Need to breed with only 3 rare chicks

[lyndon]

I've got a roo and 2 pullets, a Bielefelder trio. The breed is rare in the US. These 3 are brothers and sisters. Is there any way to begin breeding with these without acquiring additional Bielefelder chicks or mixing with another breed?

 

[3riverschick]

I've got a roo and 2 pullets, a Bielefelder trio. The breed is rare in the US. These 3 are brothers and sisters. Is there any way to begin breeding with these without acquiring additional Bielefelder chicks or mixing with another breed?

Welcome to the Club. I started with a trio. All 1/2 siblings. Light Sussex. You are going to need a 4th bird. Best unrelated to the other 3. Do not go out to another breed. If you can get an unrslated hen, that would be great! Yu can set up 2 bloodlines and use the Felch linebreeding chart. Or something like Wid Card's book on Breeding Laws.. If you can bring the blood in on the female side. If you can find a bird 25% related to your, that would be good! Maybe someone has a breeder hen they are thru using and has a season or two left in her?
Best,
Karen

 

[lyndon]

Thanks, Karen.

 

[donrae]

They are rare, but not unheard of. Why not expand the pool and look for more breeding stock?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/727364/a-bielefelder-thread

 

[dheltzel]

I've got a roo and 2 pullets, a Bielefelder trio. The breed is rare in the US. These 3 are brothers and sisters. Is there any way to begin breeding with these without acquiring additional Bielefelder chicks or mixing with another breed?

Really, you are fine breeding siblings together. This will not cause problems unless there are bad traits that get accentuated. Go ahead and breed them and try to connect with others that have Bielefelders and trade some eggs or a rooster from time to time. Since these are auto-sexing, if you can find another breeder within driving distance, swap male chicks with them.

I have Rhodebars and this week I hatched 3, all males. Disappointing, and I would love to give 2 of them away to other local breeders.

 

[3riverschick]

Places who have your breed:
Union Hill Farm
http://www.unionhillranch.com/Bielefelder

Circle-S-Ranch &Poultry (Bielefelder Chicken)
20201 Lani lane N.ft Myers, Florida 33917

Local sale only, great price, Greenfire Stock,
someone local could buy for you and ship to you.
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/grd/4443967010.html

Elite Farms:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/792940/bielefelder-hatching-eggs-avaialble-now

Sunbird Farms
http://sunbirdfarms.com/tag/bielefelder-chickens-for-sale/ ( central Calif.)

Best,
Karen

 

[lyndon]

Thanks, Karen.

 

[RiddleMe]

If you look at this thread, starting on post 1807, BGMatt spells out how he would start breeding with a trio to get to a four clan rotational breeding system. It's not the only way to breed but it's a good method to consider.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/447684/farming-and-homesteading-heritage-poultry/1800

 

[lyndon]

Sounds like what I was looking for. Thanks!