Dixie Rainbow Grow Out Journal - S&G Poultry

[zephyrcreek]

Wow, that's great! I'm glad to hear that you liked it. My family is totally hooked, but I've been hoping to get feedback from others. My mom even ended up taking 5 DR roos home with her after Chickenstock!

Anyways,

The processed birds I had Sunday were the colored rangers. The taste should be the same in the Rainbows as the should grow at the same rate and have a similar activity level. The key seems to be processing at the 12-14 week range for maximum taste while still staying tender.

 

[ChickyLaura]

I'm watching, as well!

Thanks for posting this information, it definitely interests me. I'm lucky to live near J.M. Hatchery (about an hour ride), and want to start raising some of their Colored Rangers.

 

[zephyrcreek]

Here are the pics for this week. Sorry it took me so long.

They way that these Black guys are growing I wish I could request only them. Of coarse I do have a "thing" aobut Black birds.

The yellow chicks are mostly/all roos, but they do not seem to feather as quickly

These seem to be fairly easy to sex. Not 100%, but the yellow and black chicks are roos, orange and smudgy browns are pullets. That's kind of nice to know if you plan on holding any back for breeding.

 

[rizq]

I am so excited to get some of these. I was thrilled to hear they are actually a breed! I was hoping to find something sustainable. I wonder if they sit? No matter ... I want silkies anyway

It is fun living vicariously through your journal until I can order some for myself

 

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

I had a voicemail from S&G when I called with a few questions. Dixie Rainbows are a "true breed" not a hybrid. I was surprised to hear this, but I saved the voicemail as proof. big_smile That was very exciting news to hear as I have wanted to find a meat breed that I could breed myslef without being as dependant on the hatcheries. I guess we will know next year how well it works. As an added note the pullets lay an average if 165-170 eggs per year. Not bad for a "meat" breed in my opinion.love

I emailed them after reading this (today) asking about this same subject. When I get a response I'll post it.

It would seem to me that they would not breed true due to they are a mix of birds, they are not a purebred. With this I would think they would be all over the board on weights and gains, because you would get all the different parents when you bred them back on themselves. At which time you longer have the vigor of the f1 or f2 cross that you buy from them. Now the Johnny Grays and the Reds they might breed true but the rainbows I would have my strong doubts on, just the fact that they are a clear hybrid of some sort. Unless they have found a stable cross that will breed true ?? I guess I will have to wait and see from their response on my email.

It would be great if this is true !! a self sustaining meat flock that produces those numbers every time and you can breed them at home, but iot is almost too good to be true.​

 

[zephyrcreek]

Quote:
I emailed them after reading this (today) asking about this same subject. When I get a response I'll post it.

It would seem to me that they would not breed true due to they are a mix of birds, they are not a purebred. With this I would think they would be all over the board on weights and gains, because you would get all the different parents when you bred them back on themselves. At which time you longer have the vigor of the f1 or f2 cross that you buy from them. Now the Johnny Grays and the Reds they might breed true but the rainbows I would have my strong doubts on, just the fact that they are a clear hybrid of some sort. Unless they have found a stable cross that will breed true ?? I guess I will have to wait and see from their response on my email.

It would be great if this is true !! a self sustaining meat flock that produces those numbers every time and you can breed them at home, but iot is almost too good to be true.

My thoughts exactly. That's why I had to save the voicemail and listen to it twice.

 

[nicalandia]

Quote:
It would be great if this is true !! a self sustaining meat flock that produces those numbers every time and you can breed them at home, but iot is almost too good to be true.

My thoughts exactly. That's why I had to save the voicemail and listen to it twice.

people make mistakes....

I do find very improbable how a NEW breed just pup up...

its very possible and probable to find CornishX blood in them....

 

[zephyrcreek]

I'm not sure what they were developed from, but I have a hard time imagining cornish cross anywhere in their bloodlines. These guys are even more active than the colored range birds from J&M, MUCH MORE ACTIVE. As in the keep right up with my Black Java and Delawares that are the same age. The DR just poop more and grow faster than the Dual purpose birds. No matter what they are...I sure like them!

It will be interesting to see if they do dress out at the size I am hoping for (4-5lbs) at 12 weeks. I keep looking at them ( my 9 week old group) thinking they'll never get that big in time....but I said the exact same thing about my colored range birds and at 12 weeks the average process weight of 50 birds was 4lb 10 oz. I guess I'll know in time.

 

[OSUman]

you should keep some to breed yourself

 

[nicalandia]

Quote:
these guys are on business to make money, do you think they will just thro 30 years of scientific resarch to start NEW blood line of realy fast growing chickens..??

the "Breed" is also a 4 way breed line? WHY?...because of the same reazon they just don´t sell the faster growing and meatieir SIRE line of Broilers...they eat too much and dont lay very well, thats why they have a DAME line, to lower production costs, get more eggs for less feed...I bet they wont breed true...