Breeding Mutts

[Self sufficient chickens]

I currently have a flock of 11 hens and 3 roosters. I just hatched 10 chicks from the flock and have 21 Araucana eggs in lockdown. The chickens that I currently have are:
- 2 Buff Orpington hens
- 9 Black Sex Link "Breed" hens
- 1 Bantam Columbian Wyandotte cross hen
- Columbian Wyandotte cross rooster
- 2 Wheaten Marans Roosters

I am very interested in preserving rare breeds but not ready to commit to many breeding pens yet. (Particularly interested in Egyptian Fayoumis and Araucanas)

For now, I would just like to breed mutts for fun while still selecting for characteristics that I wish. I would only breed
- 1 Buff Orpington hen
(I like the buff color and Orpington temperament but would not want very much Orpington blood because they are so lazy and don't forage)
- 2 Black Sex Link "Breed" hens
(One is friendly and went broody and the other is fun to have and pretty)
- 1 Bantam Columbian Wyandotte cross hen
(She forages well, does not like to be handled, and is not aggressive)
- Columbian Wyandotte cross rooster
(Great rooster with the hens, protects the hens and is not aggressive towards humans)
- 1 Wheaten Marans Rooster
(Special because he survived this and is very pretty and friendly)

I would choose the best rooster or two and maintain them with the best hens. The rest of the hens would go into an egg-laying flock and the roosters would all be in one rooster flock. What are your thoughts on this plan?

I love my roosters, they are not aggressive but protect the flock. Anyone who free ranges should have a roo!

 

[aart]

I am very interested in preserving rare breeds but not ready to commit to many breeding pens yet.

So how many breeding pens do you have now?

I would choose the best rooster or two and maintain them with the best hens. The rest of the hens would go into an egg-laying flock and the roosters would all be in one rooster flock. What are your thoughts on this plan?

You do know that it takes 3-4 weeks for sperm to clear from a hen,
before putting her with the chosen sire and gathering hatching eggs?

Crossing for certain looks and demeanor can take a long time with lots of culling.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't know what you re trying to achieve with that plan other than maybe having fun, observing genetics, and getting practice. All those are legitimate reasons. If you want to discuss specific goals we can maybe do that but if that's what you want to do, go for it.

 

[Self sufficient chickens]

You do know that it takes 3-4 weeks for sperm to clear from a hen

Yes

Crossing for certain looks and demeanor can take a long time with lots of culling.

maybe having fun, observing genetics, and getting practice

Just having fun right now. It is easier to learn genetics in practice than in a book also.

 

[Mrs. K]

It is more fun, but it is slow. Another couple of points, is number of eggs, and also a good look at the body. Feet, toenails, beaks, feel their body with your hands, and weight at different ages. Feathers cover a lot of sins.

I think your plan will should work fine, but to be honest, I have made lots of plans for my chickens to have other stuff happen. Good luck,

Mrs. K

 

[Self sufficient chickens]

Thanks!