New beginnings

[bantams galore]

Hi, I have been reading around on this site for a while now, and thought I would ask a few questions. I am new to breeding and hatching chickens for show. I have a few birds now, and I am planning to build a breeder type barn before fall. I see lots of great ideas on here about breeder pens and coops, however where I am at right now, is trying to decide if to single mate or group mate.

I want to want to single mate, but somehow I would rather have small flocks of a half dozen birds. To me it is lot less work and equipment, but what would I be losing out on?

Secondly, There are all kinds of breeding charts on the internet, is it as easy as picking the one that seems the most simple to me? Which chart do you use?


I don't really want more than about 20 birds or to hatch more than 40 a year. How do I decide what management plan to follow so that I will know what to build for a breeder barn?

I am working with dark brown bantam leghorns, if that matters.

Thanks

 

[theoldchick]

 

[2seth2]

It all depends what you are breeding. what are you going to raise?

 

[bantams galore]

well, I am raising dark brown leghorns, and don't really want to hatch out more than 40 a year.

 

[2seth2]

You can have qiute a few hens to one rooster with leghorns

 

[bantams galore]

Will a program like this work ? if I only bred down to the forth generation and then having a couple of matings like this, crossed the lines and start the chart again?

 

[bantams galore]

So does no one have an opinion on the chart or you just don't think it will work or what?

 

[keesmom]

I would suggest reading this thread

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/400344/heritage-large-fowl-thread/14390

It is a long thread but it contains a lot of useful information. Whether or not you can get away with hatching just 40 chicks per year will depend on your parent stock.

 

[bantams galore]

Any particular pages that are exceptional......or question related? ...... I have read the first dozen pages.................. saw a lot of nice pictures of different breeds/birds....................... Lots of "oh that looks great" but the post is 1400 pages..............................................

 

[keesmom]

Any particular pages that are exceptional......or question related? ...... I have read the first dozen pages.................. saw a lot of nice pictures of different breeds/birds....................... Lots of "oh that looks great" but the post is 1400 pages..............................................

I'd start with page 1441. You are mentioned there.

I do know other posts on breeding strategies have popped up in that thread but unfortunately I'm not sure what page. You could try an advanced search on breeding strategies/charts/plans in just Breeds & Genetics.