I'm new to the art of breeding chickens but I'm starting to understand the techniques to breed for the traits I'm after. Can anyone provide input or point me to resources that would explain how to apply those principles to developing my own meatie? I'm not looking for something that would compete with the cornish cross - I just want some heritage type birds that grow a little faster and get a bit bigger for personal use. For example here's a specific question. I have brahmas for size and rocks for growth rate. Should I choose a brahma rooster to breed with rock hens or a rock roo with brahma hens? Or maybe I'm looking at this the wrong way and should choose a breed that will suit the purpose and start develop that... Thanks.
You have to know what your goals are. Are you looking for the best free range? The best economical bird per weight? How much do you want to spend in feed per month. How many birds a year do you need? Do you need broodys or are you going to order eggs or use a incubator? Choosing your type of breed can be better answered after you find your answers to those questions before you purchase a bunch pf birds and find out they are not working for what you are looking for. Many people buy a bunch of different birds and really don't have a plan. Make you plan first. Create a budget to fit into your plan. Do research on the different variety of birds and find the bird that fits into your plan. I always recommend Heritage birds.
I've done plenty of research on breeds and our brahmas were a great choice for us. We get 5 pounds on the table in 20 weeks and the hens are great. We're keeping the brahmas but I'm not sure if its worth crossing them for faster growth. I've seen folk discussing that type of thing on the forum but never hear about the results - maybe that speaks for itself. I'm still looking for answers to my original question... Quote:
Try'em both and let us know how they turned out. I've wanted to know how the CX X with FR would turn out and was frustrated with lack of documentation. I'll know in a couple of months.
Oh - you're going for a Cornish FRX. Sounds like a car model. Mine wiill be a Brahma Rock - Brahma x Columbian Rock.
I'm currently doing some experiments too. So far looks like the barred x Orph is growing faster for me. But I only have one roo in that mating so I have to wait til a few more hatch to find out. The Broiler Squared is a close second with a few more to count. The maransO are a distant third but in past taste tests marans were high so a little slower might be ok. Have some more meaties hatching now so I'll better be able to generalize growth for my crosses.
Im working on my own meat bird. Delaware roos over white rock hens my birds are 8 weeks old now by fall Im hoping to have some of their chicks with a dorking roo their offspring will be my permenet meat flock good meat flocks take some time and work, good luck!
