Instructions
Provide your chickens with plenty of space. As Cornish chickens are bigger then most other breeds they require more space. There is no rule on how much space to give chickens, but ensure they have enough to run and explore.
Remove any chickens who are not Cornish. Cornish chickens are easily bullied, and this may stop them from eating and laying. Cornish chickens can live with other chickens, but it is not advisable if you are trying to breed Cornish them.
Provide a laying house. You should have at least one laying house per four hens, to avoid overcrowding. Hens will fight over laying space if they need to lay at the same time, which can cause broken eggs, and the chickens can damage each other.
Work out how old your chickens are. Cornish chickens should be bred around the pullet stage. If you have raised the chickens from scratch, the pullet stage is when the chicks reach around 8 weeks old, and begin to explore the chicken pen. They should be put back in the brooder box at night. The pullet stage generally lasts until the chick is 12 weeks old.
Locate a Cornish cockerel. If you do not have your own, many farms or other owners are happy to "rent" out their cockerel, although they may want a reward, such as money or chicks. Discuss the deal in detail before you borrow the cockerel.
Release the cockerel into the chicken pen. At first, the chickens may be defensive, or scared. Alternatively, they may not notice him, and carry on as normal. Both reactions are normal, so just leave the cockerel to settle in, and the hens to get used to him.
Observe the cockerel until he has mated all of your hens. This may take a day or two, depending on the willingness of the hen and the number of hens you have.
Remove the cockerel and return him to his owner, or put him in his own chicken pen if he is yours.
Check the hen house for drafts and holes, and cover these up. Cornish chickens do not like drafts, so do your best to ensure that their house does not have any. This will help to create optimum breeding conditions.
Feed your chickens twice a day. Cornish chickens have big appetites and need to consume a lot of food to lay eggs. It is common for chickens to put on weight while they are preparing to lay.
Observe your chickens carefully. When Cornish chickens are protecting fertilized eggs, they are reluctant to leave their house. They may have very puffed up feathers, which they use to keep the eggs warm.
Note the date. If the chickens are sitting on eggs, they should hatch 21 days later. The chickens are usually very good parents, although you will need to provide chick food.
How to Breed Cornish Hens
Cornish chickens are a stocky breed of chicken originating from England. They are quite large birds, who put on weight quickly, and do not like the cold. They are commonly used for meat due to their large appetite and heavy weight, but they do also lay eggs. Cornish hens are usually identified by their shape and the way their feathers tightly fit together. It is possible to breed Cornish chickens, but due to their irregular egg laying, this is more difficult then with some other breeds of chicken.