Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

[No Coop No Problem]

I was about to put in an order with Sandhillpreservation, but I'm having second thoughts.

Mixed game
Range Sussex
Iowa Blue
Icelandic

I bought 5 Speckled Sussex last spring, and none of them survived. They were constantly sick, didn't thrive at all. They were also very small. This is a population of mixed Dorking and Sussex, so maybe. We'll see. The description says he wasn't happy with how sick his Speckled Sussex were and crossed them with Dorkings to help with that. They also go broody.

I'm not happy with how small the Icelandics and Game are. For the most part the hawks fly over, look at my big birds, and fly away. The only time they hang around is if they think they have a chance at getting a chick. The chicks at 7 weeks are just about the size of the full grown Games and Icelandics. But both are excellent foragers and they go broody reliably, which is something I'm missing in my current population.

My concern there is that the hawks will see birds the right size for lunch, and hang around more, giving them more of a shot at the chicks. Even if they can't get the Icelandics and Games, it increases the risk for the other birds.

I've been wanting to add in Iowa Blue for a while, but couldn't find a breeder. Again, broody. And all of these are supposed to be excellent foragers.

I have to get 25 chicks for an order, and 25 Iowa Blues seemed a little excessive even if the limit wasn't ten...

As I said, second thoughts. And 3rd thoughts.

Sandhill mixed games are interesting. They also have full sized Cubalaya, which are very rare and unique game birds suited for free-ranging. They're the only roosters I've seen sitting on eggs

Can't go wrong adding some game blood

 

[LaurenRitz]

Sandhill mixed games are interesting. They also have full sized Cubalaya, which are very rare and unique game birds suited for free-ranging. They're the only roosters I've seen sitting on eggs

Can't go wrong adding some game blood

Interesting in what way?

 

[No Coop No Problem]

Interesting in what way?

They're feral and have existed completely free-range for many generations on the farm. That's not something offered at any other hatchery I'm aware of. It's usually not found locally anywhere either

 

[LaurenRitz]

At what age could games fly 12-15 feet vertically? Six weeks? Eight weeks? I know where I would want them to roost (outside but protected) but I usually let chicks out to free range between two and four weeks.

 

[Lukers]

At what age could games fly 12-15 feet vertically? Six weeks? Eight weeks? I know where I would want them to roost (outside but protected) but I usually let chicks out to free range between two and four weeks.

I've yet to have game chickens to know for sure but based on what I've seen from others' flocks is that its around 8 weeks. Of course someone with more knowledge than me should say for sure.

 

[Az OEGB]

I've yet to have game chickens to know for sure but based on what I've seen from others' flocks is that its around 8 weeks. Of course someone with more knowledge than me should say for sure.

I would say your right maybe even a little sooner.

 

[Wild Iris]

As a beginning for a landrace-type flock, I have 7 girls including OEGB, American Game, barred rock mixes, RIR mix, & easter-egger mix. Any insight on using a Dominique rooster for the flock? They are in a movable coop/run now, but my goal is for them to spend a considerable time free-ranging in our woods. Primarily for eggs, but possibly some meat. I'd thought I wanted a game rooster, but I don't know much and this dominique cockerel is available. Thoughts?

 

[LaurenRitz]

When do you plan to start breeding or collecting eggs? I would say that a rooster definitely helps in other ways. You could get him, and plan to raise your landrace roo from the game hen crosses.

Alternatively, you could keep the Dominique and start training them to free range, incorporating the game in later generations. I see lots of possibilities here, but it all depends on your goals.

If your primary goal is egglaying, you want them to return to the coop to lay, which a heavily game population may not do.

What is your predator load?

 

[Backroadlogic]

interesting thread. My flock has gone 4 years without adding any new blood now. A mix of saipan, American game, Dominique, leghorn, road island read, houdan, coaching, brahma, and Ayam. They hatch 20-30 chick's a year and give me a mixture of big and medium sized eggs with minimal losses.

 

[Backroadlogic]

You can see my big rooster, he's half American game and half Dominique. The smaller stripped hens are as mixed as they get. They are excellent mothers and go broody a couple times a year