crossing a game rooster with a dominic hen

[KenK]

Chris' post about using black game fowl had me thinking about these:

I've got this nice Sid Taylor pullet. Maybe a reason to keep one of my Dominique cockerals? Advantage/disadvantages to crossing this way instead of using a game rooster?

Also have this. Did think it was a pullet but now believe it is a stag. Seems to have a lot of oriental breeding in it. It is most assuredly an odd acting bird and has been ever since hatch. Is next in line for dinner but will hate to kill it.

 

[centrarchid]

KenK,

Using a black (extended black) bird for out cross will reduce number of generations required to coverup or eliminate color (reds and browns).

I looked up images for black version of Sid Taylors. They look very similar to what we used to call Doc Kniefords in that both are black and roosters have varying amount of red in hackles. They tend to be slow maturing, even for games, and if memory serves they almost always went through eclipse molt during summer were most if not all read of hackles was lost. Such a multing pattern might be very helpful to dominique heat tolerance. My adult doms have a hard time with heat.

 

[KenK]

Had not planned on setting any more eggs until the spring but my Dominique pullets are laying like crazy and I decided to go ahead and incubate a few. I have seen the Sussex cockerel tread one of the Dom pullets but they should be mostly be game over Dominique. Also set some of the game pullet eggs, I know the Sussex hasn't bred them.

Don't have high hopes or plan to keep any of these unless I get a pullet from the game eggs. Should give me some kind of clue as to the meat bird potential of this cross with my particular birds.

 

[Chris09]

Ken,
I would say give it a try, some of the Sid stock has some of the O'Neal Dom stock bred into them so there is a possibility of pulling some of that out also.

If you cross a Dominique Rooster over you Sid stock there F1 offspring should all have good Dominique Barring.
The Black Fowl that I am using is Sheldon Black Roundheads and I like the cross very much.


Chris

 

[gmendoza]

Quote:
I have 2 hens that look just like this.I crossed them with a red sex link roo and a american game hen. Odd color to come out completely black,but oh well.

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
My cross of dominique female x game male excells free range in that they get out there and forage. Even when feeder running low, the crossed birds hit roost with full crops while pure doms go to roost empty. They (cross) are slower than pure dominiques at putting on frame but muscle development is better in that like pure game, the muscle mass keeps up nicely with frame and does so without excessive fat deposition. Also by 20 weeks my crosses are heavier than their fully mature game sire and nearly and about same size and weight as maternal uncles.

 

[centrarchid]

COLOR VARIGATION IN DOMINIQUE X GAME MALES


I am in process of scrutenizing young of year dominique crosses to see which will be going into breeder pens. Three males and six females will be repressenting each cross. Nobody has coloration desired for SOP so body type, comb type, symmetry and feel while in the hand are only characteristics used for F1's. Only females that are jet black or very close to it will be carried forward. All cockerols making cut are showing signs of varigation. By varigation, I mean random coloration in body feathers and black spots on legs. Anyone else seeing such with their crosses? Mine did not show this until about 12 weeks post hatch.

 

[centrarchid]

F1 Cackle Hatchery Dominique x American game. Both birds are rock solid and have been since hatch. Pure doms of same cohort did not put on muscle mass until nearly full sized. The cross is a much stronger flier because of muscling and better feather quality.

Pullet, all black morph.

Cockerol, tail has another 45 days of growing but should be large like with game.

Variagated pattern on legs.

 

[KenK]

Just candled my eggs at day ten. The game pullets and Dominique pullets both started laying about the same time even though the games were about five weeks older.

9 Dominique eggs and not a single one has developed.
7 Game eggs and every one is developing.

 

[stuckinthecity]

How are everyone's crosses doing? Btw, centrarchid, that's is one beautiful pullet. I love how she's built. What's your plan for these F1 birds? Will you be using both females and males for back crossing?