Question for you pure-bred breeders.

[yotetrapper]

I have a question. I always have a mixed flock, and I want a mixed flock. So here's my question. If I want to raise pure bred chicks, can I just cage off a roo and a couple hens of the same breed? If I can, how long would they need to be penned seperately before I could guarantee that the eggs would be purebred.... in other words if the hen had mated with a different breed roo before I penned her, how long would I have to wait before those mixed breed eggs would be out of her system? Thanks

Ang

 

[arlee453]

I'd keep the hen penned with the selected roo for at least 3 weeks before incubating the eggs. 4 weeks to be on the safe side.

The hen can store the sperm from a previous mating for around 3 weeks.

 

[KingsCalls]

arlee..........is right to be on the safe side I'd pen the hens up 3 to 4 weeks before putting the roo with them.

 

[BantyChickMom]

I second......er, third that 3 to 4 week time period.

 

[silkiechicken]

I third that!

 

[yotetrapper]

Thanks guys! Whats the minimum size enclosure you all would reccommend for a breeding pen?

 

[kstaven]

Depends on the breed and whether LF or Bantam.

 

[yotetrapper]

The ones im wanting to breed are both banties, white frizzles and black silkies

 

[kstaven]

10 sq ft for a trio of bantams should give them enough space to breed and not stress.

 

[ginasmarans]

Also,if you are going to wait 30 days before adding the roo, you'll want to give him several days to get things started. You may want to add him around week 3, just to give him a week's head start.