Can I breed my crossbeak?

[nicalandia]

WOW...sorry she is a NO GO................poor thing

 

[PattiXmas]

Wow - poor baby. If you are just breeding for eating, why are you concerned that her coloring is the best. I know that when people breed dogs, they breed first for soundness and the last thing they worry about is color. I would consider making a tasty chicken sandwich out of her.

 

[Kezzie]

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Is there a reason she couldn't at least be part of the laying flock? She truly is in NO distress and is the largest of my Maran hens. She doesn't limp and eats and drinks just fine.

And I'm not just wanting to have some mutts to eat- I want to develop a line of attractive cuckood meat birds. Not trying to be snippy, but I don't think I'm being clear enough about my intentions.

 

[Cuban Longtails]

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A practice also followed by honest poultry breeders.

 

[Cuban Longtails]

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Oh for sure, keep her as one of your layers. Her eggs will be just as tasty as the others.

 

[PattiXmas]

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A practice also followed by honest poultry breeders.

And see, I would be afraid that any (if not all) offspring from this hen would be messed up. I mean, it's very obvious that she has some problems going on whether genetic or not.

I am very new to the chicken world, but something like this hen would freak me right out. I definitely wouldn't be considering her for a "foundation" of my flock.

 

[PattiXmas]

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Oh for sure, keep her as one of your layers. Her eggs will be just as tasty as the others.

I was thinking this!

 

[DTchickens]

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I agree.. Plus i've always "heard" (never wanted to try it) that if you cross in bad stuff (cross beaks for example.. Or other genetic defects) it can still show up on down the line.. Especially if you happened to inbreed them.

As for keeping her as you're layer? Definately! But "I" wouldn't use her in any breeding programs..

 

[Kezzie]

So there's no way for certain to know whether it is genetic or not?

 

[PattiXmas]

We purchased Crested ducks for our first year in poultry/waterfowl. Since learning that the "crest" is actually a defect, I have decided that the ducks we have are only going to be used for food. My kids were so excited when we first got them because they were adorable and they wanted to hatch their eggs. I REFUSE to allow my kids to "breed" for cuteness. I am even ashamed of myself for purchasing these ducks without completely researching them. I contributed to what I personally feel is an encouragement of breeding in defects instead of soundness.