freedom rangers

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

http://www.jmhatchery.com/free-range-broiler/colored-range-chicks/prod_5.html


Basically a mixed breed bird, bred for meat production, not eggs, that doesn't have as many health problems as Cornish x, and a slightly longer grow-out time.

 

[eKo_birdies]

so i really know nothing about genetics (in chickens).. is egg laying capability something that is acquired from the rooster or hen's side? or both?

i'm just wondering because being that the Redbros (the majority of what a freedom ranger is) are a Hubbard/ISA cross.. would they keep any of the productiveness? or not because the ISA is the hen in the cross and they would get the laying (non) productiveness from the Hubbard?

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Quote:
Well doo-doo. That was one of the ones I had found before. I did think it was odd that I couldn't find it on the web lately. Well, if you know of anyone else that might be helpful. We don't have any chickens yet. We are planning on getting some laying hens in the spring but I was leaving myself open to trying out a small batch of cornish x. I just know I won't be doing the processing! And neither will my husband.

If you have any Amish in your area you could check with them. We have a few in our area that does it.

 

[wvplucker]

Does anyone know if they will breed true? I know alot of hybrids will produce different percentages of the breeds used to make them, rather than FR's breeding true FR's. Is it even possible to keep them past 12 weeks, or will they just keep growing and develop the same health problems the CX's have?

 

[TimG]

Quote:
A cross, or a mating of hybrids, will produce different percentages of breed characteristics, not different percentages of a breed.

They will live well beyond 12 weeks; I did lose a few between 16 and 24 weeks, apparently to flip. The one cockerel and three pullets I have kept appear healthy (but so did the flip victims); they have not developed any leg or other size related problems.

To the previous question about egg laying traits being passed from the rooster or the hen: it is acquired from both sides. There is an old wives' tale that it is passed from the male side, but that isn't true. It is true that a single rooster with good egg laying genetics will improve a flock more quickly than a single hen with good egg laying genetics, simply because the rooster's genetics will end up in a higher percentage of the chicks. Good male stock is considered more valuable because one male takes care of many females while females produce only one offspring/litter/clutch/etc. at a time.

 

[wvplucker]

Quote:
A cross, or a mating of hybrids, will produce different percentages of breed characteristics, not different percentages of a breed.

They will live well beyond 12 weeks; I did lose a few between 16 and 24 weeks, apparently to flip. The one cockerel and three pullets I have kept appear healthy (but so did the flip victims); they have not developed any leg or other size related problems.

To the previous question about egg laying traits being passed from the rooster or the hen: it is acquired from both sides. There is an old wives' tale that it is passed from the male side, but that isn't true. It is true that a single rooster with good egg laying genetics will improve a flock more quickly than a single hen with good egg laying genetics, simply because the rooster's genetics will end up in a higher percentage of the chicks. Good male stock is considered more valuable because one male takes care of many females while females produce only one offspring/litter/clutch/etc. at a time.

Have you tried hatching any?

 

[Liamm_1]

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[WhiteMountainsRanch]

 

[wvplucker]

Quote:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/70052_combat_chicken.jpg

Wow he looks like a rebuttal to "Eat Mor Chikin". Has anyone tried breeding FR's to FR's? Is it doable? What were the results?

 

[TimG]

Quote:
As soon as they produce enough eggs to make an incubator run worthwhile. They stopped laying a couple weeks after isolation. I got one egg yesterday which I hope is a sign that the coop light is starting to do the trick.