Standard Purebred Cornish with a Chantecler? I am thinking ahead to 2012. I am getting hatching eggs from these two breeds with the intention of breeding my own meat bird flock (and of course breeding some awesome new birds). Crazy I know to be thinking a whole year ahead.

What would you think would be a better combination:

Cornish roo X Chantie hen

Chantie roo X Cornish hen

Probably get more eggs from the Chanti hen.

In the days before hybrids, the meat producers used to cross cornish onto various birds. Dorking, Orpington, Plymouth Rocks. The Cornish was always the roo because they got more eggs (and thus more chicks) that way.

Sorry I don't have any ideas for you but it sounds great! I am always intrigued by people making their own meat birds! We have always lost chicks when buying meat bird chicks, but have yet to lose a heritage chick.

I always wanted to try crossing a cornish roo onto Naked Neck hens. Less plucking that way.

I have had cornish crossed with Marans and Rhode Island Red, can't say I was very impressed. BUT I don't have brilliant white cornish either....

When I seen the title just had to look lol

barryk wrote:When I seen the title just had to look lol

hahahahahha!

We are really interested in being self sufficient with our flock. The other meat breed that we are very interested in trying out is TruNorth's Mistral Gris. I can't wait until she sells chicks and hatching eggs!

Thanks Fowler, I hadn't thought about egg production. You're right that we will get more eggs from the Chantie girls. I love the idea of less plucking - I can't look at the Naked Necks without giggling

You took the words right out of my mouth. This year I have Partridge Chantie chicks and a Dark Cornish rooster. so this fall I was going to cross the two for meat birds. I also have Black Penedesenca chicks that I am also going to try crossing to the Cornish roo. What cross do you guys think will make the better meat bird?

Hackmatack Ridge, that is so neat. I am getting White Cornish and crossing with White Chanties. It will be fun to compare next year!

Yeah it will be cool to compare your white chantie X white cornish to my partridge chantie X dark cornish. I must remember this topic when I start hatching them.

We should take pictures too. Too bad we're on opposite sides of the country!