BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[Our Roost]

I have been told by a more experienced and educated person in the know that color features only account for 1% or less of the transferred genetics. Some physical features like barring are more dominant than others. Focus on egg size and rate of lay if you are breeding for production from the hens and focus on stature and size from the rooster.

 

[gjensen]

I have been told by a more experienced and educated person in the know that color features only account for 1% or less of the transferred genetics. Some physical features like barring are more dominant than others. Focus on egg size and rate of lay if you are breeding for production from the hens and focus on stature and size from the rooster.

That is true, and a good post.

What could be added is that for any that have a challenging color, and it matters to them, color should not be neglected along the way. Cuckoo is not one of those colors.

 

[draye]

@ Hellbender:

A report from my Green Egger Naked Project

The one and only pullet from this cross that is laying is a pretty good layer.

She is averaging an egg every other day. So by my definition she a good layer.

 

[bramblefir]

WOW!!!!! Gorgeous roo. Don't you just love roos? So luxurious in their coloring. Speaking of Roos...

I have a dilemma: I have narrowed my Olive Egger roo selection down to two boys.I need your thoughts

Roo 1: Great Cuckoo MAran markings- this is where I hope to get the dark brown for that really olive egg. Early to mature. He is already mating with the other hens. A bit of a small frame though. Also, he is pretty aggressive. Actually a bit of a terror, but I do need to cull some boys from the pen...

Roo 2: Large and boxier. Markings aren't very impressive. Is now mature just 2 weeks behind his counterpart. Much nicer and seems to get along with everyone. I think this would yield larger hens therefore bigger eggs. Really the size difference is very noticeable.

Both from same X of cucloo maran and americana. My goal is egg production and of course color.

Should I nail color first or production? Thoughts on choice? Help me out here seasoned breeders.

Go with #2. Make your cake and frost it later.

 

[dfr1973]

Roo 2: Large and boxier. Markings aren't very impressive. Is now mature just 2 weeks behind his counterpart. Much nicer and seems to get along with everyone. I think this would yield larger hens therefore bigger eggs. Really the size difference is very noticeable.

Both from same X of cucloo maran and americana. My goal is egg production and of course color.

Should I nail color first or production? Thoughts on choice? Help me out here seasoned breeders.

Certainly not a seasoned breeder by any stretch of the imagination, but if by "boxier and large" you mean he has more meat on his frame, I'd go with the meatier cockerel. By mature, do you mean trying to crow? Two weeks is not so huge a difference in cockerels if the size difference is as noticeable as you imply. While egg production is your goal, you will still inevitably hatch out cockerels and you will need to do something with them. By larger hens, do you mean broader? If so, would that be in front or back?

George, "roo" is short for rooster, not kangaroo.

 

[gjensen]

Certainly not a seasoned breeder by any stretch of the imagination, but if by "boxier and large" you mean he has more meat on his frame, I'd go with the meatier cockerel. By mature, do you mean trying to crow? Two weeks is not so huge a difference in cockerels if the size difference is as noticeable as you imply. While egg production is your goal, you will still inevitably hatch out cockerels and you will need to do something with them. By larger hens, do you mean broader? If so, would that be in front or back?

George, "roo" is short for rooster, not kangaroo.

I know. LOL. I have never gotten used to the new slang.

I was trying to raise the bar a bit, by picking. Roo or rooster dos not tell the age etc. When I hear cockerel I know that it is an immature male under a year. When I hear cock or cock bird I know that it is a mature male over one year.

 

[dfr1973]

I know. LOL. I have never gotten used to the new slang.

I was trying to raise the bar a bit, by picking. Roo or rooster dos not tell the age etc. When I hear cockerel I know that it is an immature male under a year. When I hear cock or cock bird I know that it is a mature male over one year.

I have heard/read that rooster and cock are synonymous - both describe a male chicken over one year of age. I was under the impression that whichever you tend to use depends on region. As for the new slang ... I guess you have not come across "roolet" yet in place of cockerel?

 

[Fred's Hens]

A young female/male horse is called?
A young female/male pig is called?


Using proper terms for filly, colt, mare, stallion, gelding is considered simply being up on horsemanship, not a snooty thing at all.
Same with gilt, barrow, sow, boar, etc in hogs.

When poultry moved from the farm and farm familiar surroundings to being re-embraced as a hobby by the long disconnected urban and suburbanites, the language and terms became "pet-like" in nature. Shrug.

I have my personal preference on such things. To me, accuracy of terms is important. It surely is not to others.

 

[Our Roost]

Nothing better than a bunch of little "roolets" running around!

 

[Heron's Nest Farm]

I know. LOL. I have never gotten used to the new slang.

I was trying to raise the bar a bit, by picking. Roo or rooster dos not tell the age etc. When I hear cockerel I know that it is an immature male under a year. When I hear cock or cock bird I know that it is a mature male over one year.

By all means call me up to standard!

These are cockerels.

I think I am going to "make my cake" and frost it later, although another member on the OE thread brought up the comb as an issue. The boxier boy has a straight and not a pea. So I'm thinking about it. What I'm really thinking about is constructing a grow out pen with haste! Then I could watch them a bit longer!!!!!

I have two little cockerels I'm taking our today....