breeding question.....

[hubbyho]

Not sure if this is the correct place for this question.....but....
I've got 5 roos in a 12 chicken flock. At least 3 have to go, maybe four but I'm having trouble deciding which ones to keep.
Let's say my Sumatra roo fertilizes my Barred rock eggs. Do the chicks come out cross bred? I would only assume so but I would think the world would be filled with a bunch of multi mixed breeds if that was the case.
Some enlightenment would be great!!! Suggestions Thanks
Don

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Yes, they would be mixed.

I believe they would also be sex-linked. With the roosters being barred and the hens being black.

 

[Chris09]

They would be a mix breed..
All so should be Sex-linked. Tadkerson has a great post/sticky on Sex-linked here

Chris

 

[KellyHM]

Quote:
Barred sex linking only works if the female is barred and the male is solid.

ETA: I'm sure there are exceptions, but that's the usual scenario.

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
Barred sex linking only works if the female is barred and the male is solid.

ETA: I'm sure there are exceptions, but that's the usual scenario.

Right.
He is using a Sumatra rooster over Barred rock hens.
Assuming he is talking about a Black Sumatra...

Chris

 

[KellyHM]

Quote:
Barred sex linking only works if the female is barred and the male is solid.

ETA: I'm sure there are exceptions, but that's the usual scenario.

Right.
He is using a Sumatra rooster over Barred rock hens.
Assuming he is talking about a Black Sumatra...

Chris

LOL, I didn't read the OP's post very well. I just saw this post that I quoted and thought they were talking about the parents. Now I realize they meant the offspring. Oops!

 

[houndit]

Whenever you cross 2 different chickens they are mutts, or as some people prefer to call them mixed breeds.

 

[hubbyho]

Thanks for all the info! Besically if I'm not breeding purebreds, they're all coming out mutts. hmm....
Now for your opinions.....
Ive got to remove 3 out of my 5 roos as the hens are at risk. One is the Sumatra which I'm reading is strictly an ornamental breed and not good confiined, not very good socially. However we had a hen that was taken by a fox that was the friendliest!! My girlfriend wants to keep the Sumatra and make some chicks. I'm thinking that the Sumatra roo is smaller, eating less and easier on the girls than the larger breeds. BUT it's chics may inherit some of that breeds undesired traits. Decisions, decisions.......what do you all think??
My other roos are (i think as i am new) a black Lagshan, a Dark Brama (he's "the Man" right now), and two others that I can't yet ID. All have been pretty good but they're only 7-8 months old and are starting to show their true colors.
AH!

Difficult decisions!!!!

 

[Pathfinders]

My opinion is, if you're not worried about making mutts, then watch the boys for a while and try to determine two things:

- Which one treats his wives well: finds them food, doesn't try to gang rape them, etc.
- Which one is respectful of you. You don't want them overly-friendly, but neither do you want them mean towards humans. Politely respectful is the key.