Jean, I find it very interesting to see the differences. It kind of gives you an idea of what breeders are trying to achieve. I have two Wheaten cockerels growing, one from Paul and another from John, they're so different. They both have their good aspects and their not-so-good parts, sometimes I wish I could just put the two little guys together and make one better bird. LOL.
huckleberryfarm, I was fortunate enough to have another pullet heavy year, I've got about 30 or so juvies growing out with only 6 cockerels in the mix. I had two pullets that were clean faced (chicks that I received from Paul Smith) they were maturing beautifully but every square inch of space counts here because we live in the city. I don't have the room to grow out every single bird I hatch and then wait until they are a year old to cull, etc. I have to be picky from early on. So instead of taking the time to test breed them like Cloverleaf mentioned, they were sold as layers. I'm still very bummed over losing one of them, she had GORGEOUS solid BLUE tail feathers.
But, I also have many other pullets to raise and choose from later this year on who gets to stay and use for breeding. Something I've learned over the past few years is that sometimes you just have to work with what you've got and strive to better the birds you have. Either that or if you have the money to spend, source better birds and have a breeder ship you a replacement.
huckleberryfarm, I was fortunate enough to have another pullet heavy year, I've got about 30 or so juvies growing out with only 6 cockerels in the mix. I had two pullets that were clean faced (chicks that I received from Paul Smith) they were maturing beautifully but every square inch of space counts here because we live in the city. I don't have the room to grow out every single bird I hatch and then wait until they are a year old to cull, etc. I have to be picky from early on. So instead of taking the time to test breed them like Cloverleaf mentioned, they were sold as layers. I'm still very bummed over losing one of them, she had GORGEOUS solid BLUE tail feathers.
But, I also have many other pullets to raise and choose from later this year on who gets to stay and use for breeding. Something I've learned over the past few years is that sometimes you just have to work with what you've got and strive to better the birds you have. Either that or if you have the money to spend, source better birds and have a breeder ship you a replacement.
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