- Mar 6, 2016
- 204
- 426
- 196
Ok I've read a lot of posts at BYC about breeding with the Cornish Rock or Cornish cross aka CX.
I've actually accomplished crossing other varieties to CX hens, that's easy. I want to try a few different ideas I've been tossing around and maybe some others I've recently come across though.
One of my older ideas was inbreeding the CX which a lot of people think is impossible but probably not so many here at BYC because of @duluthralphie and his work with the CX crosses.
I admire his determination and knowledge a great deal. He actually mated CX roosters to CX hens and hatched offspring without using artificial insemination. I have to admit I actually tried artificial insemination on CX and failed but think I could accomplish it now after watching some YouTube videos on the exact topic.
I like Ralphies dedication to making it happen natural but I think a little differently on this topic. Im definitely not against letting nature do its thing because it is so much easier. Probably even more so once the initial "f2" is made. Theoretically inbreeding CXs should slowly take the hybrid vigor out of the line. From there I think if it was done with proper care you would end up with birds that carry the desired traits initially found in the CX cross but the vigor and probably huge size come down to a more "normalized" result. Hopefully anyway.
But in my eyes it might take a generation or 2 of artificial insemination to accomplish the task.
To naturally inseminate an often used idea is to somewhat starve the CX roosters and even hens sometimes so their smaller structure will allow for copulation. This actually works but by starving the CX roosters you arent going to see their full potential as a breeding bird. I'm not saying one way is better than the other at this point because I havent accomplished either. Just stating the obvious that immediately comes to mind.
I also plan on using back crossing techniques to CX hens by using White American Bresse, New Hampshire Reds and Barred Rocks then back crossing each line separately through generations to CX hens until we get nice meaty yet still healthy birds. Not thinking it should take more than 2 or 3 back crossings to CX to achieve meaty birds.
At that point I would experiment with creating true breeding F4s and beyond and just keep trying to improve on those to use. Then maybe use those to cross with the CX inbred line.
Anyway there it is, all pretty much laid out. I'll try to get some pictures of the first birds I plan to use in the project. Cant do the NHs yet though because they are coming in September.
I've actually accomplished crossing other varieties to CX hens, that's easy. I want to try a few different ideas I've been tossing around and maybe some others I've recently come across though.
One of my older ideas was inbreeding the CX which a lot of people think is impossible but probably not so many here at BYC because of @duluthralphie and his work with the CX crosses.
I admire his determination and knowledge a great deal. He actually mated CX roosters to CX hens and hatched offspring without using artificial insemination. I have to admit I actually tried artificial insemination on CX and failed but think I could accomplish it now after watching some YouTube videos on the exact topic.
I like Ralphies dedication to making it happen natural but I think a little differently on this topic. Im definitely not against letting nature do its thing because it is so much easier. Probably even more so once the initial "f2" is made. Theoretically inbreeding CXs should slowly take the hybrid vigor out of the line. From there I think if it was done with proper care you would end up with birds that carry the desired traits initially found in the CX cross but the vigor and probably huge size come down to a more "normalized" result. Hopefully anyway.
But in my eyes it might take a generation or 2 of artificial insemination to accomplish the task.
To naturally inseminate an often used idea is to somewhat starve the CX roosters and even hens sometimes so their smaller structure will allow for copulation. This actually works but by starving the CX roosters you arent going to see their full potential as a breeding bird. I'm not saying one way is better than the other at this point because I havent accomplished either. Just stating the obvious that immediately comes to mind.
I also plan on using back crossing techniques to CX hens by using White American Bresse, New Hampshire Reds and Barred Rocks then back crossing each line separately through generations to CX hens until we get nice meaty yet still healthy birds. Not thinking it should take more than 2 or 3 back crossings to CX to achieve meaty birds.
At that point I would experiment with creating true breeding F4s and beyond and just keep trying to improve on those to use. Then maybe use those to cross with the CX inbred line.
Anyway there it is, all pretty much laid out. I'll try to get some pictures of the first birds I plan to use in the project. Cant do the NHs yet though because they are coming in September.
