Breeding Sex Links - third generation

[Fred's Hens]

Wow, THANK YOU, Fred's Hens! I can't tell you how many months I've been pouring over information on breeding RSL and BSL birds. The research you've done is just amazing. You've answered a lot of questions that I've been pondering and some that I didn't even know I had. I just subscribed and I will definitely be following this thread. Thanks again!

You're very welcome. All I'm doing is sharing our experience. I do not even pretend to know very much about genetics. Chickens? yes, but genetics, not much.
If there is anything specific you would like to ask a question about, I'll see if I can relate something from our experiences that might be of some value to you.

 

[Chris09]

Chris09

The roots of the ISA Brown go back 30 years. They stormed the commercial world with this strain, a decade or two back.

The French "designed" the bird originally, as I recall. I only know they've kept their "formula" amazingly secret all these years. Often copied, that is for sure.
Whatever one of the White bird stock is, it is amazing. I'd love to know myself whether it might be Sussex. Do you think they could have gotten that high level of laying ability out of a Sussex though? My experience has only been with Speckled Sussex and they laid a small egg and were weak layers all the way around.

It's possible depending on how far back in the breeding it was used and how good the original stock was.
But there are a number of white fowl that could have been used. Shoot the UK has so many different varieties of breeds of fowl it isn't funny. They even have a White variety of the New Hampshire that looks a lot like what the hatcheries here are calling a "Rhode Island White".


Chris

 

[Fred's Hens]

It's possible depending on how far back in the breeding it was used and how good the original stock was.
But there are a number of white fowl that could have been used. Shoot the UK has so many different varieties of breeds of fowl it isn't funny. They even have a White variety of the New Hampshire that looks a lot like what the hatcheries here are calling a "Rhode Island White".


Chris

Thanks Chris. I so value your knowledge and input.

Like me, I'm sure you've looked at the photo page of Townline's website. As a licensed ISA dealer, they obviously must get either the grandparent stock (via jet shipped eggs) or parent stock (via jet shipped eggs) from ISA, no? Looking at the photo's posted, the rooster used is obviously filled with RIR blood. But the white birds shown in the parent stock photos is a complete mystery to me. What do you see?

 

[Chris09]

The Red rooster has a lot Rhode Island Red in him, but I also see some Leghorn in him also. Not the U.S. Leghorn but the U.K. Leghorn.

Red Leghorn U.K. type
http://leghornclubaustralia.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=110525343
http://leghornclubaustralia.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=110525344

Chris

 

[donrae]

Fred, have you butchered out any third gen cockerals? From the size of those hens, I'd wonder if they would make a good meat bird.
I know of some folks around here that buy the rsl cockerals and raise them for butcher, they're pretty happy with them but I'd wonder if you could get a bit larger. Those hens are georgous!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Fred, have you butchered out any third gen cockerals? From the size of those hens, I'd wonder if they would make a good meat bird.
I know of some folks around here that buy the rsl cockerals and raise them for butcher, they're pretty happy with them but I'd wonder if you could get a bit larger. Those hens are georgous!

Oh yes, the roosters from gen 1,2 and 3 have mostly been HUGE. The BSL roosters have run about 9 lbs live weight, and the RSL roosters have pretty well matched them, maybe 8.5-9 lbs live weight. Typical DP carcass. If you want to breed meat birds, you'd likely start with something else?

That said, a bunch of RSL roosters, for free? Why not eat them?

 

[Fred's Hens]

But these white hens? They've won me over in powerful way. Yes, they're beautiful; stunning really. Yes, they are robust and healthy and are GREAT layers. But, to really win your heart, a bird must be friendly, curious, and must be calm, reserved, self-confident, have an almost regal attitude.

These girls have all that in spades. We will continue to specifically breed for them. Breed a great bird from ISA Brown stock? Shockingly? Oh my. Yes you can.

 

[RoostersCrow HensDeliver!]

Fred, have you noticed any broody tendencies with the F3 ISA? I am assuming you are hatching these with an incubator.

 

[Fred's Hens]

We've never seen the slightest inclination of broodiness. One must assume that's been effectively bred out in the 30 year development of the commercial layer. No doubt, one in ten thousand will come along and sure enough go broody. Meanwhile, yes incubator. Broodiness isn't a feature we are even the slightest bit concerned about.

The DNA of these birds is one of being a layer, first and foremost. They get in and out of the laying box quickly.

 

[draye]

These 3rd generation hens look a lot like the White Rocks that I use to have, although maybe a tad bit bigger, mine were hatchery stock.