Which gender is better for meat birds?

[amyquilt]

Am looking at McMurray's Cornish X Rock for meat birds. Which gender does better, makes for better eating???

THANKS!!

 

[amyquilt]

No one can answer this for me ????

 

[Ladysonja]

From everything I have read on this subject, most use the Cornish X Rock for their meat birds.

Hopefully someone with more experience will answer your question, because I would like to know as well.

Good Luck

 

[wyliefarms]

Hi,

We use Hoovers Hatchery in Iowa for our meat chickens. They have a Cornish Cross and the price is very reasonable.

Cornish Cross chickens are bred for quick growing and then fast in the freezer and less of a feed bill.

I get a straight run when I order. The boys are usually bigger than the girls at processing time.
This is nice for us to have a little size difference when cooking them up.

If you ordered all boys then you could process them sooner, since they grow faster.

If you ordered all girls then you could process some early as 3 weeks for cornish game hens and grow the rest out to desired size.

We raise our straight run for 9 weeks and after processes they average 5 lbs.

I hope this helps.
Sarah

 

[Peruvian]

I think that you will find that the males grow faster, but I'm with wylie, I like the variation in sizes when I go to the freezer depending on how we are cooking the bird.

 

[carousel]

I ordered straight run and I will see how it goes! my 8 Cornish X that come in a bit under 2 weeks will be my first try at meat birds. I'm starting to get cold feet!!!!!

Fall in western Oregon is often dry not too hot and cool nights. I can see the only thing that might make this go bad will be a wet fall.
I figure w/ a ship date of Sept 3rd I will take them to the processor on either Oct 18th, 25 or Nov 1
I figure it it is not going well and the weather is terrible, or I can't manage the smell to a reasonable level etc. I can always take them earlier. But normally sept/oct.
I'm honestly planning on using the meat birds as gifts for family and friends this Christmas, they will get a bird and a dozen eggs. Not bad for living in town! Again since I live in town I need to keep things on a small scale.
So for me this is more about "me" being responsible for my then being a good financial option <g>.

 

[MissPrissy]

I buy cockerals. They grower bigger quicker. Last year my jumbo cornish from MM weighed in at 10 - 13 lbs EACH. Like small turkeys. They were delicious.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
I'm not sure anyone read your question or understands the definition of gender.

Young hens have the reputation of being the best broilers so I assume
the hens will taste better. In reality I doubt you will notice the difference.

Roosters do get larger so they are usually more expensive. Get a straight
run so you can compare taste for yourself.

If taste is a big concern you may want to try Range Broilers from jmhatchery.com.

Best of luck.

 

[greyfields]

It makes no difference. You can hardly tell them apart at processing age. Neither costs more to raise. There simply is no reason to not do a straight-run, unless your weird and picky about chickens.

 

[amyquilt]

Thanks all!! We're going to do straight run and may also do some of the range broilers from JM next time.