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Seeking opinions on hatching crosses (RIR and BO)

Discussion in 'Incubating & Hatching Eggs' started by chickenannie, Mar 27, 2008.

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  1. Mar 27, 2008 #1
    chickenannie

    chickenannie Songster

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    I like having purebreds, but since I haven't kept my RIRs and my BOs separate and I have one roo of each, I'm sure a few of the eggs I may be crosses. I'm not a breeder, obviously, but I'd like to hatch more chickens for egg-laying and to add to the flock, and I'm wondering if there are reasons NOT to hatch eggs that may be crosses. Or reasons TOO have crosses.

    One roo is purebred RIR, but the hens are actually half RIR and half (i think) Plymouth Rock. The other roo is pure BO as are those hens.

    Opinions?
     
  2. Mar 27, 2008 #2
    Katy

    Katy Flock Mistress

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    There's nothing wrong with "mutt" chickens. From that mix of breeds you should get some very good layers. I like my purebreds, but I also like my mutts!! [​IMG]
     
  3. Mar 27, 2008 #3
    chickenannie

    chickenannie Songster

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    Do mutts end up looking peculiar?
     
  4. Mar 27, 2008 #4
    speckledhen

    speckledhen Intentional Solitude Premium Member 11 Years

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    Well, I know one reason to cross a RIR roo over a Buff Orp hen--my Meg! She is more Buff Orp than RIR in every way, except her color, but she came from exhibition size breeder birds, not hatchery stock. My DH and I love her!
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  5. Mar 27, 2008 #5
    Katy

    Katy Flock Mistress

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    Most of the time they're very pretty.
     
  6. Mar 27, 2008 #6
    chickenannie

    chickenannie Songster

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    Meg is beautiful! Kind of like a fluffy RIR.

    Uh-oh Katy, you said "most of the time"...
     
  7. Mar 27, 2008 #7
    Tuffoldhen

    Tuffoldhen Flock Mistress

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    I have a Buff/RIR hen that is my best layer!!...Buff Orp Roo over a RIR hen...she is small for some reason but lays me an egg dutifully everyday...
     
  8. Mar 27, 2008 #8
    Katy

    Katy Flock Mistress

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    Quote:I just said most of the time because I'm sure there's been an odd mix out there at some point in time that wouldn't win any beauty contests!! ALL the mutts I've seen have been nice looking chickens!! [​IMG]
     
  9. Mar 27, 2008 #9
    chickenannie

    chickenannie Songster

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    Thanks for the clarification. The farm where I work has crosses of Sebastopol geese with Toulouse Geese from last summer's hatching, and they look OK, except they have just a few string sebastopol feathers sticking out kind of funny. they look more like toulouse.
     
  10. Mar 27, 2008 #10
    mamaboyd

    mamaboyd Songster

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    Meg is beautiful!! My hens are the same color, I don't know what they are mixed with as they are a hatchery special breed. If I crossed my hens with a barred rock rooster, would they pretty much stay the same color??

    This is one of my hens I want to cross with a barred rock.
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2008
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