Mixed breeds

[dunnmom]

So, the calculator isn't all that accurate? Well, that makes it more interesting. I had a SLW roo, but he tragically met his maker long before he was old enough to breed with my hens. I won't be doing any hatching until next year, at least. I have too much to learn about it first.

 

[englishcockers]

The calculator is pretty accutrate, but things like amount of red/gold "leakage" on BSLs vary too much to do justice. And there are things going on with buff that are complicated.

 

[englishcockers]

anything from a Barred rooster will be barred. Any female from a Silver Laced rooster will have silver ground color,males will look nearly silver, usually. (sort of yellowish, from gold based hens) of course from the BR hens the black w2ill mostly cover the ground color. From barred hens and Roosters of either of the other breeds you will get black sex links: Black hens, barred roosters, but buff orpington BSLs are, usually, more colorful than those made with RIR's Buff Roosters over silver laced hens gives you gold sexlinks: gold hens and nearly silver looking roosters. Bottom line: BR rooster would give you the least color variation. If all you want is variety, a cross bred rooster might be fun.

 

[malndobe]

So, the calculator isn't all that accurate? Well, that makes it more interesting. I had a SLW roo, but he tragically met his maker long before he was old enough to breed with my hens. I won't be doing any hatching until next year, at least. I have too much to learn about it first.

I think it's pretty accurate, but you have to put in the right genetics first, and that's the tricky part. Genetics are pretty basic, as in BB x BB will only produce BB, BB x Bb will produce BB and Bb, etc. But when it comes to chickens, you might have 10 birds that are all visually sliver laced, yet all have a different genetic code when looking at all the various codes the calculator uses. You can see this by picking one color/pattern, then playing around with the various alleles to see what does and doesn't impact the color/pattern. In some cases, just a few genes can override everything else. For example if you have a recessive white, it doesn't matter what the other genes are, the bird is white. It can carry any number of patterns and colors, it will still be white.

 

[Curnow]

So, the calculator isn't all that accurate? Well, that makes it more interesting. I had a SLW roo, but he tragically met his maker long before he was old enough to breed with my hens. I won't be doing any hatching until next year, at least. I have too much to learn about it first.

Sliver Spangled Spitzhauben rooster X Light Brahma hen

She is exactly what the calculator said as far as color and patterning.
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This is a young pullet that just started to lay. The comb is combination of parents is V & Pea. Lightly feathered legs from the Light Brahma. Blue legs and crest from the Spitzhauben.

 

[dunnmom]

Hmmm... I'm loving all of the input. My birds are hatchery birds. There's no telling about their exact genetics or possible mutations therein, so I used the basic calculator, which does not ask for any specifics. I assumed it would only tell me about the dominant coloration genes. For instance, some of my Buffs have pepper-like speckles on their tail feathers. 2 of my SLW's have primarily white breast feathers, and the black comes out as v or heart-shaped markings right there instead of a uniform lacing. I would consider a X bred roo if he comes from a good egg laying momma chicken.

 

[Curnow]

Hmmm... I'm loving all of the input. My birds are hatchery birds. There's no telling about their exact genetics or possible mutations therein, so I used the basic calculator, which does not ask for any specifics. I assumed it would only tell me about the dominant coloration genes. For instance, some of my Buffs have pepper-like speckles on their tail feathers. 2 of my SLW's have primarily white breast feathers, and the black comes out as v or heart-shaped markings right there instead of a uniform lacing. I would consider a X bred roo if he comes from a good egg laying momma chicken.

Mine are hatchery stock too, or breeds I purchased at auction. I don't care that my Spitzhauben rooster has black roots in his crest..LOL

He is a beauty, just not "standard of perfection". I'm not into that. I get eggs for me and family, sell enough to break even on feed, and most of all I enjoy my pet chickens! I love my mutts, non SOP, and hatchery birds just the same!

 

[dunnmom]

Yeah, I'm chomping at the bit to try X breeding. I'm having to practice a lot of restraint so I don't get ahead of myself. My hubs is forbidding any breeding for now, so that helps. Lol! We got our chickens for egg purposes and as practice, because we have this mutual fantasy of homesteading in the future with our 4 kids. I know it takes guts and self motivation that I'm not 100% positive we have yet. We'll see what happens when it comes time to cull and/or process (omg!). City-folk problems...

 

[lbenedict15]

The farm I hang around has a bunch of beautiful crosses. I currently have two boys, one just started being interested in the ladies, and the other is still super shy. I am hoping to try a few crosses this spring. The black minorca may not be around, raising him for a friend, but as long as the brown leghorn survives, I am hoping to cover a buff orpington, Easter egger and red sex links, just to see what I can get!

 

[Curnow]

Yeah, I'm chomping at the bit to try X breeding. I'm having to practice a lot of restraint so I don't get ahead of myself. My hubs is forbidding any breeding for now, so that helps. Lol! We got our chickens for egg purposes and as practice, because we have this mutual fantasy of homesteading in the future with our 4 kids. I know it takes guts and self motivation that I'm not 100% positive we have yet. We'll see what happens when it comes time to cull and/or process (omg!). City-folk problems...

We can't manage to kill animals we raised. We have a butcher come out that does our calves. We purchase hogs on the hoof and the butcher comes out the day after we get them. When we raise chickens for meat they go to an Amish butcher. We're not City folk....LOL.

The funniest thing about it is my husband and I both hunt (for meat only NOT for sport) and have no problem what so ever processing what we kill. We just get too soft when it comes to livestock we raised.

Pretty sure I wouldn't make a good homesteader!! I applaud those that can handle it!