BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[Beekissed]

I'm thinking this is an inherited trait and one can breed for it....I'm attempting to do so in my flock right now. I'm even trying to breed for a specific type of broodiness~early spring and once per year only....I've got theories about those birds that go broody more than once per year and I've seen it played out here over and over. I don't want bloodlines from habitual broodies, merely broodies that go broody naturally each spring to reproduce their own kind.

I don't think it can be learned, though I don't know of any documented theories or facts on that angle of broodiness.

 

[DesertChic]

On this same topic, is broodiness inherited or learned? If I use a broody hen of another breed to hatch my SS chicks, will they be more likely to go broody?

I'm thinking this is an inherited trait and one can breed for it....I'm attempting to do so in my flock right now. I'm even trying to breed for a specific type of broodiness~early spring and once per year only....I've got theories about those birds that go broody more than once per year and I've seen it played out here over and over. I don't want bloodlines from habitual broodies, merely broodies that go broody naturally each spring to reproduce their own kind.

I don't think it can be learned, though I don't know of any documented theories or facts on that angle of broodiness.

I agree with Beekissed. Based on the research I've done, it's definitely genetic and inherited. Since my one White Rock consistently goes broody every 5-6 week no matter what, the rest of her flock mates would surely have picked up on the behavior by now if it were merely learned behavior.

@Beekissed I hope you keep us posted on the results of your breeding efforts! That sounds fascinating!

 

[hellbender]

I agree with the ladies, it's in the genes. Speaking of broody...my daughter decided to put 6 eggs under one of my hatchery Dark Cornish hens. Tells me she felt sorry for her and didn't like the way I was going to break the brood...simply put her in a crate alone...the usual way.

I believe Ariel just wants to see a hen with chicks...

She used three pure Chantecler and three Chantecler X DC eggs. I don't mind but I'd prefer to use the incubator with perhaps 50 or so eggs to have some control of placement and housing but I don't feel like having words over something this trivial....if it makes her happy, that's good enough.

There are still 9 more of those DCs....I hope Ariel don't decide to get overly happy because I think the whole 'herd' has plans to have a brood-in. They all seem to have that 'Look' in their eyes.

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

I agree with the ladies, it's in the genes. Speaking of broody...my daughter decided to put 6 eggs under one of my hatchery Dark Cornish hens. Tells me she felt sorry for her and didn't like the way I was going to break the brood...simply put her in a crate alone...the usual way.

I believe Ariel just wants to see a hen with chicks...

She used three pure Chantecler and three Chantecler X DC eggs. I don't mind but I'd prefer to use the incubator with perhaps 50 or so eggs to have some control of placement and housing but I don't feel like having words over something this trivial....if it makes her happy, that's good enough.

There are still 9 more of those DCs....I hope Ariel don't decide to get overly happy because I think the whole 'herd' has plans to have a brood-in. They all seem to have that 'Look' in their eyes.

Hellbender I think those Cornish/Chantie crosses will be spectacular! But I agree with you, six is not enough- , me personally, I would have put a few more under there!

 

[hellbender]

Hellbender I think those Cornish/Chantie crosses will be spectacular! But I agree with you, six is not enough- , me personally, I would have put a few more under there!

I haven't discussed it with her but I'm guessing she figures 10 times 6 = ..........

 

[cyborg]

@hellbender , I finally took the plunge and ordered a small batch of Cornish X meaties from Cackle hatchery. I have never raised chickens before specifically for meat, usually stick with dual purpose breeds, with the emphasis on eggs. Anywho, my question is about a post you made several weeks ago about brining the carcasses for a few days before freezing. How strong a brine do you use? (pounds of salt to gallons of water). And, I assume you brine them in the fridge?

 

[stryker]

I haven't discussed it with her but I'm guessing she figures 10 times 6 = ..........

I know what that equals

....

X

=

chicks!!! The bad news is no eggs for you...LOL

 

[RattlesnakeRidgeWV]

I also concur, broodiness is inherited and to me a pain in the butt!

 

[stryker]

Yep agreed. I had 2 broody hens that just hatched out eggs and as soon as the coop was chipping another hen went broody. So 3 hens down several molting and I only got 5 eggs today. Guess it is not bad compared to having over 35 birds. Oh, and one egg only gets to go in the incubator.

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

Yep agreed. I had 2 broody hens that just hatched out eggs and as soon as the coop was chipping another hen went broody. So 3 hens down several molting and I only got 5 eggs today.

Only ONE egg????