Bantam Fowl to Standard Fowl.

[jeremy]

What would it take to breed bantam fowl birds into their larger counterparts? How many generations could it possibly take? Would it help to introduce LF bloodlines into the breeding equation? How could you do that without losing desired recessive traits. (Say lavender or chocolate feather coloring.)

I know these are very general questions, just looking to understand the process a little better.

Any expert advice?

 

[Teach97]

if you introduce LF genetics then you didn't breed up...that would defeat doing it

I have LF modern games that were bred from little ones...it takes awhile...more birds you have the faster it goes (more animals to choose from)...depends on the breed and the variation you find in it.

Sorry don't have an exact number for you...too many variables

 

[jeremy]

So a large breeding pool would be required, I'm assuming?

Anyone?

 

[EweSheep]

I am breeding down, from LF to BF and it would take at least four to five generations to get down to the bantam size. I would imagine it would be the same for the large fowl.

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
How many years is that, roughly? If it takes most chickens about 6 months to mature (give or take.)... like 3 years?

 

[smoothmule]

What is LF and BF? This thread caught my attention because I have 3 Araucana's and they are all different in size. One is obviously bantam, one is obviously standard but one is somewhere in the middle. I'll probably breed her to the standard rooster but I was wondering whether the chicks would be standard or the hens size.

 

[herechickchick]

LF = Large Fowl

BF = Bantam Fowl

The term standard should refer to the birds standard requirements (as in the APA, American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection or ABA American Bantam Association ) not to its size in terms of LF or BF.

 

[EweSheep]

Quote:
How many years is that, roughly? If it takes most chickens about 6 months to mature (give or take.)... like 3 years?

More like four to six years, depending on the maturity rate, age of laying, chick or started adult losses.....those things to consider. You would have to cull heavily if you want good specimens and I would be culling for size but maintaining the egg color of the Welsummers. The Bantam Welsummers are light brown or dark tan in color so in order to bring back the terra cotta color, I would have to cross them with the LF to get the results and hope for the best! So it will take a good while to get there.

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
How many years is that, roughly? If it takes most chickens about 6 months to mature (give or take.)... like 3 years?

More like four to six years, depending on the maturity rate, age of laying, chick or started adult losses.....those things to consider. You would have to cull heavily if you want good specimens and I would be culling for size but maintaining the egg color of the Welsummers. The Bantam Welsummers are light brown or dark tan in color so in order to bring back the terra cotta color, I would have to cross them with the LF to get the results and hope for the best! So it will take a good while to get there.

Seems like quite a production... I can only imagine how long it could take if you were working on maintaining things like recessive traits vs. dominant traits, etc.

 

[EweSheep]

It would take a little LONGER but worth it when they are up to standards!