Letting Lavender and Chocolate Orpington Free Range Together

[grandcamel]

I have some month old lavender orpingtons and month old chocolate orpingtons. I would like to keep them separate most of the time for purebred babies. If I do let them free range together a few hours each day, roosters and all, will I still most likely get mostly purebred chicks? I know they will breed what is around them but if they are mostly just with the same color will I have much of a variation? Also...any help on what would be the result of a lavender rooster with a chocolate hen? I know the chocolate rooster with lavender hen will result in chocolate males but black females.

 

[Gray Farms]

If they are together for any amount of time they will cross. If it were me I'd let the lavenders free range for while then shut them in and let the chocolates out.

 

[grandcamel]

I think that's going to be what I end up doing once they are matured. I was just curious if they would retain more sperm from the ones they were with the majority of the time or not.

 

[Gray Farms]

They can retain sperm from one mating for 30 days and sometimes slightly longer. I just noticed they are just a month old. You'll have no problem free ranging them together for a long time yet, the rest of the year anyhow. They likely won't start laying until next spring.

 

[RoosterML]

Not an expert by any means but I suspect that a Lav crossed with Choc will result in Black offspring.

 

[grandcamel]

Yes the lavender roo to chocolate hen will result in all black babies..and chocolate roo to lavender hen will result in chocolate females and black males. I finally sat down and did punnett squares for them...made it clear for me.

 

[aart]

I was just curious if they would retain more sperm from the ones they were with the majority of the time or not.

I certainty wouldn't count on it.
Just range the groups on alternate days.

 

[Gray Farms]

I certainty wouldn't count on it.
Just range the groups on alternate days.

Agreed. If you've got them set up to be pure, keep them that way.

 

[grandcamel]

Sounds like a plan.. now to keep myself occupied until they start laying. I'll settle with the chicks I am hatching from locally bought hatching eggs for now.