What would be your choice for best overall layer breed...longevity, hardiness, egg size, winter layi

[Michael Apple]

Most of what is on Wikipedia is accurate. But you don't have to believe that website. If your chickens don't breed true, then you do not have a breed of chicken.

What you are describing would be a hybrid. That would not be a breed of chicken.

You can create the California White, which is a hybrid, by crossing a California Gray rooster with a White Leghorn hen. The California White is not a breed.

By the way, it is California Gray. Gray with an a. I know the color can be spelled Gray or Grey. But the breed name is California Gray.

When anyone has the power to edit supposed facts on a website like Wikipedia, that justifies suspicion.

Many breeds are the result of hybridization.

Right on the California White.

I've never seen grey spelled like "gray" except in a last name. Habit I guess. They are CA Grays. Privett and Stromberg were the only ones who had them. I guess you could ask one of their breeders whether or not they are true CA Grays.

 

[Michael Apple]

Sorry to butt in I just wanted to say that no not all chickens are recognized as breeds. Guess how many bantams there are in the world-and then guess how many are actually recognized as a true breed-1

They recognize a bantam duck too but we are talking chickens!

Thanks, but I never did say "all". I said "most" meaning many.

 

[Bullitt]

When anyone has the power to edit supposed facts on a website like Wikipedia, that justifies suspicion.

Many breeds are the result of hybridization.

Right on the California White.

I've never seen grey spelled like "gray" except in a last name. Habit I guess. They are CA Grays. Privett and Stromberg were the only ones who had them. I guess you could ask one of their breeders whether or not they are true CA Grays.

I have no doubt that they are California Grays. I wasn't questioning that. I was just trying to explain why the California Gray is a breed.

Yes, many breeds are the result of crossing two or more breeds. But if it is just one crossing, that won't create a new breed.

 

[newbie32]

Thanks, but I never did say "all". I said "most" meaning many.

ahhh you are right!

 

[Michael Apple]

The APA does not recognize hybrids. It has to breed true to be considered as a breed, by anyone.

You can cross different breeds of chickens to create a new breed. But it takes multiple crossings, meaning multiple generations. If you cross a rooster of one breed with a hen of another breed you have a hybrid. The offspring can then be bred, but you will get a variety of offspring from those parents.

What I mean is that now established breeds recognized as such by the APA are a result of hybridization.

Gotcha. Handpicked offspring of desirable traits are bred to establish the end result.

 

[newbie32]

Well anyways it would be great if you could show off your Gray for us. Show pics!! Not too often do we get a different bird on here-unless mutt of course but you know what I mean

 

[Bullitt]

What I mean is that now established breeds recognized as such by the APA are a result of hybridization.

Gotcha. Handpicked offspring of desirable traits are bred to establish the end result.

You are right.

But what is called a hybrid chicken is the offspring of a single crossing of two breeds.

Earlier you mentioned that a Barred Plymouth Rock rooster and a White Leghorn hen created the California Gray. It takes more generations than one to create a new breed.

 

[Bullitt]

Well anyways it would be great if you could show off your Gray for us. Show pics!! Not too often do we get a different bird on here-unless mutt of course but you know what I mean

Yes, I would like to see pictures of your California Grays also.

 

[Michael Apple]

I have no doubt that they are California Grays. I wasn't questioning that. I was just trying to explain why the California Gray is a breed.

Yes, many breeds are the result of crossing two or more breeds. But if it is just one crossing, that won't create a new breed.

Okay. But in order to build consistency in a breeding program, it is perfected to the satisfaction of the breeder or whatever is put on paper, by using each successive offspring desired to breed from. Is it really breeding true that remains established forever?

 

[Michael Apple]

Yes, I would like to see pictures of your California Grays also.

There are some on the California Gray thread.