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Five generations using only hatchery birds ? I would think it would be tough to get enough size and width, at least with hatchery Brahmas.

I have a real problem with some of these "breeders" trying to market these hideously vulture hocked cochin crosses as European style Brahmas, and people buy it, thinking they are the best thing since sliced bread.
 
brahmas are a very troubled breed. pretty much any asiatic, or english strain is i guess. i know i have a ton of work to do on my australorps. i guess too, the number of generations would depend partially on the ratio of birds from each generation. i might do it wrong, but first i look at overall shape; then i work with width, and and finally color.

this method does seem to work well for me, but im still fairly new and have much to learn. ill put it down, you tell me how you would change it:

first generation from hatchery, select no more than 2 roosters and 2 hens from 50 hatchery birds. breed 2 months worth of chicks (approx 20 from each pair) switch hens between roosters and breed 2 more months. then sell the lower quality pair. use the best pair as extra mates as needed during molts, or periods of low egg production.

second generation: cull any comb defects, eye defects, leg defects and overall type defects @ 1 month and @3 months - culling at least 1/2 of the chickens each time. so you start with approx. 75 live birds, cull 30-35 the first time around, then 15 or so the next time around. you should still have about 15-20 surviving chickens @ breeding age. cull down to your best 4 hens and 2 roosters.

third generation: follow above instructions, but i only breed for one month; since egg production is doubled.

usually by the 4th generation i have pretty good type, but with any show bird its always a work in progress.

the main problem i have seen - some of the slow growers turn out to be beautiful chickens. but they also usually seem to lay later too.
 
Loveourbirds, would like your opinion on my plans. Now mind you I'm starting out with a choc split (which is a cockerel) and the 4choc AM's so my stock is limited. These are 2nd generation. They were a split cock over chocolate hens.
Plans are pick the best choc or split cock and put it over my pure black AM hens to help continue with type and lessen the chances for single combs and clean face chicks. My intentions are to do this for 4-5 generations each time keeping the best cock and then try to keep some pullets and the best cock from that batch. Sound like a decent start? Any suggestions, ideas?
 
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I'm down to 13 of the 24 EE/oe eggers. Had 9 in the little Brinsea. At 4 now and they went into lockdown tonight. The temp stays rock solid and humidity stays pretty solid too. I don't get why it's killing them. Down to 9 in the homemade cooler bator from 15, but that's actually amazing since they've had temp fluctuations down to 90 and up past 110. Thought they'd all be goners but those few are hanging in there. They go into lockdown Wednesday. *fingers crossed* I'll be happy to see just one fluffy little butt come out of this!
 
ShayBaby said:
I'm down to 13 of the 24 EE/oe eggers. Had 9 in the little Brinsea. At 4 now and they went into lockdown tonight. The temp stays rock solid and humidity stays pretty solid too. I don't get why it's killing them. Down to 9 in the homemade cooler bator from 15, but that's actually amazing since they've had temp fluctuations down to 90 and up past 110. Thought they'd all be goners but those few are hanging in there. They go into lockdown Wednesday. *fingers crossed* I'll be happy to see just one fluffy little butt come out of this!
Click to expand...
. Crossing everything you get some to hatch! What brinsea do you have? I usually have really good hatches from mine. My LG's are a little touchier but their biggest help was the fans I installed in them. Are you sure your thermometer and hygrometer are accurate? Humidity too high or too low? I've been running dry incubators till they go to hatch or they all seem to drown here lately. What do you run your humidity at? The brinsea is holding temps good then you know it's not the temps killing them as long as it shows an accurate temp. Do you hand turn? Do you wash your hands every time before you handle the eggs? I'm pulling straws here but want to help.
 
Thanks Mandy. :) It's the little Mini Eco. Readings should be about accurate as I have two each of thermometer and hygrometers packed in there. My last batch with the seramas, I ran humidity around 45 and 70 at lockdown. None hatched, figured they drowned, so this time I'm trying to run dry. Aimed for 30, but the humidity in the house won't let it go any lower than 40 no matter how much rice I throw in lol. Aimed for 50 for lockdown this time, but looks like its hanging around 60. I do have to hand turn and try to wash hands every time, though no doubt I've forgotten once or twice in dozens of turnings. Guess that could do it. I did eggtopsies tonight on a few of them. Two were fairly well-developed. One of them probably quit within the last day or so, poor thing.
Warning: Dead embryo pics:

Poor little tweet all ready to hatch:
400


I dubbed this one "Little Derpy":
400
 
Hey everybody? I have some boring questions to ask. How long will our swap last Saturday? I am bringing my little girls and I have to plan for feeding them (I am pretty sure Stevens21 isn't feeding us) :) is everyone packing coolers? Or would you like to do a potluck? Or will it be so short as to not require lunch?
 
Anyone near this zip code happen to be coming the swap 44671 please let me know
I found a super deal on some Silkies but I could never get my DH to go that way or that far =(
 

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