Crossing a Barred rock hen with... any ideas on good matches?

[AnimalCrazed]

I'm looking to expand my flock, i do want more hens and a roo but i want to get some cool crosses out of it. any ideas? i like calm breeds and duel perpose. i like jersey giants but i'm not for sure yet if thats what i'll add.

 

[ChicKat]

If you want to get Black Stars or Black Sex-link hybrids, then use a Rhode Island Red Rooster.

When your chicks hatch they will be fuzzy black chicks, they males should have a white dot on their heads, and the females should be solid black.

When they mature, the females will be black with lighter, redish feathers at the neck, and the males--- I think look like Barred Rocks. They will lay lots of brown eggs, be docile and friendly and some folks consider them a meatier bird than the Red Sex-link which tends to be a little smaller/lighter.

 

[tigercreek]

Australorp rooster will give you a sex-link that is calm, quiet, and a terrific layer. Should help add a good disposition too. May be a little harder to find, but worth the effort. .......stan

 

[AnimalCrazed]

Thanks good ideas! If anyone has anymore ideas i'd love to hear them.

 

[hudsonnascarfan]

Quote:
i like the idea of crossing the barred rock hen with the jersey giant i think when my pullets start laying i will give it a try ive got 2 barred rock pullets 6 jersey giant pullets and a jersey giant rooster but they are only 7 weeks old
now so it will be some time yet but if you do cross them take some pics so that we can see what they look like

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi! I think Jersey Giant would make a nice cross. Another fun cross would be to Ameraucana (or Green-Egger / easter egger) or a Naked Neck. With either (unless they are barred), you'd get barred males and not-barred females and could tell gender at hatch (by the head-spot). I think a LF Cochin and Barred Rock would be a great cross.
Good luck!

Lisa