Clan Mating Questions—Off-topic Lapse Into Breeding Methods

[Fire Ant Farm]

Well, here's my thought.

Hatch a whole bunch of a lot of different parentage, and see what you get, BUT... keep track of who came from what pairing if you can so that if you see something you like (or hate), you know how to replicate it (or avoid it). Even with my limited experience so far, I can tell you that Puppy's daughters with Snape are laying bigger eggs than she did at their age, vs. his daughters with another hen. And that Polly's kids are all too small (going to find a way to exclude her from future hatchings - she's that hatchery New Hampshire that Snape adores).

 

[BantyChooks]

Do not give up, you are not a quitter. (just remember this for the future)

No way. Quitting is not an option.

Well, here's my thought.

Hatch a whole bunch of a lot of different parentage, and see what you get, BUT... keep track of who came from what pairing if you can so that if you see something you like (or hate), you know how to replicate it (or avoid it). Even with my limited experience so far, I can tell you that Puppy's daughters with Snape are laying bigger eggs than she did at their age, vs. his daughters with another hen. And that Polly's kids are all too small (going to find a way to exclude her from future hatchings - she's that hatchery New Hampshire that Snape adores).

I'm making sure to keep records on everything I can think of and that'll include pairings. Ain't no harm in trying... I'm planning to put green band over Alex, so far, I think that will make a good pair. Alex has too much black and too light hackles... Green band has too much red. That's only in the colour dept though, I think they have the two best type and growth rates of the batch. They both feathered quickly and are the healthiest. I think the red has a rose comb but I'll worry about that later. These are young birds, so I can't pass final judgment on plans, but I have a decent idea of what I think will work.

By the way, why isn't Polly named Lilly!?

 

[Wickedchicken6]

I'm finding that I don't have enough space; as in different pens to accommodate the breeding I'd like to do. I have some birds not suitable for breeding stock that I want to keep strictly for laying. I have large fowl, medium fowl and small fowl. And I have separate breeds that require penning...and specific birds within those breeds I want to use.

I hope to have more room next year...but I think it'll require staggered breeding. Doing AI would be handy. I've considered that.