It does make sense. Thanks..this is really exactly the type of info I was hoping to find. Any suggestions on good articles, books or websites on chicken genetics that the average joe could understand?
This subject has sparked my interest not only in crossbreeds, but also in the area of pure breeding for desirable qualities (i.e. how people decide which are good breeding stock for SQ as opposed to PQ). Not that I intend to show birds or breed necessarily, I'd just like to have a basic understanding of the subject.
It is also helping me to decide which roo's to keep and which hens to keep with them. At some point in the future, I will need to think about new layers, and crosses are not a problem for me. I do know I'd need to introduce new 'blood' at some point to avoid excessive in breeding (another subj. i'm not very knowledgable in). I'd love to keep birds out of my own stock, rather than continuing to purchase chicks. I also hope to let my cochins do the hatching and raising.
So far, I am keeping the RIR and Leghorn, because they are quite possibly THE best laying breeds, even if not the nicest roo's. I'm guessing that if I cross either of them with a more docile breed..say, Cochin, Brahma, or Orp- I may get a good layer with a nice temperament.
Again, if anyone can point me to books, or websites or such that a newbie can understand- it would be much appreciated.
then it hit me!!!
