F1cross

[western edge]

I'v done this cross (Rhode Island Red Male over Dominique Female) a number of times and I never had that much Gold in a F1 cross.
What color was the Hens?

Chris

The hen were the black on white barring as most doms, maybe a little dark per standard.I had ordered dayold from a breeder several years back for a sexlink project, crossing them with heritage RIR males. Two years of breeding these produced the birds you see in the photos plus some were more bared with very little red in the hackel and the hen were all black with varing red in the hackel as they should be. they matured into beautiful hens with a very calm manor, however slow maturing,average layers are not what layer people want . could not find pictures of the dom hens and have since sold them.

 

[Chris09]

The hen were the black on white barring as most doms, maybe a little dark per standard.I had ordered dayold from a breeder several years back for a sexlink project, crossing them with heritage RIR males. Two years of breeding these produced the birds you see in the photos plus some were more bared with very little red in the hackel and the hen were all black with varing red in the hackel as they should be. they matured into beautiful hens with a very calm manor, however slow maturing,average layers are not what layer people want . could not find pictures of the dom hens and have since sold them.

Quote: If the birds are a second year breeding then they ain't F1's

F1 = First year cross Example - Rhode Island Red male over Dominique female

Chris

 

[western edge]

I'm not sure why you wanted to use the Dominique? Was it for the rose comb? You can find both rose combed and single combed RIR's. A rose combed RIR might be easier than the Dominique hen for the rose comb in in your project if the rose comb is your goal and if you can find a good one.
I realize it is also possible you have other reasons for wanting to use the Dominique. I'm just guessing the rose comb might be a reason.
Good luck!!!

Ridgerunner, I already had the doms for rosecomb sexlinks I was raising. Maybe not a good choice .To many pens, chickens and such to produce sexlinks so my efforts are now with the auto sexing breeds but stil focusing on a good layer. Also have greenfire farm rhodebar cockerels over four selected hatchery RIR hen and greenfire farm cream legbar cockerels over some hatchery brown leghorn hens.

 

[western edge]

I didnt make that to clear . What i did is breed the RIR cocks over the Dom hens for two years running to create the sexlinks each year.