First, I want to apologize for my rant post. I won't try to justify it, it came out of many reasons...let me just say sorry.
3riverschick has given me a lot to read.
I feel I should say something as to why I chose this project. I am in an area where a lot of people sell eggs. When I started this farm 3 years ago, one of my goals was to sell what is not commonly available. In pursuit of that, black eggs came up. I have no pallet, I smoke and drink Rye, but I came to understand that BCM's offered a unique flavor, both in eggs and meat, so my idea was to raise BCMs. Then I discovered how scarce they were, and how expensive. Having no experience with chickens at all, I bought 30 Frey's Special Dual purpose to learn. Decent birds for meat and layers, and getting them in September meant learning how to keep them through the winter...they were supposed to be heartier.
So, I met this friend, in the course of convo, she explained how BCMs pass the traits I wanted (black eggs) via the roo. She suggested, cross with my hens for 3 generations, and I'd have what I wanted, layers that laid black eggs. This has been somewhat confirmed (although it was stated here that it needs to be 8 generations), but the point is I could do this for free. The Frey's special dual purpose have never given me better than an egg every other day, and if BCMs are worse, how worse could they be?
Point is, I am not going to raise meat birds that drop dead while standing. I did not realize that BCMs were poor layers, but the fact is, I don't really care, if they produce black eggs then I have something the others around here don't. This is not meant to be highly profitable at this point, break even and I am happy for the next few years. As I cull the roos I get food for both myself and my dogs, so its all good. Maybe you can afford $12 for an unsexed BCM chick, I can't.
3riverschick has given me a lot to read, and I am working on it, it by no means presumes you know nothing...;-] For example, my chicks (my first hatch) are now 18 days old, I can't do anything with all the chick down colors I've been given, but I have a second hatch on Day 11, so I will pay more attention then. Since I am not growing for show or sale of birds, I have to find the good info on laying and egg color, further down the list I assume.
In any event, I just want to say that discouraging cross-breeding isn't a scientific goal. I laud purebred breeders for wanting to prevent people from buying things called their breed which isn't, but projects such as mine are a demonstration of a desire to get involved in something which is largely being patented, taken away from the public, and turned into something akin to auto-tuned music. I restate, I am not trying to make fake BCMs to sell, I am trying to make birds that will better suit my farm, my hoped for clientele, and the life I can offer them. I admit, I didn't start with all the right knowledge or resources, but it is my goal. Being told this is only one way to get there, and I'm not doing it that right way, inspires me not. In fact, it only makes me want to experiment more.
So forgive my arrogance, forgive me bucking all that science, for I'm not. I've been pointed to 100 years of knowledge while I have chicks in the incubator. I will see them through (and put more in) but read and learn as much as I can. And I promise, I will more closely consider my words, again, my apologies.
