/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    If you're already a member of our community, click here to login & click here to learn what's new!

What Chicks to keep (for colored egg layers)?

Discussion in 'General breed discussions & FAQ' started by Bleenie, Mar 18, 2012.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Mar 18, 2012 #1
    Bleenie

    Bleenie Wyan-DO's

    5,014
    33
    268
    Jul 14, 2009
    The Beautiful Pacific NW ,WA
    I have a batch of EE chicks and what I would like to know is... For the best chance of getting colored egg layers should I keep the chicks with Pea combs only? A few have straight combs & some rose combs.

    Thank you =)
     
  3. Mar 18, 2012 #2
    Dipsy Doodle Doo

    Dipsy Doodle Doo ODD BIRD

    7,177
    42
    293
    Jan 11, 2007
    Aiken, South Carolina 29801
    My Coop
    I think that would be your best bet.
    BUT, I have a couple of single combed hens (from Rock x Ameraucana cross) that lay blue/green eggs.
     
  5. Mar 18, 2012 #3
    Bleenie

    Bleenie Wyan-DO's

    5,014
    33
    268
    Jul 14, 2009
    The Beautiful Pacific NW ,WA
    Crap... So I guess I should keep all the Pea combs and them the others that i like best, just in case? [​IMG]
     
  7. Mar 18, 2012 #4
    Dipsy Doodle Doo

    Dipsy Doodle Doo ODD BIRD

    7,177
    42
    293
    Jan 11, 2007
    Aiken, South Carolina 29801
    My Coop
    Hahahaha, that's what I do (and explains why I have so MANY chickens).
    I think I read that there is a 3% chance that a single combed bird will inherit blue-egg-gene, so it is a stretch.
     
  9. Mar 18, 2012 #5
    Bleenie

    Bleenie Wyan-DO's

    5,014
    33
    268
    Jul 14, 2009
    The Beautiful Pacific NW ,WA
    Well aren't you lucky! Thankfully there's only a few single combed chicks with really pretty patterns I want to keep, because I was thinking "geeze I am giong to end up with WAY too many babies if I keep the single combed ones too!!"
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by