Thanks for the warm welcome!
I've got a bunch of hatchery birds for eggs, I just love to see all different colors of chickens running around and all different colors of eggs in the fridge.
But it just seems to me that all the "dual purpose breeds" are slowly being transformed to really-just-for-eggs-and-pretty breeds. I mean, I can't imagine a farmer of 1880 waiting 9 months to get something bigger then a 3 pound bird - though I know that back then, eating chicken was more of a luxury. But I still can't see them putting up with all the little cockerels running around eating bugs and scraps that could be going to the hens. I'm sure that they butchered them young and wanted them meaty.
Anyhoo, I was thinking of picking a breed that is supposed to be a "table breed" like Marans or Sussex and breeding them with the only criteria being to save out the 10% of birds that are heaviest with the biggest breasts at 12 weeks for breeding. I'm sure that looks and rate of lay will suffer and foraging ability and natural brooding will increase. I was wondering if I could kind of re-create a more mid-1800's type bird.
I know that I could just start breeding away with my mixed flock of layers. I am also raising a "Fry pan special" of cockerels, so I've got plenty of roos to choose from. But I know that most hatchery breeds (esp the specific ones I have) have been picked for laying ability already so I'd be starting from behind.
And, knowing me as well as I do
if I started a bunch of mutts I'd be really, really tempted to save some funky colored ones. But if I started a bunch of purebreds, they'd all largely look alike and it would be easier for me to stick to the one criteria.
What do you guys think? Should I go with Marans? Any particular type? And where should I get them? I was thinking Cuckoos because they're the most common, but I love the looks of Wheaten anything.
I've got a bunch of hatchery birds for eggs, I just love to see all different colors of chickens running around and all different colors of eggs in the fridge.
But it just seems to me that all the "dual purpose breeds" are slowly being transformed to really-just-for-eggs-and-pretty breeds. I mean, I can't imagine a farmer of 1880 waiting 9 months to get something bigger then a 3 pound bird - though I know that back then, eating chicken was more of a luxury. But I still can't see them putting up with all the little cockerels running around eating bugs and scraps that could be going to the hens. I'm sure that they butchered them young and wanted them meaty.
Anyhoo, I was thinking of picking a breed that is supposed to be a "table breed" like Marans or Sussex and breeding them with the only criteria being to save out the 10% of birds that are heaviest with the biggest breasts at 12 weeks for breeding. I'm sure that looks and rate of lay will suffer and foraging ability and natural brooding will increase. I was wondering if I could kind of re-create a more mid-1800's type bird.
I know that I could just start breeding away with my mixed flock of layers. I am also raising a "Fry pan special" of cockerels, so I've got plenty of roos to choose from. But I know that most hatchery breeds (esp the specific ones I have) have been picked for laying ability already so I'd be starting from behind.
And, knowing me as well as I do
What do you guys think? Should I go with Marans? Any particular type? And where should I get them? I was thinking Cuckoos because they're the most common, but I love the looks of Wheaten anything.