BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[theoldguy]

Kind of a cool color too.

 

[NanaKat]

@lpatelski my best cockerel had a telescoping comb. I culled him for that, and also he was too aggressive, but he had the best meaty shape. I tried to find out whether the telescoping comb was a trait easily bred out, but found out very little. It does not seem to be a dominant trait, so it will stick around in the flock. Here's my cockerel's telescoping comb- very ugly and it can get infected so you don't want it around. Hens can also have a telescoping comb but it's harder to see.

Does the comb trait show up early or at maturity?
If it is in your meat flock and not a breeder bird, could the comb be dubbed so to prevent any possible infection by the trait?

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

Does the comb trait show up early or at maturity?
If it is in your meat flock and not a breeder bird, could the comb be dubbed so to prevent any possible infection by the trait?

It's difficult to see on a young chick, but it's there all along and as the comb grows the condition worsens. I doubt it would be much of a problem in a meat bird though, I don't think they would be around long enough for the comb to get big enough for infection to set in. Infection isn't a given, just possible, so if I saw it in a meat bird myself, I would just let it be. There are varying degrees of the "telescope" and it can occur in pea, rose and single combs, but I did not find any references to this in walnut combs.
The one breeder who actually bred a telescoped comb cock got prize winning SOP pullets from the cross. But he did not breed those pullets or the cock bird again. The general consensus among many breeders though including Grant Bereton (wyandotte fame) is not to breed a bird with this condition. It is a disqualification for SOP.

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

Kind of a cool color too.

That's just the photo, it was a regular red just like the others.

 

[stryker]

I want that comb!

 

[Turk Raphael]

I feel like shouting for joy! I have three days off in a row!

@CanadianBuckeye ...please tell me what gave you the impression that the Chantecler breed is a 'spaz' breed? Not a direct quote but I saw where you posted something to that order. Have you ever owned or even seen one in person? Just not certain what makes you think that about them.

I have White Chanteclers (in my opinion, the only true ones) AND Buckeyes. To my way of thinking, they are both very nice birds and neither breed could in anyway be considered spastic.

Turk

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

I want that comb!

Why???? it's very ugly and prone to infection. That big divot in the middle would probably fill up with all kinds of disgusting lint and stuff........ eeeewwwww.......

I feel like shouting for joy! I have three days off in a row!

@CanadianBuckeye ...please tell me what gave you the impression that the Chantecler breed is a 'spaz' breed? Not a direct quote but I saw where you posted something to that order. Have you ever owned or even seen one in person? Just not certain what makes you think that about them.

I have White Chanteclers (in my opinion, the only true ones) AND Buckeyes. To my way of thinking, they are both very nice birds and neither breed could in anyway be considered spastic.

Turk

Woo- hoo!! a long weekend!! My favourite kind too!
It's true I've never owned or seen a live Chantecler, so really my opinion is unimportant because it's based on heresay. They were on my "breeds of interest" list at first but after doing all the research I could, the Buckeyes won out. I got my impression of their temperaments from what others who have owned them have told me. (The partridge chanteclers (I agree, they should have stayed Albertans) seem to run towards bitchy hens/aggressive roosters (again, what others say), so they were out of the running, and actually of the two I prefer the white chanteclers). That, and watching their behaviour on youtube videos. My impression is they are more leghorn-ish in temperament than Buckeyes. Buckeyes just sit there........ Chanteclers bolt. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing, and I have crossed my buckeyes with my cornish to get some predator smarts into the cross. I'm tired of stepping on Buckeyes ;-) Actually I'm not they are still my favourite breed.

One thing I do like is the look of the Chantecler hens, and the lovely tails on the roosters. They are a spectacular breed, you are lucky to have very good ones, they are quite rare. And of course temperament is very dependent on the breeder's lines.

 

[stryker]

Why???? it's very ugly and prone to infection. That big divot in the middle would probably fill up with all kinds of disgusting lint and stuff........ eeeewwwww.......

It still looks cool! It reminds me of an old lady's hair style.. Well the old lady would of course not make her hair red.

 

[DesertChic]

I'm so bummed! My top breeding NN rooster, Shiloh, died unexpectedly today after being chased by two of my up-and-coming cockerels. I was still distributing feed, had just seen him settle into their favorite dust bathing area, and not five minutes later he was laying there dead. My morning chores doubled while I immediately set to work processing him so as not to lose out on the meat, but it was NOT a good way to start the day.

Gonna miss the ole boy. At least he gave me some outstanding offspring to work with, but I had big plans for him.

Shiloh in his prime:



He processed out at only 5.5 lbs. I think he lost weight over the past few weeks during the pecking order battles, but he was incredibly lean and muscular. I'm thinking I'll try my hand at making Coq au Vin outta this boy after about a week of brining.

Some of my favorites of Shiloh's offspring:

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

@DesertChic that's a shame, I'm sorry to hear that.

RIP Shiloh.
Was it the heat, or do you think it was heart failure? Poor guy, was he taken out by his own sons??!| But you are right, they are handsome fellows so the line will continue.
At least you did the pragmatic thing, I hope he turns out delicious.