Cornish Cross (meat hybrid)
Also called Cornish Rock, Jumbo Cornish Cross, Cornish Cross broiler
The Cornish Cross is a fast-growing commercial meat hybrid, not a laying breed. Birds reach processing weight in roughly 6 to 8 weeks on high-protein feed. Kept too long, they develop health problems because they grow faster than their bodies can support.
Cornish Cross (meat hybrid) is a meat bird, not a layer. It grows very fast and is raised for meat in a few weeks; it is not a good pet or egg hen.
Traits
- Temperament
- docile
- Origin
- United States (commercial cross of White Cornish x White Plymouth Rock)
- Bantam size
- No
- APA standard
- Not recognized
- Purpose
- meat
Good for
- home meat production
Watch out for
- not for egg laying or long-term keeping
- health problems if kept past harvest age (growth outpaces bones)
- needs high-protein feed (21%+)
- hatchery notes Marek's vaccination is not offered for this bird
Looks and feathers
MEAT BIRD, NOT FOR LAYING. Commercial broiler cross grown to processing weight in weeks (average ~6.5 lb live at 8 weeks per Cackle; many keepers process at 6-8 weeks).
Our drawing shows the most common US variety; colours vary.
Similar breeds
All breedsSources
- 1Cornish Chicken (breed facts)The Livestock Conservancy
- 2Jumbo Cornish Cross (product/breed profile)Cackle Hatchery
- 3Cornish Cross Broiler Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile)Meyer Hatchery
- 4Accepted Breeds & VarietiesAmerican Poultry Association
Hatcheries often disagree on eggs a year; ranges span every source we read. How we check the facts.