Konza Prairie Rangers - Page 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arielle 

Lavern and Shirley--what kind of cornish were they? Were they actually cornish crosses? As I remember the cornish cross is cornish x rock though I don't know for sure, I'm thinking the white rocks. 

 

I was talking with Walt about the cornish as a possible breed, he said "They are pretty slow lumbering good natured birds for the most part..." He was specifically referring to his line of cornish. They are BIG birds though.

Yes, these are Cornish Rocks. They were terribly obese almost and very sweet but dullards. I don't want that foggy vacancy in my birds, so I'm waiting to decide on the crosses. I might use a couple of them who show promise. FAST growth though. Sheesh!!

I've considered adding in the Dark Cornish from a different line, too- but I want to find the right line with good ranging abilities and acute awareness.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arielle 

I can see where a slower moving bird would put more feed resources into growth, including meat. 

 

Are you working on 1 generation a year, or are you pushing for a  faster generation interval?

I'm continuously hatching, and keeping track of each set (chicks and parents are separate, as are different gene combinations. It's a constant thing for me to be working on multiple projects.

I think it'll be something magical to find the happy midst of foraging and feed conversion. I'm very happy with the Easter hatch birds, and hope the progress keeps going!! 

Here are a couple of pics I snagged before dark. I'll get more of the flock tomorrow.

This is a year-old hen. Mind you that's a 55gal drum behind the door.

These two are a year old cock. He's a sweet love.

These two are a 17 week old cockerel and a year old hen (on the right in the second pic)

I know it won't stick, but I love the coloring of this fellow!

I

I'm still fighting for the yellow skin, and I'll show more pics tomorrow. The comb will also need work. Structurally, the breast is broad and deep, with a wide hip and big thighs.

I'll see what I can show you in more shots.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arielle 

THe breast looks thick and broad on this one!!  A little cornishX  breeding in this one?

 

Nope! He's prior to the Cornish Rock ingredient. I'm crediting the Partridge Chantecler genes with that breadth. They have a very Cornish look to them and it's a big part of their makeup. Partridge Chanteclers really fit my desired bird in many ways, but they don't grow fast enough and are UBER broody. That broodiness seems better in the project stock so far, but only somewhat. I'm also looking for a bit of a bigger overall size, but want to maintain the independence on finding their own food, which Chantes do well.

I'll get some shots of some juvies today.