Breeding hybrids

[Madame_Mermicorn]

Hi,

I have 2 roosters which I am told are ISA browns. I took them into my existing flock with their sisters. The roos are now separate from all my girls. I am hoping to breed the ISA brown boys with one of my barred rock hens (who are my best layers) or my Blue hen (a good layer). I dont want to breed them with theor sisters. I am interested in getting some attractive grey and white speckled or red and white speckled hens, that still lay reasonably. Would this be a good combination? I've heard breeding ISA browns with non pure breeds can be iffy.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

ISA browns aren't necessarily a pure breed because they are a hybrid.
To the best of my knowledge, breeding an ISA brown with an ISA brown won't yield an ISA brown.
Crossing them with Plymouth Rocks may not be a bad idea but you are adding more questions into the formula.

 

[Madame_Mermicorn]

Hi, Yes, I'm aware that ISA's are hybrids. I was wondering if I should get a pure need hen to breed with them, as hybrid to hybrid seems iffy. I'm pretty sure all my flock are hybrids. I have 2 Barred rocks, a bluebell, a Sussex (who lays poor shelled eggs so not an option), a Warren and 3 ISA brown girls who are the Roo's sisters.
I've heard breeding g 2 hybrids can cause infertility or poor laying?

 

[featheredplanets]

I’ve never heard of that? A hybrid (like a common red laying hybrid) is usually just a mix of two breeds. Like a Bluebell is a RIR x Blue Marans. So breeding your rooster to a Bluebell expecting a certain colour wouldn’t work out, as in reality, you’re breeding two birds who each are two different breeds, so your chicks are going to be a mix of 4 breeds. I wouldn’t think they’d look the alike even from the same hen. I bred my Bluebell to a white Silkie, one was lavender, single comb, feathered legs, black skin. Another was white, walnut comb, yellow skin.
So with that said in my simple terms, as I’m not an expert lol, if you are serious about making your own hybrids, start with pure breeds as then you can gurantee what your birds will look like. Breeding two hybrids will just make barnyard mixes imo.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Hi, Yes, I'm aware that ISA's are hybrids. I was wondering if I should get a pure need hen to breed with them, as hybrid to hybrid seems iffy. I'm pretty sure all my flock are hybrids. I have 2 Barred rocks, a bluebell, a Sussex (who lays poor shelled eggs so not an option), a Warren and 3 ISA brown girls who are the Roo's sisters.
I've heard breeding g 2 hybrids can cause infertility or poor laying?

Plymouth Rocks and Sussex aren't hybrids. The rest are.
Normally, mixing breeds, even hybrids will make a more robust bird because of adding fresh genetics.
Mixing species causes infertility if any offspring survive.
If mixing poor laying breeds, that will likely beget more poor layers. Like crossing cochins, cornish, silkies, sebrights, etc..

 

[Madame_Mermicorn]

Plymouth Rocks and Sussex aren't hybrids. The rest are.
Normally, mixing breeds, even hybrids will make a more robust bird because of adding fresh genetics.
Mixing species causes infertility if any offspring survive.
If mixing poor laying breeds, that will likely beget more poor layers. Like crossing cochins, cornish, silkies, sebrights, etc..

Thanks. I was unsure if barred rocks and sussex were hybrids. This may be the combination I go for in this case.....

 

[Madame_Mermicorn]

I’ve never heard of that? A hybrid (like a common red laying hybrid) is usually just a mix of two breeds. Like a Bluebell is a RIR x Blue Marans. So breeding your rooster to a Bluebell expecting a certain colour wouldn’t work out, as in reality, you’re breeding two birds who each are two different breeds, so your chicks are going to be a mix of 4 breeds. I wouldn’t think they’d look the alike even from the same hen. I bred my Bluebell to a white Silkie, one was lavender, single comb, feathered legs, black skin. Another was white, walnut comb, yellow skin.
So with that said in my simple terms, as I’m not an expert lol, if you are serious about making your own hybrids, start with pure breeds as then you can gurantee what your birds will look like. Breeding two hybrids will just make barnyard mixes imo.

Thank you. I want to get as much info and opinions as possible before I make any attempts at this. I was unsure if barred rocks were a pure breed or not. I have been informed now that they are pure bread, so may be combo I go for. If bluebell is a hybrid, combining her with and ISA that is a hybrid would be an option if they chicks won't develop any health issues. Sounds like the rock with the ISA might be a more reliable mix.......

 

[Broodygranny]

I have had lots of barnyard mix chickens over the years. My chickens have always been great layers, and I haven't had any iss with infertility. I think diverse genetics make healthy birds!

 

[Madame_Mermicorn]

I have had lots of barnyard mix chickens over the years. My chickens have always been great layers, and I haven't had any iss with infertility. I think diverse genetics make healthy birds!

Thanks. If my Barred rock x ISA mixes well I might have a go with ISA x Bluebell in the future. I was just worrying about what health issues might arrive form excessive crossing without much experience. If you and others have tried and tested mixtures without any issues, this brings me confidence I'm itching to start hatching some chuck, chucks. and I think my Roosters are keen too

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Barnyard mixes, what you would have, can be great birds.....you get some neat looking birds.