Brahma Breeders thread

[bumpercarr]

Agree with Big Medicine. I can't really say how many pullets/hens I've waiting on hoping the tail will stand up some. I think I could have waited a lifetime and they still wouldn't stand up. Best bet, probably try to breed the best upright tailed male to the best female tail you've got. Last year I think I hatched out about 40, only two of the girls have the tail set that I like. They were both from the same breeding and are both at the bottom of the pecking order, so whether they are dominant or not doesn't have anything to do with it (I don't think). I'm pretty sure it is a genetic thing. You can bet I'll be breeding those girls this year though...........

 

[NestingHillsSC]

Just reading on tail angle. That was my exact question. One said standing straight up.Is that what you want?? Which is the best tail angle. I have 10 cockerels. Going to down size next month to 3. So which is the best??

#1


#2


Oh forgot to say. They r 6 months old.

 

[big medicine]

I like contestant number two better.

 

[NestingHillsSC]

I like contestant number two better.

So the tail angle SHOLDN'T be straight up. I have half and half.

 

[big medicine]

 

[OleMissChic]

Thank you for posting this. Does anyone know how difficult is it to produce a better topline if you have one parent with a great topline and one with an almost straight back? Is one more dominant than the other?

 

[OleMissChic]

Since I'm on the subject, does anyone know of a reference for dominant traits or have experience with this in regards to Brahmas? For the brow/head, topline, etc.

 

[bumpercarr]

Since I'm on the subject, does anyone know of a reference for dominant traits or have experience with this in regards to Brahmas? For the brow/head, topline, etc.

I don't think there is a reference anywhere. I seem to recall reading somewhere that most size and stature traits are a combination of several different genes. For instance, topline may be influenced by back length, hip width, underbody muscles, tail feather length, etc. Determining the outcome of all of those genes against the absence of all of those genes would be a mind numbing task.

Best bet, breed the best overall bird to the best overall bird and cull heavily (as Big Medicine reminds me often!). Most of the time there isn't an easy fix for what seems like a small problem, it involves years of breeding the best to the best.

 

[big medicine]

Thank you for posting this. Does anyone know how difficult is it to produce a better topline if you have one parent with a great topline and one with an almost straight back? Is one more dominant than the other?

There is a saying among old breeders, " You will get what you will tolerate " , Which I take to mean if you use a bird with a less than stellar feature in your breeding pen, don't be surprised if a lot of your chicks have it too.

 

[snowbird]

Quote:
Just want to point out something about the Hackle color while this picture in up. Take a look where the Black starts in the Hackle it is just about EAR level and that is where you would want it to start. When it comes to color it mostly comes from the color of the undercolor.. Keep the undercolor right and you will not have as much color problems. Don