A Cornish Cross (Breeding?) Journey

[DemeterAD9]

Grabbed Jr. and put him with the girls this morning. So far everyone but the barred rock is back to laying. Oddly it seems the SLW’s eggs have shrunk to pullet sized when they used to be 60g+. Also dumped out another bag of leaves since we got a dusting of snow. He doesn’t seem to recognize when the girls squat for him. I saw both the barred rock and GLW squat for him. Hopefully he plays nice and figures things out.

His toes are still healing, it’ll take a while longer for the frostbite to completely heal up.

 

[DemeterAD9]

For future reference on who lays what.
Top row left to right is LF mix, light brahma mix, GLW. Bottom row is SLW and BBSW.

I’m thinking but not committed to adding one of my colored layers to the meat bird project. I do have a couple big bodied girls with pea combs I can toss in the pen. If I use one of the hens I want a couple replacement layers from it would be more justified right? Their olive colored eggs would be more diluted into a green should their daughters lay a colored egg. Hmmm…

 

[ABQ chicken keeper]

For future reference on who lays what.
Top row left to right is LF mix, light brahma mix, GLW. Bottom row is SLW and BBSW.
View attachment 4303753

I’m thinking but not committed to adding one of my colored layers to the meat bird project. I do have a couple big bodied girls with pea combs I can toss in the pen. If I use one of the hens I want a couple replacement layers from it would be more justified right? Their olive colored eggs would be more diluted into a green should their daughters lay a colored egg. Hmmm…

D,
Are weighing the eggs you plan to hatch? The two on the left, top and bottom look the largest.

 

[DemeterAD9]

D,
Are weighing the eggs you plan to hatch? The two on the left, top and bottom look the largest.

Yup I've been weighing all the eggs and keeping track of everyone on the Flockstar app. The LF mix lays the largest eggs on average than any of my current layers, they tend to be around 74g give or take a few. The BBSW and GLW have always laid rather small eggs, right around 53g but they are getting a little bigger as they mature more. The light brahma cross is a newer layer but she's been the most consistent and her eggs are around 55g, not all that bad being the youngest in the pen. Once I have collected eggs for hatching they'll all be marked with a number, date laid, weight, and who laid it.

 

[DemeterAD9]

Finally a proper egg line up. Top left to right, LF mix, barred/laced, barred rock. Bottom LB mix, GLW, SLW and the end is BBSW. Seems like the barred/laced is now laying the least frequently. Cracked a few open for breakfast and they all looked fertile.

Junior had to be kicked out the other day for a couple hours when I was penning up some hens for someone to come get. He was jumping the ones I was adding right when I dropped them in. Then when he was out he was jumping the other girls that were free ranging. Hopefully he calms down after I let them out in a few weeks.

 

[ABQ chicken keeper]

Finally a proper egg line up. Top left to right, LF mix, barred/laced, barred rock. Bottom LB mix, GLW, SLW and the end is BBSW. Seems like the barred/laced is now laying the least frequently. Cracked a few open for breakfast and they all looked fertile.
View attachment 4306891

Junior had to be kicked out the other day for a couple hours when I was penning up some hens for someone to come get. He was jumping the ones I was adding right when I dropped them in. Then when he was out he was jumping the other girls that were free ranging. Hopefully he calms down after I let them out in a few weeks.

Are you getting any New Hampshires to add to your meat bird project?

 

[DemeterAD9]

Are you getting any New Hampshires to add to your meat bird project?

Nope but I have some Plymouth white rocks (4 straight runs) in my Meyer order which is due to arrive a few days after Junior's offspring hatch. I also found an interesting listing on Ebay for eggs out of a breeding pen with white rocks and dark Cornish which I may very well get a dozen of. The possibility of crosses and/or purebreds is exciting either way and both could mesh well with my current (or future I should say) mix of meaties.

As a side note, the barred/laced hen hasn't laid since Feb 28th. There's still some time before I start setting aside eggs for hatching but she better get with the program because I really wanted to see some kids from her and Jr.

 

[ABQ chicken keeper]

Nope but I have some Plymouth white rocks (4 straight runs) in my Meyer order which is due to arrive a few days after Junior's offspring hatch. I also found an interesting listing on Ebay for eggs out of a breeding pen with white rocks and dark Cornish which I may very well get a dozen of. The possibility of crosses and/or purebreds is exciting either way and both could mesh well with my current (or future I should say) mix of meaties.

As a side note, the barred/laced hen hasn't laid since Feb 28th. There's still some time before I start setting aside eggs for hatching but she better get with the program because I really wanted to see some kids from her and Jr.

Ha Ha, Be Careful with those impulse buys!

 

[DemeterAD9]

Ha Ha, Be Careful with those impulse buys!

I’m trying but already failing in some areas. Bought 2 chicks to go along with my two impulse incubation chicks (barred rock hen X EE roo) who are all currently in a brooder with my impulse quail… But hey as I always say if I don’t end up liking them I can just eat them later.