Until you have a dozen or so hens I'd keep the selection process pretty much on the roosters, once you actually have some numbers of hens you can be shooting yourself in the foot to cull your hens.
Re color, I agree, production qualities first, then you can darken color. Get enough hens so...
With four breeds this year I am going to invest in a set of scales to keep track of my roosters, I want to weigh them at four mos, and again at six mos, at that point all in excess of breeding needs go in the freezer. I am sure my Icelandics will be the lightest, and the Delawares among the...
The large SC of the Delaware is a minus for them, I intend to select for smaller combs, a long term goal, but, they are a major plus for temperament, and laying, plus of course very nice size for dressing out.
All breeds have their plusses and minuses. I am looking for many good things in the...
Good choices !
I want to get eggs from Rhoderunner in Pa in June, I have Icelandics and Delawares now, and getting some Iowa Blue eggs this month I hope. I am setting eggs this week from the Delawares and next week of the Icelandics. I am hoping next year to add the RC RIR, that was my...
Suncatcher, what breeds are you working with?
I am choosing the Partridge or Albertan Chantecler for much the same reason as your high altitude landrace. Cold hardiness and productive dispite the cold.
Welcome to the thread.
These are serious eye candy for those of us without any right now.
Keep them coming !
I would tend to be more forgiving to hens on color or combs, conformation, weight and then egg production are much more important to me, but, the rooster really is half of the flock so I am far more...
Reference to culling for plumage/color etc, you really cant see them fully until they have their first molt. Some breeds it is easier early on to have a pretty good idea but its best to wait until have the molt. If they are roosters you can get a good idea by 3-4 mos, by even them a few extra...
Rhode Runner I agree, practical traits first, and weight and egg production over color, but the black breast isnot hard to select for. Combs are important in the north, so should be a selection factor.
Some nice pics here, makes it easy to see what should be selected for. Myself I am far more...
Chickwanna where are you located? I am 2 hours north of Saginaw and will gladly drive in the area for some Chantecler eggs. I had been intending to order chicks from John Blehm but he is sold out for the year.
So let me know where you are etc.
Hi Robin
Thats different, take what you get and go with them.
My post was just to warn against selecting against the breeds colors. To me hens are whatever color that they are, but use a white or partridge rooster depending on whether they are Albertan or White. Then select among the chicks...
Hiya Chickie Lady !!
Good to see you here ! We are doing very well, enjoying a moderate winter compared to other parts of the country.
I am in process of building Nella Brooders/pens with runs now for the soon to be Chanteclers and my other Homesteader breeds.
Also looking forward to...
Hi Deb
I wont rule out picking them up , its about an 8-9 hr drive if I have you located right. I have family in upstate NY and its about 12 hours to them coming through Ohio.
I would like to see your other breeds, you have several that I havent seen in real life yet.
To make a long story...
Hi Jamie
That sounds good, eggs or chicks, or both.
I like the looks of your Chanteclers, a very impresssive website you have.You have a couple of other breeds that I like but I have a full plate with the ones that I have chosen.
Its been very slow !
Where is your Partridge stock from? I am getting a few from John Blehm in Birch Run, MI but would like some others.
Where in Western Pa are you? Its about 6 hours from me to NW Pa.