Cross breeding

[De Bauer]

The pure Barred Rock roosters were only aggressive with each other, not with the pullets even through they were trying to breed with them. I was able to identify 1 Barred Rock rooster that avoided the fighting and had a nice temperament. I kept him, he's the only rooster I have now. The woman of the house was appalled at the aggressiveness of the Dark Cornish rooster I had that "fathered" the mixed breed birds I got. Actually I was too. The final straw was when we watched him breed a hen, get off, then attack her, bloodying her. I went straight to the house, got my .410 and shot him! No more wounded hens from him!

To me roosters fighting with roosters is normal natural behavior.. but the rooster should not be so aggressive when breeding with the hens its drawing blood. But when there are lots of roosters around it can get the so ramped up with aggression it was released on the hens.

Personally I really like
A: Barred Rock H X B: Cornish Dark R = F1AB-H / F1AB-R
C: New Hampshire H X D: Australorp Black R = F1CD-H / F1CD-R
Then see what both sex crosses yield

F1AB-H X F1CD-R = F2ABCB Group 1
F1CD-H X F1AB-R = F2ABCB Group 2

 

[NatJ]

...12 Dark Cornish males from McMurray's...

I really did want to keep one of the mixed roosters but they were very aggressive and violent, harming the females when attempting to breed. I may try doing it over again and see if the next batch aren't so mean but I'll have to get another Dark Cornish rooster.

...Dark Cornish rooster I had that "fathered" the mixed breed birds... we watched him breed a hen, get off, then attack her, bloodying her.

Since you liked the meat of the hybrid birds, but not the temperament of the Dark Cornish rooster or his sons--maybe try buying some Dark Cornish males from a different hatchery, if you try it again. There is a chance that one hatchery's breeder flock may have different temperaments than another.

 

[416bigbore]

Welcome to BYC, You found an Awesome Forum to be a part of with lots of great knowledgeable members who are more then willing to jump in and help you with any questions you may have.

 

[B-Goock]

Thank you for your input, I appreciate it. I really did want to keep one of the mixed roosters but they were very aggressive and violent, harming the females when attempting to breed. I may try doing it over again and see if the next batch aren't so mean but I'll have to get another Dark Cornish rooster. The mixed females I have lay small to medium eggs. Will the size of the eggs have a determining factor on the size of the birds that I hatch from them?

I had a similar issue with almost the same cross. They made great meat birds but showed no mercy trying to mate. I have a 3 sided large shed that is named freezer camp. Every single one of those roos went there.