Cornish Cross Broiler Hatching Eggs
Cornish Cross Broiler eggs are white, medium-sized eggs that will produce Cornish Cross Broiler chicks. Purely Poultry guarantees our eggs to be a minimum of 80% fertile upon candling prior to hatch. This ensures you have the best possibility to reach the standard 60% hatch rate. Due to variables beyond our control, we do NOT guarantee a hatch rate.
The Cornish Cross Broiler is the class meat chicken. These are the same type of chicken that is used in most commercial operations. Cornish Cross are efficient - probably the most efficient – meat bird. Most feed conversion evaluations will show these birds reaching 4.5 pounds on less than 8 pounds of feed within 6 weeks of age.
Cornish Cross Broilers are large fowl, with all white coloring, red combs and wattles, and yellow beaks and legs. They are broad and wide birds, providing ample amounts of delicious meat. Legs are thick and spaced widely. Wings are short and lightly feathered. When viewed from overhead, they look heart-shaped.
Production: The Cornish Cross Broiler is a perfect choice for anyone growing chickens for meat. These birds are docile, large, and slow-moving, and that means they are not good at avoiding predators. They need an extra safe environment but do well in confined quarters. We have other options for people looking for meat birds that do better in pastured environments.
With Cornish Cross broilers, you can get 6-7 pound birds in 8 weeks by providing feed at all times or free-feeding. But you can also grow them up slower by not free feeding, and instead of offering a morning meal and then encouraging light ranging in a safe, enclosed area. They are not interested in wandering very far and can be easily gathered back up at dusk and offered another evening meal. By doing this, you can expect 5-pound birds at 9 weeks of age. The diversity of foods and slower growth make for nutrient-dense and truly deliciously flavored meat. Using a chicken tractor-style enclosure would be great for Cornish Cross. You can also keep them contained with low-style fencing as they do not fly at all.
Females grow a bit slower than males. If you are looking to grow some "Cornish Game Hens," female Cornish Crosses can be grown out as "Cornish Game Hens," by feeding a slightly higher protein broiler ration (21-23%) and harvesting at 4-5 weeks when the birds are 2-2.5 pounds. They will be tender and plump roasting birds.
Incubation
Cornish Cross Broiler Hatching Eggs can be successfully hatched in any incubator in the same way as other Hatching Eggs. Please check out our Incubation Instructions for everything you need to know for successful incubation and hatching.
Once your Cornish Cross Broiler Chicks Hatch:
Clean and dry bedding is imperative for Cornish Cross Chicks. Cornish Cross Broilers grow extremely quickly and don't have any room for many mistakes. Make sure that your chicks have constant access to clean water. Use a fresh, high-quality feed and be mold-free. Every day after your eggs hatch should count positively to optimal, healthy growth. Chick Starter ration is recommended for the first 4-5 weeks, then change to Broiler-Grower ration from 5 weeks to processing.
Leg problems can be an issue with these fast-growing birds, which is usually because the birds grow too big too fast. One way to prevent leg problems and other developmental problems caused by too fast growth is to avoid free feeding. Offer your chicks a free choice Chick Starter ration for their first 5 days. But after that, you can make the feed available for 12 hours on and then for 12 hours off. This practice helps their bones keep up with their increasing body weight.
A Note on Genetics: A Cornish Cross Hatching Egg is more than the result of crossing a Cornish and a Plymouth Rock. The Cornish Cross Broiler Hatching Eggs we offer are scientifically bred to produce these highly efficient production birds. They are not genetically modified. They are naturally mated hybrids.
Temperament: Cornish Cross Broiler Chickens are calm and docile, mostly interested in eating. They are not good foragers and not very active, spending much of their time sitting around the feeders after 4 weeks of age. Clean, dry flooring or bedding is important, so the birds do not develop blisters or bruises on the breast. Be extra diligent about predator protection. They are easy to contain, do well in small enclosures, and are not difficult to handle.
