What is double mating?

[BantyChickMom]

Looking at hatchery sites, I've seen several breeds that say....."they require double mating for the production of quality males and females"
What exactly does this mean?

 

[pips&peeps]

I haven't heard the term before, but I do know that in some colors, it takes a different roosters to make good pullets and cockerels.

For example, I have silver ameraucanas. I was informed to hatch good quality cockerels, I have to use a rooster that fits the standard of perfection on color to a "t". To hatch quality pullets, you need to use a rooster that was not quite right. I was told to use a rooster that had flecks of white in the breast area and white flecks in the muff and beard.

I could be wrong, but maybe that is what they are referring to.

 

[BantyChickMom]

Thanks pips,
that sounds like the same thing you were told.
I kinda thought it would be 2 different roosters but wasn't quite sure

 

[patandchickens]

A quick google confirms that, yes, as pips&peeps says, it is a term for when you maintain one set o' birds from which to breed exhibition-quality males, and a whole other set o' birds from which to breed exhibition-quality males. On account of the genetic basis for near-perfect males being somewhat in opposition to that needed for near-perfect females, sort of 'can't have your cake and eat it too'.

Which makes me personally think the Standards should oughta be rewritten with a slightly less eighteenth-century understanding of genetics and a healthy dose of realism.... but I don't show and never will so my opinion doesn't really count for much

Pat

 

[tiki244]

----yea some of those real old books are fun and funny to read-----

 

[tiki244]

bantychickmom, if you were planning on double mating the cochins there are some good articles on the pekinbantams website

 

[BantyChickMom]

Thanks tiki, and cochins are what I'm talking about