Breaking myths not legs!
Yes! Cornish-cross chickens CAN live longer and healthier lives...
It's a common belief that Cornish Cross chickens' legs will break or their hearts "explode" if they live longer than 8-12 weeks. However, this is simply not true. In fact, with proper care and a nutritious diet, these birds can live much longer and still be healthy and happy.
As evidence, here's a photos of our own Cornish Cross chickens that are almost a year old (the white ones). Little FarmHer Rayeuk keeps them around because through a summer of raising and teaching butcher classes she happened to get attached to two of the feisty ones that refused to be caught. They are still walking around just fine and enjoying their free-range lifestyle. In fact, they are thriving on a diet of high-quality feed we give them made up of "spent mash grains" from local breweries, whatever thatcan scratch up around the farm, fresh water, and plenty of space to move around.
Look at those strong, not broken legs!
The thing is, according to a study by the University of Arkansas, Cornish Cross chickens can live up to 10 years or more with good care. Additionally, the idea that their legs will break is a misconception based on the fact that they are bred for fast growth, which can definitely lead to leg problems if not managed properly. But the solution for that is simple, just feed them properly!
They are also decidedly not lab created genetically modified Frankenbirds! Cornish Cross chickens are simply a hybrid breed (think mutt) created by crossing a Cornish chicken with a White Plymouth Rock chicken. (Kinda like a labradoodle or one of those other "newer" pup breeds) The breed was developed in the 1950s by a poultry geneticist named Dr. Robert C. Baker at Cornell University. Dr. Baker was seeking to create a chicken that would grow quickly and have a high meat-to-bone ratio, in order to meet the growing demand for poultry meat in the United States.
The result was the Cornish Cross chicken, which quickly became one of the most popular breeds for commercial meat production. Cornish Cross chickens grow at an astonishing rate, reaching their full size in just 8-12 weeks. They are also known for their large size and plump, juicy meat, making them a favorite among consumers and poultry farmers alike.
If you're considering raising Cornish Cross chickens do it! We just did! We have 50 coming any day now!
It's important to know that they can be a great addition to your flock with proper care and attention. Providing them with a healthy diet, clean living conditions, and enough space to move around can help prevent leg problems and ensure a long and happy life.
So don't be discouraged by the myths you've heard about Cornish Cross chickens. With a little knowledge and effort, you can raise these birds successfully and enjoy their company for years to come should they not make it to the freezer. And, if you aren't wanting to raise them but you're looking for a source for pasture raised chicken, keep in touch! Ours will be grown,, ready and looking for a freezer soon enough! And we would LOVE to help you put ethically raised meat on your family's table!
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