Meat Birds

This is the bird that single-handedly changed American eating habits. Before Cornish Cross Broilers were developed, a chicken dinner was a rare treat reserved for special occasions. Pre-Cornish Cross era chickens grew slowly while eating plenty of feed. Their meat was tasty but sparse. The Cornish Cross made broiler production efficient, and today it’s often the most inexpensive meat the grocery store sells. Cornish Cross Broilers require special feeding and care but grow astonishingly fast. They weigh nearly six pounds when only six weeks old by efficiently converting feed into flesh. Cornish Cross Broilers are the best choice for a person who wants to quickly produce delicious meat and has no plan to save hens for egg production. Purpose: Meat Bird Production: Matures Between 6-8 Weeks Temperament: Docile, Sedentary Mature Weight: 6-8 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy

We are so proud of our meat birds here at Hoover’s that we just had to name one after our little town of Rudd, Iowa. This "haus" loves to free-range and finishes out slower than the Cornish Cross Broiler, but the wait is worth it! The Rudd Ranger® is a versatile bird that can be raised in more confined areas or free-range environments but prefers the latter. Just like our wonderful Rudd residents, these birds are docile and get along with most other breeds. They have red plumage with dark tails and wing feathers. When dressed, the Rudd Ranger’s® body is more proportional compared to a broiler, making the dark meat almost equal the breast meat. Purpose: Meat Bird Production: Matures Between 12-14 Weeks Temperament: Docile, Active Mature Weigh t: 8-11 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy