[Craigx]

  hello, 

I have decided to keep a cockerel out of the chicks i currently have in the unheated indoor brooder - for a few months to save me buying eggs from auction lol.

As some of you know, i have some eX bats which do lay, what will happen if the cockerel treads them? will they be hybrid / pure crosses?

Not sure which cockerel i plan on keeping yet, but it maybe a RIR, or light sussex, but whatever it will be, wont be a bantam,

Craig

[arugula]

Yes, they will be a cross of pure breed and hybrid. Through your choice of breed you can introduce traits you wish to promote, such as high egg yields or good meat birds.

[Craigx]

is there any downsides to this?

Craig

[GrannieAnnie]

The only one is from my point of view that you won't know what you've got until they hatch.  They could have the best parts of the parents or the worst.

They may not lay as well as the hybrids, or they may not be as friendly as most of the egg laying hybrids like warrens, but give it a go.

Some people sell cross breeds as pure breeds because they look the part.  I'm not saying you are going to sell yours, but be honest with your customers.  It is the only way to get a good reputation.

Let us know how you get on!!   

[ANHBUC]

I was just thinking of doing the same with my young Welsummer cockerel and one of my Black Rock hens.  I think they should make an interesting cross.  Dotty is showing signs of going broody again so hopefully she will be able to sit on them for me.

I look forward to seeing the results of your breeding program Craig.   :happy:

[Craigx]

I will keep you all informed and i will be honest with any potential customers, bad/liar breeders, screw it up for everyone..


the decision of cockerel will depend on the breed of the cockerel in there, im going to upload pics soon as they dont look like theyre ment to lol,


Craig

[joyfull]

Craig quite simply they will be crossbreeds - a hybrid is simply a crossbreed too  . Hybrids are simply a cross of two pure breeds but when you introduce another breed they become the chicken version of a mongrel.
However you need to make sure that the cockerel will not be able to mate with any of his sisters as this can lead to all kinds of genetic problems.

[Craigx]

any of the chicks in the brooder at the moment, is from 3 different egg-sets, (bad hatch rate)





Craig

[nuzuki]

I have a maran cross light sussex hatching at the moment but I do intend to breed hybrids with hybrids and pure breds. I dont think people mind hybrids so much. There is a farm in Stoke Mandeville (millhouse I think its called) which sells hybrids chickens at £2 less than pure breds. I think from what ive read they are less prone to getting ill but may not live as long. It certainly makes for an interesting flock mind.

Good luck with it Craig 

[Craigx]

Hey


Thanks for ur replies...

nuzuki would u mind uploading a picture of your hatch?

Craig

[ANHBUC]

I have a Light Sussex bantam x Partridge Wyandotte bantam.  I think it is a cockerel but crossing my fingers for a pullet.  Haven't taken any photos recently but here are the last ones I took.  If it is a cockerel I will probably cross him with my other Partridge Wandotte Bantam in a hope of getting some pullets.   :blink:

[Craigx]

seems, the light sussex gentics, are the dominent in your pics?

Craig

[GrannieAnnie]

As Joyfull says, they will just be crossbreeds.  The commercial hybrids are not just a straight cross of 2 pure breeds.  either or both of the parents can have genes from other breeds in them too to give hens which lay more eggs. (ISA which is a Hendrix Genetics company are trying to get hens that lay 500 eggs in thei life on the commercial farms at the moment!)

And hens that are docile and friendly etc etc.  It's very scientific these days.

The crossbreeds that us amateurs produce could be anything!

[ANHBUC]

seems, the light sussex gentics, are the dominent in your pics?

Craig

They are in the colouring but the body shape is more Wyandotte.  I will try and get some up to date photos.   

[Craigx]

As Joyfull says, they will just be crossbreeds.  The commercial hybrids are not just a straight cross of 2 pure breeds.  either or both of the parents can have genes from other breeds in them too to give hens which lay more eggs. (ISA which is a Hendrix Genetics company are trying to get hens that lay 500 eggs in thei life on the commercial farms at the moment!)

And hens that are docile and friendly etc etc.  It's very scientific these days.

The crossbreeds that us amateurs produce could be anything!

Theyre messing with the genetics, to make them lay 500 eggs in there life??

The crossbreeds that us amateurs produce could be anything! --- could be amazing also!