BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[Beekissed]

DOH 4/28/16 - picture journal 5/8/16 for #115
3/4 Dark Cornish (Bob-50%DC/50%WCR & Marion-DC)
day 10

That's one very well formed and sturdy chick right there!!! Love the coloring, the conformation and how balanced he looks right now, though I like a little more length of back/body in a chick of my breed, I'm sure he is just perfect for a Cornish....sure would like to see a pic of this one when he matures.

 

[DesertChic]

I guess I'm following the path less traveled. Not trying to raise one breed to be all things, but rather, working on two separate flocks, one for eggs, and the other for meat. My main egg breeds are GSL's and California Whites, along with a few fancy egg layers like Ameraucanas and BC Marans. Also some heritage barred Rocks, not the best layers, but they do lay some impressive XL eggs.
Just starting the meat flock with 2 different lines of Cornish X, and some Jersey Giant roosters that I've become to attached to to cull. Still kicking around a third breed (and maybe 4th). Looking at adding light Brahmas primarily, but Javas, White Rocks, and dark Cornish are still hanging in the back of my mind.
Anybody doing any work with Brahmas can jump in and give me some pointers!

My project is quite similar. I have my egg layers, and try to breed towards that, and I have my meat birds that I'm working more diligently on. I've even divided my NN flock into "egg" and "meat", as some of my girls are amazing egg layers and others are plumper and would fair better in helping me create better meat birds. And it's a fun project because I get so many interesting and beautiful feather patterns too, so my aesthetic side is satisfied as well.

If you start working with Brahmas, will you please let me know how they do in our heat?

 

[bluejean55girl]

The slower growth of the giants gets their bone/joints/frame big and strong enough to support their weight before they fill out. Reading on the history of giants they believe they were bred larger by inadvertently selling the faster growing birds early, the lankier ones they kept ended up growing out much larger than the faster growing giants and were the ones left for breeding.
NJGC;"Cockerels weighing 9 pounds at 6 months of age, Capons weighing 12 pounds at 7 months, and pullets starting to lay at 6 months."
I butchered one of our cockerels at six months and it was very meaty, huge legs, and tender. They just have large turkey like bones and can pack on much more weight given more time. Capons at 9 months to a yr 16-18 lbs.

wonder how these would cross with the bielefelder?

 

[DesertChic]

wonder how these would cross with the bielefelder?

I think you should give it a try and let us know.

 

[bluejean55girl]

I think you should give it a try and let us know. 

lol, I'm too far down the path with Bielefelder and Swedish flower hens. Couldn't resist the swedes because of their beautiful colors. Reminds me of the longhorn color variations. Managed to resist getting any white Cornish this spring but just barely.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Quote:
Looky at my pretty pretty Aloha Naked Necks! (I'm actually in crisis because they're just so pretty - how to cull?!)



- Ant Farm

 

[bluejean55girl]

Looky at my pretty pretty Aloha Naked Necks! (I'm actually in crisis because they're just so pretty - how to cull?!) - Ant Farm

yep, pretty colors!

 

[jbkirk]

Right now, all breeds are separate, but doing experimental crosses between breeds. One I like so far is a Jersey Giant over a barred Rock, got a barred rooster with a black tail and speckled black and yellow legs. He grew to size MUCH faster than his JG sire. Planning on crossing him back over a JG hen, and seeing if I can keep the faster growth, and maybe developing a sex linked barred Giant?

FYI sex linking only happens in hybrids, while auto sexing can be reproduced year after year.

 

[Beer can]

@Fire Ant Farm wow! Super pretty! I bet you could sell them pretty easy.

 

[cyborg]

Right now, all breeds are separate, but doing experimental crosses between breeds. One I like so far is a Jersey Giant over a barred Rock, got a barred rooster with a black tail and speckled black and yellow legs. He grew to size MUCH faster than his JG sire. Planning on crossing him back over a JG hen, and seeing if I can keep the faster growth, and maybe developing a sex linked barred Giant?

FYI sex linking only happens in hybrids, while auto sexing can be reproduced year after year.

Yes, the first generation will be JG/BR hybrids, but if I can successfully introduce the barring gene to the JG's, later generations should be autosexing (white spot on cockerels heads).