Improving size in large Austrolorps!

[FRANCOIS]

So I went to my fist two poultry shows and boy was it a blast!I really enjoyed it,the thing is everybody said my Ausies had nice type but really lack in size!If any of you know how to improve on size please help me the breeding season is around the corner!

 

[call ducks]

Weigh your eggs!, breed larger birds to birds of good type (if you can get some large birds with good type to put on yours).

By weigh your eggs only hatch your biggest eggs. Smaller eggs produce smaller birds!

 

[FRANCOIS]

Will do that I didn't even know that eggs have anything to do with how large your chicks are going to be!I wil breed my biggest hens to my best rooster and hope for bigger chooks!

 

[lildinkem]

There are some breeders who have over size Australorps. Like Bruce Sherman. You may give him a shout and see IF he will have any extra stock available to help you out. I do not know Bruce personally. But, a good friend of mine does have a cock from his line. And says he is huge. That would be the best way to increase size without going outside the breed.
The other is a more shotgun effect of breeding a quality Black Orp to your line. But you will need to hatch out a bunch and be very selective in your culling for the Aussie traits. It would not take more then a generation or two to increase size and still keep the Aussie SOP traits.
Good luck

 

[FRANCOIS]

I'm happy to say my aussies size have improved a lot this year!

 

[cubakid]

For size it is best to use hens, in my opinion