Breeding for Egg Production

[davidchickens]

BYC members,
I have a question. Starting with hatchery stock chickens, what are some tips for picking hens and cocks for egg production characteristics. I've heard a few tips such as, don't breed hens or roosters with tails to high (makes it harder for them to lay), don't breed a chicken too thin (not enough room for organs, don't breed a hen underdeveloped compared to other hens, and something about being able to stick three fingers...never mind, if you've heard that tip you know what it's about (idea sounds rather gross to me but what must be done must be done!). Any other help would be most appreciated!

 

[Ridgerunner]

There are several ways to evaluate which hens are laying but they don’t necessarily tell you the quality of egg or how often she lays, though pigment color can help with that if she is yellow-legged. I like this article.

Pigmentation to Evaluate Laying
http://www.ca.uky.edu/smallflocks/Factsheets/Evaluating_egg_laying_hens.pdf

If your flock is small enough and you are around enough, you can figure out which hen is laying which egg. My totally unscientific boring method is to see which hen is laying which egg and how often instead of relying on any other method. I know that doesn’t work if you’re not around when they are laying.

You are right to look at the rooster. He contributes as much of the genetics for egg laying as the hen, but he doesn't lay eggs. That makes him pretty hard to evaluate. My method for that is to see which hen was his mother and hopefully grandmothers. How did they lay? I don't have anything better than that.

 

[davidchickens]

Sorry, I think that link crashed. But good info you gave me!

 

[davidchickens]

Still, anyone else have any idea of the ideal rooster characteristics for breeding (other than parentage?)

 

[Ridgerunner]

I's funny how things go in cycles on here. Usually that means the same question gets asked by different people at the same time. Today seems to be a day that my links don't work.

Anyway, I tried it and it opened for me. You might want to retry it.

 

[davidchickens]

No, but it must just my computer. Thanks anyway!

 

[3riverschick]

Still, anyone else have any idea of the ideal rooster characteristics for breeding (other than parentage?)

~~Pigmentation to Evaluate Laying
http://www.ca.uky.edu/smallflocks/Factsheets/Evaluating_egg_laying_hens.pdf

Just opened for me. Maybe it was out because of the storm?
=======
Here are some more. Open the link and click on the blue book to read it free online:
High Egg Production by Individual Hens, Pens and Flocks: A Complete Guide to ...
By Homer Wesley Jackson, Grant M. Curtis 1922
books.google.com/books?id=GSLZAAAAMAAJ

Factors Influencing the Size, Shape and Physical Constitution of the Egg of ...
By Maynie Rose Curtis 1914
books.google.com/books?id=bYrmAAAAMAAJ

Best Regards,
Karen

 

[davidchickens]

Excellent! These look very informative!

 

[davidchickens]

Anyone else? Always need more information!!!

 

[davidchickens]

Bumping my own thread!