Experience with Pioneers?

[lazy gardener]

I bought Pioneers from MMc. They are just over 4 weeks old, eating FF, and growing like weeds. There are 9 survivors out of the original 10. A lot of roosters! Has any body held back any of these birds for layers or to produce a second generation? If so, how big do they get, and how are they as layers? I'm toying with holding back a pullet to put into my barnyard mix to increase the meatiness of the flock. Interestingly, my EE x RIR chicks are almost as big as the Pioneers!

 

[Bluegill]

MMc"s notes that they are also known in the industry as Rainbow's and Dixie Rainbow's. Searching through the forum it looks like people have had mixed results as meat birds and at least one has hatched a second generation.

They have been compared to Freedom Rangers, but are suppose to breed true.

I would be willing to try some!

 

[Bluegill]

Here is where I saw that:


https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/636488/dixie-rainbows-thread/50
posts 55 & 56

Many in this thread kept them for laying.