How to Raise Cornish Game Hens

The Rock Cornish Game Hen was fist bred in 1950 in an attempt to replace the guinea hen—due to a farm fire a large flock of guinea hens were lost. The Cornish Game Hen is a product of crossbreeding the Cornish chicken with other breeds of chickens. The result was a smaller, plumper hen that produced only white meat. The average weight of a game hen is 2-1/2 pounds. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Decide if you are able to raise game hens—Cornish Game Hens are for slaughter not to lay eggs. Not everyone can raise animals for slaughter.

2. Create a pen that will provide a warm coop with plenty of air movement. Hang food and water dispensers suspended above the floor of the coop to keep the water and food cleaner longer.

3. Select a well-balanced high in nutrients feed for your game hens—you can ask for assistance at any feed store.

4. Study the special needs of a Cornish Game Hen. Most people raise chickens to sell the eggs—this is not the scenario you are in.

5. Learn about bantam birds—Cornish Game Hens are bantam birds. You will use more space to house Cornish Game Hens than chickens that lay eggs.

6. Determine if your climate is healthy for game hens. Remember warmth and air flow is vital for disease free hens.

Tips & Warnings

• It is important to keep your hens from roaming and keep them warm—find the balance between overcrowding and creating an environment that supports the plumping up of your game hens.
• Sanitation is the only way to keep your game hens disease free.
• Keep the cage, food and water clean to prevent disease.

Resources

• Article on how to build a chicken coop.
• Read about what makes Cornish Game Hens unique.