Multiple breeds, multiple cocks: How do you prevent cross breeding?

[J. Ruth]

Hi. I am planning on getting a flock of chickens of multiple breeds. But, I don't really want them to cross breed and I was hoping to free range them. Is there any way to prevent it?

 

[Ridgerunner]

The only way to prevent cross breeding is to keep them physically separated. A rooster will breed any hen he can get to.

 

[DTchickens]

J. Ruth :

Hi. I am planning on getting a flock of chickens of multiple breeds. But, I don't really want them to cross breed and I was hoping to free range them. Is there any way to prevent it?

Separation is the only way; if they're allowed together they will eventually breed.​

 

[DTchickens]

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Beat me to it.

 

[J. Ruth]

What are the pros and cons of cross breeding?

 

[DTchickens]

J. Ruth :

What are the pros and cons of cross breeding?

Pros? They can make some rather interesting looking birds sometimes, they can produce some of the best egg layers, better immune systems at times, etc. (I.E. Hybrid Vigor)

Cons?
You wouldn't be able to sell them as pure breeds, or at least you shouldn't. You may or may not be able to sell them as easily as a pure bird, you won't be able to charge much for them, you won't be able to show them, etc. Basically for just a backyard flock with no tendency to sell/show, crosses aren't too bad.​

 

[Ridgerunner]

If you want to show them, obviously you cannot crossbreed them. Other than that, it just depends on your goals. If your goals are eggs, meat, pets, bug control, fertilizer, or some combination of these, I don't see any advantage at all one way or another. I can come up with breeds or crosses either one that can meet these goals. If you are going to sell chicks or hatching eggs, purebreds may be easier to sell. I think if you want to continue a breed, it really won't work unless you go into a breeding program and breed to the SOP. That is harder than you might think. I don't think you are keeping a breed unless you carefully select your breeders to the SOP.

 

[J. Ruth]

Okay. Thank you. That helps a lot.

I was thinking about keeping a combination of Sussex, Wyandottes, Orpingtons, and Wellsummers. They are purely for the reasons mentioned above and not at all for show or selling. Does anybody think that there would be any specific disadvantages of crossbreeding in this type of flock? Thank you very much.

 

[Oregon Blues]

During breeding season, I keep my different breeds separated and they take turns being turned loose in the large pen to grub around. Everybody gets their exercise and the breeds remain pure.

 

[cmom]

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I keep my separated too and rotate them out to free range.