I really should take the time to catch the 3 or 4 pullets with red heads and verify that it's actually Arizona that's doing the laying. Because if it's one of the others, that would put point of lay at 18 weeks, and that would be *phenomenal* in SOP birds.
I'm really chewing on the whole breeding and genetics thing lately. Considering actually breeding quite a few of the bad-combed pullets in an effort to get much larger hatches and just seeing what I get. I do definitely want to single mate Arizona, and I also want to single mate the last two "Reese" hens I have just to verify I absolutely can't get any normal combs out of them. One of the two is the best one I had as far as type, so I don't want to toss those genes away in case I need them someday. For whatever reason it seems the Shafer cock and those hens nicked very, very well (in my opinion) - out of my small hatches I've got quite a few pullets that I am very happy with so far. Great depth and width already, some good wide heads, no sign of cushions yet. Considering I'm willing to cull and eat as many as necessary, I'm gonna plow through and see what I get. Overall type goals for me are less fluff and more thigh showing, they're still sitting a bit low/fluffy. The backs/tails/wings are much improved with this cock, and that was my first goal, so that's good.
If my cock over the F1 pullets doesn't yield more than half with good combs, I will make arrangements to just drive all the way to Ohio and get at least one pullet from Mr. Shafer. I'm not going to chase combs for multiple generations, but if one will do it, I'm willing to hatch a ton and pick through them. Hopefully I can get them all laying good sized eggs and ready to incubate in March.
55 grams, too. I'm impressed. Still next to the feeder instead of in the box 
