A few breeding questions from a Newbie

[UBkevy]

Hi all,

I have been reading this forum for a few weeks and it convinced me to get some birds. I wanted what seems to be the basic birds Barred Rocks, Australorps, Ameraucanas (great- grandpa had these) and Buff Orpingtons. I looked around and TSC only had Red sex-links and 10 black cochins 1 time (I kinda like them now). But to make a long story short I have 6 Golden comets and 6 red-sex links that are 3-4weeks old and just got 3 Barred Rocks and 3 Partridge Rocks that are 4 days old.

They where in the pullet tub but figure, out of 18 birds there is a fair chance there is a roo. I am wondering is it worth letting them cross if there is a roo and what might I expect. 2. if I was to get a roo to let them breed what would be a good breed to get that would be fairly easy to work with and fairly quiet sence I am in a suburban area now was rural, and that would be good for egg production would love to get 3-5 a week from a cross? And lastly would it be a better idea to get a foster mother like a cochin or play it safe with an incubater, I am trying to keep it cheap I am a college grad with little cash.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

If you have a cock you may well find that it has the best personality of them all. Their defined job in life is to take care of their flock--seek out food and protect from predators.

I'm not sure that you have defined your own goal for keeping poultry. First you need to do that--decide what is important to you. Then the rest becomes more clear. Do you adore them for pets? Are you seeking to recreate history and nurture heritage breeds? Do colours and types fascinate you? Are you looking for sustainable lifestyle? Do you wish to exhibit or breed?

Only you can answer these questions. Once you have the answers you can move in your self-defined direction.

 

[UBkevy]

I guess my goals would be a chicken that produced 4-5 eggs, was docile and fairly quiet. I do not care much for how it looks just the other goals.

 

[TimG]

Quote:
The Golden Comets and Red Sexlinks shouldn't be roos -- they carry sexlinked traits that make them easy to sex at time of hatch. So, you really only have 6 chicks that might be in question. Modern sexing is pretty accurate. If it's only 95% accurate on these six, you still have about a 3 in 4 chance of having all pullets. And, I'd expect better than 95% accuracy on the Rocks.

Roosters may have personality, but one of their natural traits is to protect their flock and sometimes they perceive humans, even friendly humans who provide food and water, as a threat.