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I couldn't have said it much better myself...
read my BYC page.
Thanks for your BYC page. That was very informative. Are you actually doing this project? Too bad you are so far away. I have a question. Would it be possible to get the same results using Freedom Ranger females in the first cross?
Where do you live? You'd be suprised at my travel routes, and contact list over the countryside.
Personally, I have not "really" started this project yet, althought I kind of have. I have a set of 4 half hatchery, half breeder quality Cornish pullets, which I could consider to be a DP breed-- which will be covered by a great Cornish male this hatching season- I'm not sure which step you would consider that though- either F1 or F2... I'm planning on keeping the females from that cross though, or atleast some of the better ones. I most interested in seeing how long it takes me to get them up to par with the rest of my flock- if ever. But if I end up keeping enough of them, I'll likely stick in a few for this project.
I do also have a pair of pullets that we kept back this year, which are DC x Maran- although this really isn't much over hatchery quality- so right there is some DP influence. Either way, I think I have that step covered- kind of- for right now.
As of right now, I do not have any CX birds left around. By the time I thought of this breeding scheme, our spring batch was already butchered, our freezer full- and the rest of our chicken pens as well. We'll have to wait until Feb or March to order the next batch- so that will be awhile. Now I do have a friend, who's trying to make a very meaty, blue egg layer- and he's got about 10 CX pullets, which should be getting ready to lay- I think being covered by either a breeder quality DCornish, or an Ameraucauna... I'm actually thinking of getting something from him instead of wasting a year making my own.
My biggest setback through it all, will be finding a pair, or trio of high quality heritige birds, breed really doesn't matter to me- just so they have quality, and meat. To make my ideal cross work out, I need to use something like this, high quality, from the same line, and do it all from the beginning. I mean, sure which what I have right now, I could mix and match and peice together a breeding plan-- but it's not going to be the same, not going to be ideal. Follow me?
Now, with that said, I did pick up a breeding pair of SQ black Ameraucanas this summer, from the Jean Ribbick lines; and I think they are really good birds. The male, I'm sure will be a monsterous framed bird- as he's close to towering over many of my Cornish pullets, and the female average in size. They were purchased on a whim as my wife loves the blue eggs and I thought of running them with our general egg layers to make more blue eggs- but if push comes to shove I think I could work them into my breeding mix, even though they are not as wide and stout as something else I woud prefer.
The other thing keeping me from jumping in head over heals with this project, is our desire to move within the Feb- April time period. With both our jobs, we will be getting transfered at that point, and as or right now are unsure of where that's to be-- even though it shouldn't be far away. Once we get settled in, then it'll be birds galore and breeding like crazy again. Right now, at this rental place, we don't exactly have tons of space to keep birds of all different stages, breeding options, or ages. Let alone the thought of how much it's going to take to move all our crap.
To your question on using the FR birds-- I think it could be a legit option, although I don't think it would be as good. I've thought of this as well, especially considering how many people don't like the CX birds. The best arguement I can think of is , hypothetically, that the FR birds have a CX bird as a parent, and a DP bird as the other. When you bring this onto the scene, you're lossing two things- A- the consistancy factor of the CX birds- and B- you're injecting more DP into the final product, which should lower feed efficiency and meat quantity.
in terms of keeping the FR birds to breed with- I've heard they are exactly the same as the CX birds, poor do'ers, tons of double yolks, and a short laying span.
I guess in all honesty, to me-- going back to the tree to pick up my apple would be the best option, instead of picking it up downhihll of the apple tree in the ditch.
I've also been reseaching this CX background breeding.... and think I might be getting some leads on finding out where parent and grandparent stock might be located...
