Ok, sounds good! I'll just see what happens. That is if she goes broody. With a few of my big girls eggs and a few of hers. Can I ask one question? How many eggs can a bantam cover. I hear they can make them selfs quite puffy . Thank you very much for your information I really appreciate it! And yes no time for a lesson on genetics. Is there a Dummy book for breeding and genetics you would recommend ?
So cute!
Angie please forgive me if this is too blunt or sounds rude, but there is no such thing as a dummy working with the genetics of chickens. I've bred and exhibited numerous species and breeds of animals and yes, even flowers. I can say with no hesitation or qualification, there is NOTHING as difficult as the genetics of chickens. Unless you want to become a student and are determined to breed and raise a particular variety or breed of chicken, I suggest you forget about purchasing any books on the matter as it will be a terrible waste of money. As I sit here trying to recall how I got from point A to this point, I can't tell you. Only to say that it has been what feels like a very long road and I haven't even been at it very long compared to many other major breeders.If you'd like to get just a taste of what would be in store for you if you were to start breeding chickens, go to the library and take out or request a small book by Brian Reeder titled, "An Introduction to Form and Feathering of the Domestic Fowl." It's about as simple as it gets and that's not saying much. If you find that you are falling in love with the science and can't wait to get started breeding and/or improving a particular chicken, then I would look for a breed club and join. For me it's Cochins International because I'm passionate about Cochins and have picked the variety called Birchen to bang my head against.
Quote:Amen to all you said! You were not rude at all. But stated very good information.
The fact that you are working on Cochins is a very large + too.
Oh no, you are not being rude at all! Just being honest. Best policy ! My grandpa had a huge chicken farm 6,000 chickens. I wish he was still around! I have learned so much from BYC already. I completely understand this is a science. A science that will take me years to learn as well . I appreciate your help and input and hope I can reach out to you in the future? This will be my first run on a broody hen and I'm excited but nervous. However I'm sure I will learn from my errors. As I'm sure you did as well. I'll give it a few months and re poust pics maybe from there you could give me your best thought on whichCochin Roo to bread with mille ? I really appreciate your help ! I can't wait to see what spring has in storeAngie please forgive me if this is too blunt or sounds rude, but there is no such thing as a dummy working with the genetics of chickens. I've bred and exhibited numerous species and breeds of animals and yes, even flowers. I can say with no hesitation or qualification, there is NOTHING as difficult as the genetics of chickens. Unless you want to become a student and are determined to breed and raise a particular variety or breed of chicken, I suggest you forget about purchasing any books on the matter as it will be a terrible waste of money. As I sit here trying to recall how I got from point A to this point, I can't tell you. Only to say that it has been what feels like a very long road and I haven't even been at it very long compared to many other major breeders.If you'd like to get just a taste of what would be in store for you if you were to start breeding chickens, go to the library and take out or request a small book by Brian Reeder titled, "An Introduction to Form and Feathering of the Domestic Fowl." It's about as simple as it gets and that's not saying much. If you find that you are falling in love with the science and can't wait to get started breeding and/or improving a particular chicken, then I would look for a breed club and join. For me it's Cochins International because I'm passionate about Cochins and have picked the variety called Birchen to bang my head against.
Sorry I couldn't give you an A B C answer, but it is a true answer. Best of luck and let me know if you want to get on the band wagon.
Angie if your Grandfather had 6000 chickens, I'm sure he learned a lot over the years and would have had a lot to share with you. However, I would also imagine that he would not tolerate the coddling that we give to our pet birds now a days. I only have around 50 birds and there comes a point after doctoring numerous birds that you are actually causing more problems than helping. I heard experienced breeders tout the evils of over medicating and until I began to experience the problems associated with it, I persisted. When I finally stopped, my flock began to improve in health and I lost fewer and fewer birds to illness. That's not to say I didn't lose several birds at first, but honestly they needed to go. If they're not healthy enough to make it then they have no place in a breeding program. Tough pill to swallow. I don't mean to digress, but only to give this example of some of the more difficult choices that breeders need to make. I also know that many of the "old time" practices of managing a flock were ineffective and at times down right pointless. My mother at 93 has told of things my Grandmother did to manage her birds, i.e., she would run a stiff blade of grass down the throats of birds that had the gapes. Of course we know now what causes this and how to cure it, but things were often done out of ignorance or desperation. I'm glad I'm raising birds now rather than then.Oh no, you are not being rude at all! Just being honest. Best policy ! My grandpa had a huge chicken farm 6,000 chickens. I wish he was still around! I have learned so much from BYC already. I completely understand this is a science. A science that will take me years to learn as well . I appreciate your help and input and hope I can reach out to you in the future? This will be my first run on a broody hen and I'm excited but nervous. However I'm sure I will learn from my errors. As I'm sure you did as well. I'll give it a few months and re poust pics maybe from there you could give me your best thought on whichCochin Roo to bread with mille ? I really appreciate your help ! I can't wait to see what spring has in store
I am not a Red breeder, but see a lot of the post about breeding Reds in the discussions about them on the FB page Rare & Parti-Colored Cochin Preservation & Advancement
