ISO Malines

[rdilbarova]

Just out of genuine curiosity, I googled these and they look just like Barred Rocks- why do you prefer these?

 

[Barnmaradotte]

Look's is about where the comparison ends. Yeah, they both lay eggs and the barred Rock is a better layer. In the dual purpose world most don't actually yield a good carcass. These are much larger and faster growing than a Barred Rock. Now, for me and my family living on a small farm, we need everything to serve a purpose to the max. Being it's a rare breed we can help it out while harvesting the roosters and hens that doesn't make the "cut". Having a small farm not only allows us the opportunity, we can also help heritage breed's for the long run. If we didn't, heritage breed's would be in bad shape. That's all.

 

[rdilbarova]

Interesting, I always wonder about this with rare breeds that look so similar to common ones!

 

[Barnmaradotte]

Interesting, I always wonder about this with rare breeds that look so similar to common ones!

Yeah. I know what you mean. I've wondered the same myself before. Now day's I ask why do people breed hybrids for superior egg laying? It's funny really. Just think of how many breed's lay 250+ egg's a year now. Or 300+. Like, how can they improve on that? Egg size? I think it's part of "chicken math". It never really makes perfect sense.

 

[Papmike]

Just out of genuine curiosity, I googled these and they look just like Barred Rocks- why do you prefer these?

They mature faster then BR so those not up to snuff can be harvested sooner vs taking 20-22 weeks and eating more feed. If I remember they are also crosses from several other breeds.

 

[Ali_Howard]

I’m following this. Looking for chicks in Canada. No hurry. We already have two hens - ended up with twice as many roosters, but these fellows are so calm and sweet.