The "Ask Anything" to Nicalandia Thread

[MysteryChicken]

@nicalandia
What do you think is going on genetically with the color of my White Ayam Ketawa?

Noticed that most of the darker red Breast feathers have this, blue/silver lining under the red, & has white under the blue/silver lining.
Apologies if the pictures aren't great.

 

[HawaiiHomestead]

If I breed a Black Copper Marans (bred for darkest egg color) to a Silver Double Laced Barnevelder, is there any chance of preserving the double lacing and darkening the egg color?

 

[NatJ]

If I breed a Black Copper Marans (bred for darkest egg color) to a Silver Double Laced Barnevelder, is there any chance of preserving the double lacing and darkening the egg color?

With several generations of work, yes.

In the first generation of crossed chicks, I think you should get somewhat darker egg color but probably won't have the double lacing. Whether you lose the silver will depend on the details of how you do the cross, and which ones you pick for further breeding. Daughters will be gold or silver according to what their father is. Sons will show silver but carry gold no matter which way you cross those two breeds.

 

[MildlyOffensiveChicken]

Can standard American breeds like Barred Rock and Rhode Island Red be selectively bred to allow them to actually fly? If so, how many generations do you think it would take.

 

[NatJ]

Can standard American breeds like Barred Rock and Rhode Island Red be selectively bred to allow them to actually fly? If so, how many generations do you think it would take.

It would depend a little on what you mean by "fly." No chicken is going to fly all day like a migrating duck, or glide in big circles for hours like a hawk. But flying as well as a quail or pheasant or wild turkey might be possible (maybe, maybe not) for some chickens.

For the breeds you named, and any other dual purpose breed, they will never be able to fly very well if you try to maintain the proper body shape for the breed. They are supposed to have heavy bodies (good for meat, but not for flying.)

You may be able to start with them and end up with birds that fly, after quite a few generations. I don't know how many, but probably quite a lot unless you cross in something else. But they will no longer have the right body shapes for those breeds.

If you want chickens that fly, I would suggest you look into small breeds and bantams. Some possibilities: Old English Game Bantams, Sebrights, Hamburgs, Leghorns, Sumatras, Phoenix, etc. You will want light body weight, large wing size, and long wing feathers. Then start with chicks, provide conditions that allow and encourage flying, and breed from the ones that do best.

 

[3KillerBs]

Can standard American breeds like Barred Rock and Rhode Island Red be selectively bred to allow them to actually fly? If so, how many generations do you think it would take.

Flight requires a light body.

My California White flies like a helicopter, but no one could ever accuse her of being dual-purpose.

 

[NanaK]

I have a small cream legbar that flies/glides pretty good for a chicken. She loves to climb up high and launch herself off and she lands similar to a helicopter. lol

 

[raingarden]

Can standard American breeds like Barred Rock and Rhode Island Red be selectively bred to allow them to actually fly? If so, how many generations do you think it would take.

It took a few hundred years of selective breeding to get them to where they can not fly

Something lean and lanky like a gamecock should most resemble what the original jungle fowl could do.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I have a small cream legbar that flies/glides pretty good for a chicken. She loves to climb up high and launch herself off and she lands similar to a helicopter. lol

My Heritage Plymouth Barred Rocks can fly up about 6ft to the highest roost.

 

[raingarden]

We throw grain on the roof and make them fly up if they want any. They scratch the matted leaves and stuff up there so debris doesn't accumulate.