INCUBATING w/FRIENDS! w/Sally Sunshine Shipped Eggs No problem!

[OneMountainAcres]

You know, I think at least once when I was posting over on the Cream Legbar thread, the BYC autocorrect changed "Rees" to "Reese", so maybe that's it. (It also changes Legbar to "leggier" unless you capitalize it.)

Or not...

I personally am not a fan of the Rees line. My three girls are hatchery from a pre-Rees group, and the rooster is from a breeder, also non-Rees. There are a number of folks who don't want Rees blood in their CLs. I think it's because in some cases auto sexing and egg color (key elements of the breed) has been sacrificed for extra light coloring in adults for showing. (But JMHO...)

- Ant Farm  

I have heard the same things also. That's why I'm raising them all out until laying age to make the final cut. First cut will be feather coloring, then crests, then egg color. IF I still have a lot left over them I'll start getting picky. I'll probably line breed for a while from there to get what I want.

 

[lindalouly]

Alrighty folks... I must leave you now. Need to check my eyelids for cracks...

Everyone have a wonderful night, and an even better tomorrow!!! 

GOOD NIGHT!!!   

Night urrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Quote:
This is SO good that you are doing this - so important to have folks who can do that hard work of taking the Rees line and improving it for the egg color and auto sexing traits (and in the process get more genetic diversity in the US). (Many would suggest not breeding from any chick that cannot be sexed at hatch, so depending on how many you hatch and how hard you cull, that could be a first cull.)

Mine are just for my backyard, and they are clearly a line that's susceptible to Marek's (though I'll be breeding for resistance), so I won't be doing large scale work on them myself, but I do want to retain those features I value (egg color and auto sexing), and body/coloring won't be ignored (though they may be lower on the list). I'm all about breeding for production, so I've got a different approach...

 

[kwhites634]

Alrighty folks... I must leave you now. Need to check my eyelids for cracks...

Everyone have a wonderful night, and an even better tomorrow!!!

GOOD NIGHT!!!

 

[OneMountainAcres]

This is SO good that you are doing this - so important to have folks who can do that hard work of taking the Rees line and improving it for the egg color and auto sexing traits (and in the process get more genetic diversity in the US). (Many would suggest not breeding from any chick that cannot be sexed at hatch, so depending on how many you hatch and how hard you cull, that could be a first cull.) 

Mine are just for my backyard, and they are clearly a line that's susceptible to Marek's (though I'll be breeding for resistance), so I won't be doing large scale work on them myself, but I do want to retain those features I value (egg color and auto sexing), and body/coloring won't be ignored (though they may be lower on the list). I'm all about breeding for production, so I've got a different approach... 

I'm going to try my best. I'm working on the same thing with black copper marans at the moment. I have 20 chicks growing out right now. I'm hoping to get some good results with them.

This is Luna. She's my best looking CCL pullet right now. I'm hoping to get more like her to use. I'm really anxious for her first egg. She's NOT Reese line. Also, my little roo Sunny. He doesn't really have a crest so he'll probably be replaced by a better example but for now, he's it lol.

 

[daxigait]

Some have Rees (the newest import), some don't, depends on when they started. It's "sexy" right now, but quite a few have been disappointed in having Rees chicks that they can't reliably sex, and greener eggs. Over on the CL thread, GaryDean has an excellent thorough description of the history of the lines that were imported. Greenfire is actually discontinuing their CLs, FWIW.

Nothing evil about the Rees line, but it needs more breeding work in the very things that most appeal to most folks about CLs (blue eggs, auto sexing, which were key goals of the guy who originally developed the breed). Probably too much (over)emphasis on adult feathering to win show ribbons. I was very happy that I could clearly tell the sex of every single chick as soon as it hatched (or even before, if I could see the head or eye). Useful info to have right away in an egg-laying breed. 

 - Ant Farm 

Which line is good with the auto sexing and blue eggs? Do you know where to find any?

 

[daxigait]

I want roos for making Sapphires with leghorns and EE with RIR so egg color is crucial.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Quote:

Quote: I don't have a great answer for you - unfortunately, the Rees line got so "trendy" that a lot of folks started having it for consumer demand, so to speak. It would be breeders who have been working with CLs here in the US for a while (since the Rees line is more recent). I'd ask over on the Cream Legbar thread... Sally has Cream Legbars - and has lots of experience with them (a lot more than me! I read a lot and just have opinions!!!

). Perhaps she can comment about her birds and CLs in general from her more experienced perspective. @Sally Sunshine

Please don't get me wrong - Rees birds are nice. I've just read too many posts by folks who got the Rees birds and then posted with disappointment about the auto sexing or, later, the egg color. It's just something that needs work to maintain. Same with Marans - known to lay deep brown eggs, but if the breeder does not select for that intentionally, you end up with Marans that lay much lighter eggs. (Just like any breed, really...)

Sorry everyone. I did NOT intend to highjack the thread with CL talk...

- Ant Farm

 

[BantyChooks]

I don't have a great answer for you - unfortunately, the Rees line got so "trendy" that a lot of folks started having it for consumer demand, so to speak. It would be breeders who have been working with CLs here in the US for a while (since the Rees line is more recent). I'd ask over on the Cream Legbar thread... Sally has Cream Legbars - and has lots of experience with them (a lot more than me! I read a lot and just have opinions!!! ). Perhaps she can comment about her birds and CLs in general from her more experienced perspective. @Sally Sunshine


Please don't get me wrong - Rees birds are nice. I've just read too may posts who got the Rees birds and then posted with disappointment about the auto sexing or, later, the egg color. It's just something that needs work to maintain. Same with Marans - known to lay deep brown eggs, but if the breeder does not select for that intentionally, you end up with Marans that lay much lighter eggs. (Just like any breed, really...) 

Sorry everyone. I did NOT intend to highjack the thread with CL talk...

- Ant Farm 

No need to be sorry- I never really got interested in genetics or SOP stuff, but lurking during these conversations has made me think maybe I should! I have been enjoying them!
-Banti

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

I want roos for making Sapphires with leghorns and EE with RIR so egg color is crucial.

While CLs are "typically" listed as blue egg layers, many of even the "bluest" ones folks have posted are greenish blue. In the UK, they can even lay more olive colored eggs (disallowed here in the US in the draft SOP). I'm wondering if Ameraucanas would be more blue-blue (but don't have any here at the moment to look at their eggs side by side to know - getting chicks in April). I'm sure someone else will pipe up who has more experience - I'm starting to think I shouldn't run my mouth any more on this.