mixed breeding

[heather15]

I admired some stunning five or six-month pullets over the weekend and was at a loss to guess as to breed. The owner told me they were the result of his first foray into cross-breeding and that the resulting birds came from a cross of game hens and an Australorp rooster. I was admiring the gorgeous greys, purples, russets and oranges, but he said his intent was to get the alertness and independence of the games, along with the tendency of broodiness and combine it with all the known assets of his favorite bird, the Australorp. Made sense to me, but I'd like to hear some pros and cons.

 

[MommaBugg]

I for one support mixed breeding. A lot of breeds these days are result of mixed and selective breeding.

I am close to starting my own breeding program. I am missing a few breeds I would like in the mix, but I love mixed breed chickens, you always get a suprise on the different combinations of colors and personalities(sorry my input was not more scientific, if thats what you were looking for

Also, would it be possible to get pics of the pullets? Did his attempts work?

 

[suki'smom]

I think mixed breeding is fun

My old flock consisted of 1 Sultan Rooster and Buff Orpington, Sex Link, Jersey Giant, Partridge Rock, Black Star and some mutt hens and my were the chicks cute! Its neat to mix breeds and see what you get.

 

[BrownSheep]

If I was to guess mix breeding is (as in most animals) a good thing. They resault in hardier animals. These animals are less prone to the flaws of the purebreeds.

 

[Arielle]

x2

I breed a lot of different animals. THe cross breds are hardier and I can get faster changes in the performance. THen use line breeding to fix the genes and culling to make subtle improvements. (I do appreciate the purebred lines too.)

 

[MommaBugg]

X3

While there is a lot to be said of the beauty of the pure breeds, mixed breeds can have its advantages of gathering good qualities from each breed that the other may lack..

Then again you may come out with a couple with nothing but bad traits of both breeds, which the culling process takes care of