Dixie Rainbows - How did they come about?

[JulieZ]

Now that I am looking into incubating eggs, I'm making a sound decision to be specific on the breed I'd like to work with. My "Dixie Rainbows" are large brown egg layers nearly daily & seem to be fairly well tempered, which I love. But I am wondering where Dixie Rainbows came from? Any specific breed match?

Do all chickens cross breed? I have "A" Buff Orphington roo. He is with BO's, Dixie Rainbows, Light/Dark Brahma's & Barred Rocks. If they cross breed ... what can I expect in return with tempers, egg production, colors, etc.?

 

[Goose and Fig]

I'm not familiar with Dixie Rainbows- but it sounds like one of the hybrid names that certain hatcheries put out. You can cross your roo with all of your hens, but if you just want pure Orps- only hatch the orp eggs. Then you'll know what to expect. I'm a bit biased though- I think orps are such a great all-around breed

 

[JulieZ]

I agree ... I LOVE my Buff's. From what I'm reading, cross breeding is for mass quantities of chickens with no worries about genetics ... so to speak. Right or wrong, if I'm to do this, I want to go all the way with one kind of breed. Now the debate begins with Buff's or Barred's. Both great tempers, gorgeous to stare at & brown egg layers. How to figure out which one is laying the egg is now the question. Perhaps a camp out is in order. Thrilling ... LOL

From the little bit I'm catching on Dixie's ... they are cross bred with whatever & lay exceptionally large eggs.

 

[dsqard]

I did a little searching online and it seems like the Dixie Rainbow is supposed to be more of a meat bird than an egg layer although it is listed as a dual purpose bird. I got the information off of S and G Poultry's website. It looks like they were the ones that developed the "breed".

 

[JulieZ]

These Dixie's of mine ... HUGE X-Large eggs. My Dixie's are not all that cute right now because of their feathers growing in from what the roo's did to them at their original home : Cognito Farms in Stark, Florida. They are daily layers. Based on the egg size, I have thought about incubating some. Not sure I'd eat them but that may be another stage for another time.

 

[draye]

Quote:
Still got those Dixie Rainbows? They look like an interesting breed to me.

 

[Roxanna]

When did your Dixie's start laying?

 

[NacientNeedle]

If that is the case then my Dixie Rainbows are NOT Dixie Rainbows because they are excellent layers, but small bodied birds, which are not suitable at all for meat.

 

[NacientNeedle]

my Dixie rainbows also lay extra large eggs daily. why wouldn't you eat them?