Christiancowboy
In the Brooder
- May 27, 2022
- 33
- 52
- 38
It was never my intention to breed black Sexlinks. As a matter of fact I sold my black Sexlinks hens and my black ameraurcanas because I only want to raise heritage breeds and crosses for setting and free ranging.
To make a long story short, I ended up keeping my Ameraucana/Game cross rooster because he's a very good protector, and pea combed. Plus, I couldn't find a black or red black Breasted cock to breed with. My hens are pure game, pure rose comb brown leghorns, and barred rock/cochin crosses.
For my first two Incubator settings I just set eggs from the game hens and rose comb brown leghorns. I knew they'd be slower growers, so I wanted to give them a head start.
My third setting which just hatched a week ago was mostly eggs from the barred rock, and barred/Cochin Hens. As they started hatching, I noticed they were basically black with white streaks on their heads. So, I realized I had actually breed Sexlinks instead of heritage crosses as was my intention. I did end up getting several Pullets as well. Plus, I also got some solid light yellow chicks from the olive eggs.
Now to my question... What is the best age to butcher these black sexlink stags (roosters) at?
To make a long story short, I ended up keeping my Ameraucana/Game cross rooster because he's a very good protector, and pea combed. Plus, I couldn't find a black or red black Breasted cock to breed with. My hens are pure game, pure rose comb brown leghorns, and barred rock/cochin crosses.
For my first two Incubator settings I just set eggs from the game hens and rose comb brown leghorns. I knew they'd be slower growers, so I wanted to give them a head start.
My third setting which just hatched a week ago was mostly eggs from the barred rock, and barred/Cochin Hens. As they started hatching, I noticed they were basically black with white streaks on their heads. So, I realized I had actually breed Sexlinks instead of heritage crosses as was my intention. I did end up getting several Pullets as well. Plus, I also got some solid light yellow chicks from the olive eggs.
Now to my question... What is the best age to butcher these black sexlink stags (roosters) at?
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