I have done some research on what breeds mixed together will make up the cornish cross hybrid. What I have found is that you have to have a Straight Cornish Hen and breed her with a White Rock Rooster. To the best of my knowledge and several different web sites this is true, but if anyone knows anything different, please let me know. (I am not sure if the standard buff, dark, white laced red cornish is uses or what the result would be....is there a white cornish?)
There are a couple of different problems we are having and questions we have. One is which type of pure cornish is used for this mixed breed? Where do you find them to buy? (I found some at Ideal, but not sure which one we need), and do they grow like a regular heavy breed chicken or do they have the traits of a cornish x meat bird? (eating a ton and growing really fast)
I would appreciate any advice or knowledge anyone has to share on this. DH is REALLY wanting to know this, so we can get started with the chicks and raise them the right way, and start breeding them and hatching eggs for next year. Thank you!
Christy
?'s about breeding cornish ..........
My book says the same: Cross the White Cornish with the White Plymouth Rock. I think the preference for white comes from the fact that the white pin feathers do not mar the appearance of the finished broiler. I am sure Perdue etc have proprietary strains of both breeds, but that may not mean anything except they can handle them better in a commercial factory environment. I thinks the squat meaty character comes from the Cornish and probably hybrid vigor from crossing with the WPR.
Let us know how it works.
you don't have to do white. go to welphatchery.com and they have several differeent color cornishs listed... cross them with whatever Rocks you already have?