Making Lemonade [Selective Culling Project - very long term]

[MysteryChicken]

I think people aren't getting notifications because this has become inactive and fallen off the radar, so to speak. I've not been culling, or hatching, there hasn't been anything to report.

I'm going to have to bring in new genetics this year if the laying doesn't increase so i can hatch.

What breeds do you have in mind?

 

[3KillerBs]

I think people aren't getting notifications because this has become inactive and fallen off the radar, so to speak. I've not been culling, or hatching, there hasn't been anything to report.

I'm going to have to bring in new genetics this year if the laying doesn't increase so i can hatch.

If you do that I suggest ordering from Ideal in Texas for heat-tolerance. Privett in New Mexico would have the same automatic selection going on for their breeding flock too, but I've never ordered from them and have been happy with my birds from Ideal.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Here's some updated pictures of Big Fatty, & her brother. Her brother is no longer rusty red.

She's still 3 months in this picture, but hasn't changed much since.

Her brother is a beast. 4 months this month.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Got any sources in mind if you do?

Not yet - I just got home a little while back, starting to think about what to bring in, genetics wise, so I can then figure out where to order from. @MysteryChicken I see you asked the same question.

and @NatJ , the pasture looks like a bunch of poultry exploded, there are feathers everywhere. I've been raking them up and giving them in piles to the rabbits to use in their warrens. So that's part of it, but I also have Comets that are 2 1/2 years old, Rainbows the same age, about a half dozen SLW and Brahma (neither prolific layers) plus roughly two dozen mixed offspring. But it looks like molt is ending or over and the laying hasn't picked up - this could be winter rest plus the dreaded production red production fall off...

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Here's some updated pictures of Big Fatty, & her brother. Her brother is no longer rusty red.

She's still 3 months in this picture, but hasn't changed much since.View attachment 3301882Her brother is a beast. 4 months this month.View attachment 3301883View attachment 3301885

Really expected more weight from that bird. 4#?

 

[MysteryChicken]

Really expected more weight from that bird. 4#?

I haven't weighed him yet. He's hefty though.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I haven't weighed him yet. He's hefty though.

Looks can be decieving - is why I weigh mine, I'm a terrible guesser, even with the bird in hand

 

[MysteryChicken]

Looks can be decieving - is why I weigh mine, I'm a terrible guesser, even with the bird in hand

His breast condition is midway between 2-3, he's filling out nicely. He's muscular like the rest of my Malays.

I can get his weight tomorrow if you'd like.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I honestly don't know how the genetics work (dang things muddle my brain more than I'd like)

But if you're wanting to add weight and keep decent laying, I highly recommend Asian Blacks from Hoovers. I know what people say about the hatchery, but I really haven't had bad experiences birdwise. Servicewise, yeah, but birdwise, no.

The only downside is that they're mostly black. My boy has red patches on his wings and his son does too, but mama and daughters are mostly black. But I also don't really have red birds to breed to them either, so I have no clue how easy it would be to breed out.

And the extra toes. No clue how you feel about those

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I'm still culling out blacks - or would be, if I could afford to reduce flock size further right now, not eager to add more. Will take a few more males out of the picture at least, just a matter of having the time to do so.

I've looked at Redcaps, but that would be a few steps backwards, genetically - people have been improving on redcaps for what, two centuries now?

If I was ordering McMurray I'd probably get a split of Ginger Broilers and Partridge Rocks. Hope for at least one good male Ginger, and two good Patridge hens. I'll look at Ideal tommorow, see what they might have of interest.