mutt chickens?

[norahsmommy]

I plan on raising black australorps, buff orpingtons, barred rocks, and partridge rocks. We are ordering straight runs and will be using the roos for meat. I wanted to keep 1 or 2 roos for mating purposes so we don't have to buy chicks in the future we can just raise our own. So when the males mature do you just let them hang out with the girls all the time or do you separate the males and only have them with the girls when you want fertile eggs? do you keep the specific breeds together so that the chicks are true breeds? Or do you let them mate willy nilly and have mutt chickens? I really would like to know what you all do.

 

[tackyrama]

I leave them all together for now but this spring I will put them into pens for specific breeds or characteristics. I figure I will be getting 40 to 50 eggs a week plus the two I will be breeding at any given time. Mutt eggs are delicious and not hard to give away or sell.

 

[moduckman]

Through the winter mine run together, but I do not hatch those eggs. In the late winter I will pair and trio them up so that I can maintain the breeds. If I happen to get a cross bird hatched, I will usually give it away. Since we show birds, it is important for us to keep pure breeds.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Mixed-breed chickens are as good in every way as pure-breds except you can't show them or sell their eggs for hatching to others that want only pure-breds. Otherwise they are attractive & healthy, good for meat and eggs to eat. And to hatch for more mixed-breed chicks. With the breeds you're getting they should make nice mixes of good-looking dual-purpose chickens.

If you're really determined to hatch out pure-breds, keep the roo from the breed you want to continue with the most. Then separate the hens of that breed when you're ready to incubate, so you know you're getting only their eggs.

I'd just keep the most mannerly roo, whatever his breed, and keep him in with the hens to alert & protect them.

 

[flyingmonkeypoop]

There are a few different ways to do it. Some people who want pure breeds will let the hens run together and have the roos locked up and just turn out one roo at a time with certain hens so they know what to expect and still get purebreeds. Other people have pens set up for breeds and all that. Then there is the backyard keeper thats in it for fun who keeps all their birds together and hatches out the eggs and enjoys the crosses. Purebreeds are nice and all but the mixes are always interesting and since they have 'hybrid vigor' they tend to do better overall.
Its all up to you. Do you like the pure breeds that you are ordering or would you like some extra variety in the form of mixes?

 

[norahsmommy]

It would be nice if all the chickens were pretty, and I am sure they will all have their good points and be fun to watch no matter what. I was mainly worried that the crosses might be unhealthy, but if that isn't an issue than I guess there is no problem cross breeding. The only other thing I am wondering is if any of you find it creepy to eat the fertilized eggs? I am a little put off by the idea. I was thinking I would just keep the 1 or 2 roos seperate from the girls and in their own run area. Is that mean to the roo to keep him away from the girls. Ok, I know I sound like a big softy here, and I am. I just want what is best for the birds so they are all happy and healthy. I like to iron out as many kinks as possible before I do something.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Fertilized eggs look & taste like unfertilized eggs, you'd have to look very close to try and detect any difference. And if you're collecting the eggs regularly you don't have to worry about finding baby chicks in your omelettes.

If you're going to keep some roos around, make them earn their keep by watching over the hens. I don't think it's being "mean" to them to pen them separately, but it'll make extra work for you for animals not doing all the work they should be doing in return.