesn't roll off the keyboard as well as "Cx"

They are cornish-ish-rock-ish-ish if you squint your eyes...

 

[WinklerFarms]

It will be a looooong uphill climb on all such terminology, I'm afraid.  The list of mis-applied vernacular is pretty lengthy.  The broilers aren't the only example.    Hatcheries indeed post information on the birds they are selling in odd, strange and some might say, inaccurate ways.  New Hampshire Reds, when there is no such breed, Rhode Island Whites with single combs, instead of the proper rose comb???  Where to begin?

Boy, girl, chickie, roo, etc, what was called "baby talk" above, I wasn't sure, but there's so much more.  Rooster instead of cockerel for a young male, hen instead of pullet for a young female, crowns or cones instead of combs.  Sharing your frustration, a bit, but swimming upstream is tiring work.  The sheer number of posters who come and go dilutes just about realistic chance at much reformation.   Perhaps one continues to just plod along, instructing through good example?  Some say it is all much ado about nothing.  I sure do not have an answer.  

New hamps are recognized by the standard And have been since 1935. How can there be no such breed as you say if it is recognized?