Breeding Bantam's from a Large Fowl. How to?

[jsr5]

I know I could just go get eggs or chicks of any sort of bantam bred from a large fowl species but I'm intrested in trying to do it myself. what would be the steps. what birds would I need to start with. And can it be explained simply or am I gonna have to give up because my brain is no longer malleable enough to get books and study. I am doing really good to just keep some kind of record of what I"ve got and how it crossed. TIA even if the answer is forgetaboudit

 

[sylviethecochin]

forgetaboutit.

Seriously, it's a very long, involved process of incubating large batches of eggs for increasingly smaller fowl and using multiple lines (at least two) of stock to maintain diversity while still keeping out an eye for genetic disorders that keep them from absorbing vitamins, or proclivities towards sickness that keep them from reaching their full growth potential. Far, far easier to just buy bantams unless you're willing to devote decades to this project.

 

[Gray Farms]

Agreed. I hope you prepared for a long process and thousands of chicks. You basically select the smallest birds to use as breeders. Generation after generation after generation. As @sylviethecochin mentioned you'll need to different bloodlines. I'd recommend three so you can spiral breed. Careful and precise record keeping will also be a must. Your looking at a minimum of 15 years I would think. You'll not only be breeding them down. You also need to keep to the standard for the breed and cull for defects.

 

[jsr5]

Understood. Thanks for the answers. since I doubt I have decades or even the minimum 15 years at least not active years left. I"ll just enjoy the work of others. Maybe just make loveable mutt crosses to love and enjoy. Thanks!

 

[TashaFrancois]

Anything mixed with a Silkie or polish bantam is adorable! Like anything mixed with corgis!

 

[jsr5]

like my silkies too but absolutely adore my cochins and mille fluer d'uccles. coshins are super loaveable and cuddly and the mille fluer are such personable clowns they keep me smiling and laughing as they talk to me and complain lift their feet towards me as if to ask whats this white crap and why is in my run? Hey it's been hours since you gave us any scratch. Hey what no worms today? oh yeah they will give me the business if I forget somthing or I"m late with filling feeders or watererss And oh what a fit when a breaker tripped and the heat lamps weren't on one cool day.