SOP Breeders: How many to hatch yearly and pen sizes?

[Chickenaddition]

@Sleepytime Thank you for all that you wrote. That does help explain things in great detail. I will be setting up a notebook for this to help keep information noted. I will be getting colored zip ties to help denote. Sharpie markers colored to match zip ties to keep track of eggs.

I am surprised but convinced on the addition of different genes. I was just worried about inbreeding. Again this is a new foray for me so I am not saying that I know anything. I am simply saying that was a worry of mine but I am convinced on all your experience. Thank you.

Yes long read, but well worth it and it will be printed out and saved for my breeding notebook.

@everyone on this thread. Thanks again to everyone's effort to explain things to a complete and utter novice. Also @Tbird84 thanks for starting this thread and letting me hijack it a bit.

 

[Sleepytime]

I felt the same as you about the inbreeding. However, after hearing that there were established, successful breeders out there that had never introduced another line, I was convinced. These breeders kept a related line to cross if vigor has been reduced. This restarted the line without having to introduce foreign blood and losing your progress. I was told that there's a difference between being a breeder and a propagater. I wanted to be a breeder, so took their advice.

 

[Cyprus]

was told that there's a difference between being a breeder and a propagater.

Good point

 

[Chickenaddition]

I want to be a breeder too. I am still debating hard on this between the three breeds. So hard on this and I am usually quick on making decisions. Grrrr.

 

[Cyprus]

I also want to be a breeder and have decided to focus exclusively on D'Uccles. Specifically on Mille Fleur.

 

[Sleepytime]

I want to be a breeder too. I am still debating hard on this between the three breeds. So hard on this and I am usually quick on making decisions. Grrrr.

Lol ! I know how you feel. There are so many breeds I liked. I bounced around for years, breeding this and that, until I finally settled on my moderns. I've added call ducks this year, so that will be a real challenge. Get one breed started good for awhile and then you can always add another. Just remember you'll need more pens.

 

[Sleepytime]

I also want to be a breeder and have decided to focus exclusively on D'Uccles. Specifically on Mille Fleur.

That's such a sweet, good natured breed. I had d'uccles when I first started showing. Hardly anyone around here shows them though, so I sold them all except one. That last one was a golden neck that I hatched. I gave her to a friend whose silkie had died. She went with a group of friends to the Ohio Nationals and entered her for the heck of it. She won Best Variety ! I wondered then, if I had made a mistake switching breeds, but by then had a bunch of Old English Game Bantams. One day, I may have to get some d'uccles again, just to have as pets. I really like them.

 

[Cyprus]

That's such a sweet, good natured breed. I had d'uccles when I first started showing. Hardly anyone around here shows them though, so I sold them all except one. That last one was a golden neck that I hatched. I gave her to a friend whose silkie had died. She went with a group of friends to the Ohio Nationals and entered her for the heck of it. She won Best Variety ! I wondered then, if I had made a mistake switching breeds, but by then had a bunch of Old English Game Bantams. One day, I may have to get some d'uccles again, just to have as pets. I really like them.

I have a pair I'm raising up right now. I've had 7 D'Uccles in total, but predators and disease were a steep learning curve.
I'm hoping to have chicks for sale by the end of Summer.
If I start hatching early enough, I'll have chicks to show in August and extra pullets and cockerels to sell later.

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

Planning on starting to breed RIR's this year. Had anyone else bred them?

(P.S. Love your signature @Chickenaddition )

 

[Chickenaddition]

Planning on starting to breed RIR's this year. Had anyone else bred them?

(P.S. Love your signature @Chickenaddition )

Love yours too.