BCM Roo x Red Selinks - 3 generations and they're a new BCM?

[enola]

I am pretty sure what I said was right. I was inviting someone to correct me, since if I am wrong, I really want to know.

There is enough false information on the Internet that I feel like I would not like to add to it.

 

[NTBugtraq]

I am pretty sure what I said was right. I was inviting someone to correct me, since if I am wrong, I really want to know.

There is enough false information on the Internet that I feel like I would not like to add to it.

I know...;-]

 

[enola]

Hi,
 It reads to me like your problem is fading hybrid vigor. The book I referenced in post 13 explains the results of fading hybrid vigor and how to breed to avoid it . With a time tested breeding plan illustrated and explained.
This plan can also be used tor restore fading hybrid vigor.
 Vigor is vigor whether it comes from maintaining it in one's own gene pool or seeking it out by adding new "blood". Judge Card's plan can be used for either. The neat thing about this program is how it can be used within a strain and (with wise selection) keep on indefinitely without outcrossing to a different strain, variety, or breed.
 Take time to read his book. It's short and so full of wisdom. I go back to it repeatedly when I have questions.
Best Regards,
 Karen
 BCM's aren't the only dark egg breed. There's Welsummers and Pendescendas too.

Thanks for your post! Very valuable information.

 

[NTBugtraq]

Hi,
It reads to me like your problem is fading hybrid vigor. The book I referenced in post 13 explains the results of fading hybrid vigor and how to breed to avoid it . With a time tested breeding plan illustrated and explained.
This plan can also be used tor restore fading hybrid vigor.
Vigor is vigor whether it comes from maintaining it in one's own gene pool or seeking it out by adding new "blood". Judge Card's plan can be used for either. The neat thing about this program is how it can be used within a strain and (with wise selection) keep on indefinitely without outcrossing to a different strain, variety, or breed.
Take time to read his book. It's short and so full of wisdom. I go back to it repeatedly when I have questions.
Best Regards,
Karen
BCM's aren't the only dark egg breed. There's Welsummers and Pendescendas too.

Well, my problem is definitely not "fading hybrid", I have no BCM hens. So the rest of your post is intended for others.

 

[3riverschick]

You have red sex links? You want to improve them and add in BCM to do the job? Is that right?
Why not use a Welsummer instead? That way you stay in the brown realm instead of crossing red links with a mostly black bird?
Or you could go with a Silver-based meat and egg bird. The Light Sussex is a dual purpose bird traditionally chosen to make sex links if that is what you want. The Silver base makes it easier to ID the sex-linked sexes.
Karen

 

[dekel18042]

Why not use a Welsummer instead? That way you stay in the brown realm instead of crossing red links with a mostly black bird?

If your goal is egg production, I have both welsumers and BCM and my welsumers' eggs are almost as dark plus some are speckled, which I like, so I think that cross would be better in the number of eggs they lay.
I've made olive eggers using both marans and welsumer and it is so much easier to sex the ones made with welsumers.

 

[NTBugtraq]

You have red sex links? You want to improve them and add in BCM to do the job? Is that right?
Why not use a Welsummer instead? That way you stay in the brown realm instead of crossing red links with a mostly black bird?
Or you could go with a Silver-based meat and egg bird. The Light Sussex is a dual purpose bird traditionally chosen to make sex links if that is what you want. The Silver base makes it easier to ID the sex-linked sexes.
Karen

My original flock was my introduction to raising chickens, and definitely wasn't intended to lead to incubating or cross-breeding. I culled all the roosters for meat and intended just to learn how to winter the layers. My plan was to find some way to obtain BCM's in 2015. I then discovered how expensive BCM's were and how difficult it seemed for me to get them. Then I met a local Master Gardener. She suggested this project as a way of getting BCM's in 3 generations, and provided me with an 18 month old BCM roo for free. I definitely liked the idea of producing my own flock, more or less, for free. When I started this, I didn't even know what sex link meant.

If your goal is egg production, I have both welsumers and BCM and my welsumers' eggs are almost as dark plus some are speckled, which I like, so I think that cross would be better in the number of eggs they lay.
I've made olive eggers using both marans and welsumer and it is so much easier to sex the ones made with welsumers.

Firstly, I assume you're suggesting I get Welsumer hens (or sexed day olds?) The only way I know how to get Welsumers would be to buy them, and I am trying to avoid such expense. The eggs I am using cost me C$0.33 each (what I would get for them if I sold them as eggs). Secondly, I'd be looking at a delay of 6-8 months before I started getting any eggs to use to increase the flock, possibly longer.

I do appreciate the suggestions, but I'd at least like to get to 2nd generation eggs from this cross.

 

[enola]

You can get Welsummer pullets for about $3 each and have eggs to eat and hatch in about 6 months.

 

[NTBugtraq]

You can get Welsummer pullets for about $3 each and have eggs to eat and hatch in about 6 months.

Well, this is not the purpose of this thread, but I appreciate the thoughts. FWIW, the cheapest Welsummer chicks I can find are C$75 for 6.

 

[enola]

We are just trying to understand why you want to invest time, work , and the money to support a flock for three generations and still not end up with BCM that won't lay black eggs.