That is what I mean that we have access to genetics that we never did before. Nothing wrong with playing with a project like that. I have.I realize that sex link hybrids can't be bred true but I was wondering around and came across this thread on ISA Brown's by Fred. Promising.....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/660815/breeding-sex-links-third-generation
Most of the value would be on the male side, and sex linked males are a dime a dozen. They are quick growers even if they do not flesh out well.
What I mean by value on the male side, is all you would need is one, and he will contribute the laying genetics to whatever you put him on.
What I did, a good while ago, is took a silver male from a sex linked cross and put him on some single combed "Rhode Island Whites". They already were good layers of 220-240 large rich brown eggs. Their offspring were running around 240-260 extra large rich brown eggs. I did have the pullets on lights through their first winter. They were not good dual purpose birds, but were quick growers and great layers.
This was my first lesson on brassiness and gold leakage. I did not know then that I could use blue, black, or barred to clean it up. I went a couple generations before I realized I was getting no where.
You can also put one of those lighter framed quick growing males on a strain of large or extra large females. He will improve the laying in their offspring, they may very well be quick to mature, and be intermediate between the two sizes.
One thing to consider is that Fred had trouble along the way with genetic longevity issues. I did not with the cross I did, but I put one of the males on different birds. I did not continue within the same strain. These strains are built on putting a lot out fast, and that is all.
And you will never get them to perform as well as the original birds. Not without years of selection.
Another option is using the colored broilers. You stand a better chance of getting a female to live to laying age if you control the diet. I would prefer the black colored broilers and put a barred bird over them. What I would hope for is to produce some clean silvers within a couple generations.
There is all kinds of possibilities and projects, if someone wanted to play with something like that. When you consider al that is out there, genetically, the possibilities are endless. Concerning sex linked males, you can almost get them for free. No one wants them, but they have a lot to contribute.
If all you want is layers or meat birds, you can do whatever you want.
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