Cobb 500

The Cobb linage descends from the Vantress chicken, which was bred for the USDA's Chicken of Tomorrow contest in the 1940s. The Cobb line itself saw its initial development in the 1970s in England by Cobb-Vantress. The Cobb 500 in particular was introduced into the United States in 1985. In response, the US producer Tyson Foods acquired a 50% stake in Cobb-Vantress in 1986. In 1994, Tyson acquired full control of the company. The Cobb 500's share of all chickens has increased in the decades since. In 2008, all Cobb line birds made up around 30-40% of global broilers. In 2016, the Cobb 500 alone was nearly 50%. == Health issues ==

The fast growth of the Cobb 500 is associated with an increased rate of various health problems. Compared to slower-growing chickens, they have a higher rate of sudden death syndrome, hock burns, Tibial dyschondroplasia, weaker disease resistance and antibody response, bone deformations, and problems with walking. == See also ==