Triple Production Reds - anyone know a source?

[Colonel]

Hi - new guy checking in.

I have read several places about a breed called "Triple Production Reds" (do a Google search on it), but have never located a source. "Triple" is for 1) Eggs, 2) Meat, and 3) Chicks. The breed was developed for use in third world countries as a means of helping subsistence-level farmers become more productive without going high-tech. It is based on the Rhode Island Red, as I recall. They are good at foraging for food and have a high hatch rate of fertile eggs.

I first read about the breed in the booklet "Chick Production and Health - Guide to Improving Small-Farm Flocks in the Tropics" by John P. Bishop. Dr. Bishop has been developing the breed since 1984.

Does anyone have any leads on where I could get some chicks or fertile eggs for this breed? Thanks!

 

[lively Bee's]

I would also like info on them I did find this on the web

http://www.echotech.org/mambo/images/DocMan/Chickens.pdf

 

[Colonel]

I'm bumping this back up to the top - still hoping to find an answer. Thanks!

 

[BirdBrain]

If you read footnote #13 in that article above, it tells you the "recipe" for making these birds. You could always give it a try, but it may take a while to get the bird you are looking for. Let us know how things turn out....if you try it on your own.

 

[Colonel]

Thanks BirdBrain - I think I may end up going that route, although I was sure hoping to find a shortcut. My objective is to end up with a utilitarian chicken that our ancestors 150 years ago would have wanted. I kind of enjoy experimenting, so I guess it's back to the numbered leg bands and record books routine that I used a while back. One part I hated about doing that though, is that in order to determine which hens were the best layers, I had to keep them in individual cages. I much prefer having them run free during the day. Oh well... Yes, I will certainly report on the results.

Take care and God Bless.

Colonel

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Aren't there trap nests that some people use? Where the chickens are loose, but when they go into the nest box to lay an egg, it keeps them there until you let them out? That might be an option for you.

 

[Colonel]

Quote:
Now that's an interesting idea! I've never heard of that, but it sounds like a good idea. I'll keep an eye out for them. Thanks!

Colonel

 

[Davaroo]

My objective is to end up with a utilitarian chicken that our ancestors 150 years ago would have wanted.

We have that...it's called a Java. And since they are critically endangered, you might be doing everyone a favor without even trying!

 

[Davaroo]

Aren't there trap nests that some people use?
There are many simple trap nests you can make and more than a few you can buy. They work well and do the job.