Poultry
Cobb
F tier
Cobb denotes commercial broiler genetics developed and marketed by Cobb-Vantress, among the world’s major primary breeding companies. Cobb lines are selected for growth rate, feed efficiency, livability, and breast-meat yield under intensive production, typically as white-feathered meat hybrids rather than a single traditional pure breed. On the plate, Cobb birds supply the mild, tender commodity chicken used for whole roasters, boneless breast, thighs, and further-processed products. Flavour and texture track age, feed, and processing more than brand name, but Cobb genetics underpin a large share of global industrial poultry meat.
Also known as: Cobb broiler, Cobb 500 / commercial Cobb lines, Cobb commercial broiler
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History
The Cobb family began poultry breeding in Massachusetts, building early commercial chicken stock for the Northeast market.
Post-war broiler demand drove Cobb toward specialised meat-line hybrids with white plumage and rapid growth.
Upjohn acquired Cobb, expanding research and international distribution of Cobb broiler genetics.
Tyson Foods’ involvement deepened integration of Cobb genetics into large-scale US broiler production.
Cobb 500 and successor products became widely placed worldwide as primary broiler parent stock.