BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[hellbender]

I'm thinking you'll have to go by that the roosters parents (hen) done as far a egg production.

@jonsccm

If possible, you need to consider both parents of the prospective cock bird. What breed(s) do you have?

 

[jonsccm]

I

[COLOR=FF0000]@jonsccm[/COLOR]

If possible, you need to consider both parents of the prospective cock bird.  What breed(s) do you have?

I have a few breeds as of now. But my main layers this year are barred rocks and RIR. They are hatchery stalk so I don't know much about there lines as I start breeding them I can start watching production. Right now I have 3 roosters of each breed so I was hoping there were some tips or tricks to evaluate them so I could get rid of my extras. I also have some BCM that are a week old right now that I will be trying to breed for production and egg color. If that's posible....

 

[bmvf]

Speaking of hatchery stock and what they are bred for.

For a dual purpose production minded person, is it better to breed a show type, SOP, bird towards production? Or is it easier to take a production bred bird (such as hatchery stock) and breed towards the SOP?

Keep in mind that I'm not talking about creating a bird that can compete at shows or is something to brag about on the SOP threads at BYC. I'm talking about taking a hatchery bird and breeding it towards it's intended dual purpose.

 

[southernmomma]

http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/ALBCchicken_assessment-1.pdf
http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/A...a.org/fdocuments/ALBCchicken_assessment-3.pdf


@bmvf you may find these links informative.

M

 

[ronott1]

Speaking of hatchery stock and what they are bred for.

For a dual purpose production minded person, is it better to breed a show type, SOP, bird towards production? Or is it easier to take a production bred bird (such as hatchery stock) and breed towards the SOP?

Keep in mind that I'm not talking about creating a bird that can compete at shows or is something to brag about on the SOP threads at BYC. I'm talking about taking a hatchery bird and breeding it towards it's intended dual purpose.

From what I can glean from reading stuff about it, the SOP breeds will, sometimes, lose production because of not breeding for production. Taking a long time to reach POL and adding meat at a good rate is less important than looking good.

A lot of Hatchery breeds have been crossed with leghorns so they lay well and fast but do not get big so are hard to get up to good meat production.

It seems like some do have good production and are moving up into the SOP Spectrum. Horstman has Kittle RIRs that are good egg layers and the grow fairly fast.

Still the Pita Pintas from Spain and The EO Marraduna Basque have many breeds beaten for both.

 

[gjensen]

I know which hybrid is suitable for our area~ it might be worth trying out. Is this something available in small quantities to the general public? I can't find a single source using the brand/hybrid name (which is actually just a few letters and numbers).

M

Just find varieties not high in Tannins. It is also a pretty hard grain, so plan on some form of processing. Soaking would be fine.

 

[gjensen]

Speaking of hatchery stock and what they are bred for.

For a dual purpose production minded person, is it better to breed a show type, SOP, bird towards production? Or is it easier to take a production bred bird (such as hatchery stock) and breed towards the SOP?

Keep in mind that I'm not talking about creating a bird that can compete at shows or is something to brag about on the SOP threads at BYC. I'm talking about taking a hatchery bird and breeding it towards it's intended dual purpose.

Depends on what you call "dual purpose production". If you want them true to type, you will be better off with Standard bred birds, even if it means crossing strains. Often all the hatchery birds have in common with a breed or variety is the color pattern.
The trick is learning what is out there, knowing what you want, and securing them. This is easier with some than others.
What hatcheries do best is commercial hybrid layers and meat strains.

 

[Arielle]

http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/ALBCchicken_assessment-1.pdf
http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/A...a.org/fdocuments/ALBCchicken_assessment-3.pdf


@bmvf you may find these links informative.

M

Don Schrider worked on the Buckeyes for this project. WHat is particularly interesting is the lines that he chose for the project: He selected the best old heritage breeder stock from long time breeders available. I'm sorry I can't remember the exact lines-- 3-4 lines as I recall, I think URch and for certain Rhodes. While the proces can certainly be used on any stock including the hatchery birds, my point is that he did two things: picked the best of the best to start with AND used 3-4 lines. After several years working on this project, this new line became the ALBC line. I find it interesting that Chris McCathy breeds the ALBC and has added more Urch stock to the rotation.

ALso in reading an old Sussex book from early 1900's, the "breed" had been in the works for many decades, and was then approved as a breed ( this is in England) and yet the 3 variieties would develop for another 30 years . . . .development can be slow but still serve a valuable purpose as food and/or eggs along the way to SOP.

 

[thedragonlady]

I tried to explain this to some fodder enthusiasts. They did not get it but the point was that well managed forage is as nutritious. The may point being what you said here. That it be young and diverse. Many "weeds" are high in protein. I prefer these weeds over the coarse grasses.
What this "environment" lacks the most is energy.

I routinely tested hay for protein and TDN for my Nubian herd. We had good browse on my farm, and the goats relished it. I took samples one day of what the herd was munching on.Amazing that all those weeds, bushes, brambles, etc., were just as high in protein and TDN, as my very expensive, New Mexico, irrigation grown Alfalfa.

 

[southernmomma]

From what I can glean from reading stuff about it, the SOP breeds will, sometimes, lose production because of not breeding for production. Taking a long time to reach POL and adding meat at a good rate is less important than looking good.

A lot of Hatchery breeds have been crossed with leghorns so they lay well and fast but do not get big so are hard to get up to good meat production.

It seems like some do have good production and are moving up into the SOP Spectrum. Horstman has Kittle RIRs that are good egg layers and the grow fairly fast.

Still the Pita Pintas from Spain and The EO Marraduna Basque have many breeds beaten for both.

I like the Basque a lot~ any broody strains developing?


M