English Ixworth rooster

[speedy2020]

I purchase 2 English Ixworth roosters today. The plan is cross breed them with my White American Bresse hen for table bird that less flighty, quieter, meatier, and cold hardy. Have anyone made this cross before? What is the outcome (larger bird, blue feet and pea comb)?

 

[Ruthster55]

Congrats on the Ixworth roosters!!

May they bring awesomeness to your American Bresse!!

 

[RinaRoo]

I'll be interested in seeing any following posts. I have 17 Bresse, and plan to keep a flock for future meat birds. I was thinking of crossing in the future with Araucana for their personality.

 

[speedy2020]

I'll be interested in seeing any following posts. I have 17 Bresse, and plan to keep a flock for future meat birds. I was thinking of crossing in the future with Araucana for their personality.

I am very exited to be able to get the Ixworth roosters. It is super rare and GFF no longer sell on their website. I do like the quietness of this breed. The roosters crowed once on the 1st day, but I haven't heard since. The thing that I don't like so far are a) They don't care/call the hen 2) They attack the hen when come to food. It is mine, mine, mine....
I expect the fertilize rate will be very low, but manual semen extract/fertilize may do the trick. I haven't done so, just looking through Youtube and seem easy enough. To ensure pure Bresse x Ixworth, I will have to wait until late July to early August.

 

[Chickenheadmate]

Are these fast maturing?

 

[speedy2020]

Are these fast maturing?

I am not sure because the project don't start 6-8 weeks from now to ensure no cross from previous rooster. I like Bresse taste, but don't like to noise from the rooster and hen make every day. As mention earlier, the Ixworth rooster is super quiet so far in the last 3 days.

 

[Chickenheadmate]

I like Bresse taste

Is it really gamey?

 

[speedy2020]

I collect enough egg and put into the incubator today. Those interested in this cross stay tune.

I finally moved my old coop and arrange just the way plan years old. You can find the coop layout sketch and template that allow to install 2x2, 2x4, 4x2, 4x4 roost. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/automatic-feeder-attached-to-the-coop.537861/

 

[Morrigan]

Good luck with your hatch!

 

[speedy2020]

There are 4 chicks hatched so far. One of chick hatched more than 24 hours so I have no choice, but remove from the incubator. I think the chick has pea comb. It is too hard to tell what color of the leg will be until next 1-2 weeks.