Mixed genetics and their (dis)advantages

[Luka Dorkić]

Welcome to this thread! I created it for the sole purpose of interesting genetic experiments.For some reason i like crossbreeding and i would like to test out different breeds. So i will start off this topic with an interesting question:

If you breed a Marans, a chicken which due to the smaller pores in eggs have lesser chance to pick up samonella and stay fresher longer with a Minorca which lays eggs like crazy taking into account the rooster is a Minorca and the hen is Marans, will the offspring be a "Marnorca" wich lays eggs like crazy whilst having a lesser chance of eggs contracting samonella and stay fresher for longer?

Let's see your answers

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Is there research to prove that the pores in a Marans egg are indeed smaller?
I raise Penedesencas, a breed with extremely dark egg pigment.
They lay extra large eggs like crazy and I crossed one with a white Minorca. The pullet offspring laid enormous eggs but sadly I sold her.
I also crossed a Penedesenca rooster out of an extremely dark egg with a Welsummer hen that laid very dark eggs and the results were very disappointing. The offspring's eggs weren't dark at all. Apparently the genes contributing to the dark egg cancelled each other out.
To me, that is the disadvantage of crosses. Aside from possibly more vigorous birds, one waters down or loses completely the incredible characteristics for which the breeds were originally bred over decades and likely lost for good in that line.

 

[Luka Dorkić]

Is there research to prove that the pores in a Marans egg are indeed smaller?
I raise Penedesencas, a breed with extremely dark egg pigment.
They lay extra large eggs like crazy and I crossed one with a white Minorca. The pullet offspring laid enormous eggs but sadly I sold her.
I also crossed a Penedesenca rooster out of an extremely dark egg with a Welsummer hen that laid very dark eggs and the results were very disappointing. The offspring's eggs weren't dark at all. Apparently the genes contributing to the dark egg cancelled each other out.
To me, that is the disadvantage of crosses. Aside from possibly more vigorous birds, one waters down or loses completely the incredible characteristics for which the breeds were originally bred over decades and likely lost for good in that line.

Oh yes, it was proven that they have smaller pores.My friend which is an expert in polutry says so.And i bet every wiki page you search will confirm that amazing characteristic.You also mentioned that you got dissapointed when the eggs weren't dark enough.What is the reason behind that? Do dark eggs have some better characteristics than light ones?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Well, people like dark eggs for the aesthetics. People raise Marans, Penedesencas, Welsummers and some lines of Barnevelders just for the egg color.
Eggs from Penedesencas in Catalonian markets in the early 1900s sold for significantly more money than regular eggs.
I still haven't seen research on pore size varying from breed to breed. They're all still chickens. Dark eggs sometimes lose weight slightly slower than light/white eggs. However I attribute that to the added pigment.
As dark as my eggs are, they still lose about 0.65% weight during incubation which tells me the porosity of the eggs are the same.
Regardless, if moisture can escape the egg, I imagine that salmonella or any other bacteria could still enter the egg if the cuticle is removed.

 

[Luka Dorkić]

Well, people like dark eggs for the aesthetics. People raise Marans, Penedesencas, Welsummers and some lines of Barnevelders just for the egg color.
Eggs from Penedesencas in Catalonian markets in the early 1900s sold for significantly more money than regular eggs.
I still haven't seen research on pore size varying from breed to breed. They're all still chickens. Dark eggs sometimes lose weight slightly slower than light/white eggs. However I attribute that to the added pigment.
As dark as my eggs are, they still lose about 0.65% weight during incubation which tells me the porosity of the eggs are the same.
Regardless, if moisture can escape the egg, I imagine that salmonella or any other bacteria could still enter the egg if the cuticle is removed.

Alright, thanks for the interesting facts and experiences.About that moisture thing,it's true what you said.The pores don't completely stop the bacteria from entering but the chance of picking it up is greatly reduced.But still, having those eggs fresher for a long time is a big advantage for people who like to eat eggs but not that often,like me for example.And by the way, do you know for how long can fertile eggs be stored untill they lose their fertility?

 

[LilJoe]

I have a question:

If you cross a brahma with a crested cream legbar will you get light green eggs?

 

[LilJoe]

Alright, thanks for the interesting facts and experiences.About that moisture thing,it's true what you said.The pores don't completely stop the bacteria from entering but the chance of picking it up is greatly reduced.But still, having those eggs fresher for a long time is a big advantage for people who like to eat eggs but not that often,like me for example.And by the way, do you know for how long can fertile eggs be stored untill they lose their fertility?

They get less and less 'fertile' everyday. Ive read that you can keep them for up to 10 days for best results

 

[chickengr]

Alright, thanks for the interesting facts and experiences.About that moisture thing,it's true what you said.The pores don't completely stop the bacteria from entering but the chance of picking it up is greatly reduced.But still, having those eggs fresher for a long time is a big advantage for people who like to eat eggs but not that often,like me for example.And by the way, do you know for how long can fertile eggs be stored untill they lose their fertility?

my avatar chick hatched from a 19 days old egg.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Exactly, our last batch of hatchlings came from eggs stored from 0 to 21 days. Kept them in order to see out of curiosity how reduced the oldest hatching rate was. No difference what so ever. Eggs stored that long I keep in an auto turner and coolest room of house.

 

[LilJoe]

I have a question:

If you cross a brahma with a crested cream legbar will you get light green eggs?