Meat birds/ breeds and Hatchery/ Florida

[jjaazzy]

Does anyone have a best choice for Hatchery for the Cornish x? Years back I got some ranger meat birds, First off it freaked me out that they looked like regular chickens some were red some were black. Second they didn't mature quick like the Cornish either which also freaked me out thinking they sent me regular chickens. I waited and waited and they never really matured plump. We finally processed them and they were tough and skinny just like regular chickens. I quit at that point. I wasn't that impressed at that time with the White meat birds I got. They seemed tough, so I need some advice what to buy and where. We process enough roosters to keep up with the needs to share and have plenty for soups and such. But I would like to try again, since I have everything I need. I want a truly supermarket soft chicken. Anyone have any suggestions. I see some hatcheries are already out.

 

[Egg Snatcher]

Mcmurry hatchery

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I used Hoover, by way of TSC last year (honestly, it wa stake what you can get or go home w/o last year). I was *NOT* impressed. Though management methods raising CX are extremely important too, its not all about the Hatchery (who in some cases sell the same birds from the same breeders under their own umbrella).

That said, @OPA Acres posted this thread a couple months ago, about CX from Cackle. The weights were damned impressive for the age. Possibly they can assist further, not only with the hatchery recommend but also the management method.

 

[CNJ]

I got some healthy Jumbo Cornish X from Murrray MccMurray Hatchery. I kept some pullets alive, they going on 4 months and they look like they can be used for parent stock. However, I processed all the males at 8 weeks old, they were to big for breeding in my opinion.. Anyway, I don't like breeding brother and sister.

I just check the availability, they have plenty for sale.
https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/jumbo_cornish_x_rocks.html

I also, ordered two dark cornish males with my order and I just caught one of them today. He was really filled in at 4 months old, much better than other heritage breeds and their crow is not as loud and irritating as Breese roosters.

 

[OPA Acres]

I used Hoover, by way of TSC last year (honestly, it wa stake what you can get or go home w/o last year). I was *NOT* impressed. Though management methods raising CX are extremely important too, its not all about the Hatchery (who in some cases sell the same birds from the same breeders under their own umbrella).

That said, @OPA Acres posted this thread a couple months ago, about CX from Cackle. The weights were damned impressive for the age. Possibly they can assist further, not only with the hatchery recommend but also the management method.

Thank you for the mention! I did order 25 jumbo cornish cross from Cackle. They gave us 30 and 29 made it to butcher. It was our first time, and they are delicious.

The link posted above by @U_Stormcrow to my thread does include an update with all of the details of how we did it. Our chicks were hatched 5/26 and we live on the Missouri/Iowa border (weather relevant).

We plan to do more next year and have offered to do chickens for/with friends and family... because it was that easy and successful!