The Poultry Keeper

debcat · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 9:20 pm Post subject: mixed hybrids

thread for mixed hybrids Very Happy

mgf · Joined: 02 Dec 2005 Posts: 10

These might be hybrids of something...

Sue B · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 362 Location: Lincolnshire

I'm I right in thinking mixed hybrids are chickens that are cross breeds??

Sorry I'm just a bit thick Confused

Hen-Gen · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:34 pm Post subject:

Yes, Sue, you are right but it usually is based on developing high production strains of pure breeds and then the final cross is what gives the hybrid. This gives a bit of added vigour and productivity and also because of the colours chosen in the two strains allows for sexing of the day old hybrids. This means that only the females need be reared and holds down costs.

Sue B · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 362 Location: Lincolnshire

Thanks......

I wondered because this year I put some fertile eggs from a lovely red hen under my broody. She had started laying in my garden instead of at the farm over the road. There's only one Cockerel at the farm but the four chicks(3 days old) are all different as are the four I left with the original mother.

I know this is probably not the most sensible way to ad to my flock but it was a moment of weakness after my third attempt at ebayers failed. They all look healthy and happy. So I guess I'll have to wait and see now.

mcleod-girls · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 6:51 pm Post subject:

we have"farmyard" chooks (bantams) as well as a couple of light sussex, don't see much difference in eggs or health, bantams the bosses of course!

successfully hatched a couple of chicks too from the light sussex/bantam coq Smile

Chris Kurzfeld · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Carmarthenshire

Earlier this year I put 6 black rock x welsummer and 4 pure welsummer eggs under my broody bantams. All ten hatched out, the welsummer turned out to be 3 pullets and 1 cockerel the crosses hatched out 3 black and 3 yellow. The yellow ones all grew to look like the welsummers and were cockerels. The black ones have grown with neck feathering like the welsummer and with a dark gold tip to some feathers and are all pullets. It will be interesting to see what colour eggs the x breeds lay.

Chris

Sue B · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 362 Location: Lincolnshire

Hi there
Thought you'd like to know how the chicks turned out.

The dark brown chick has become a beautiful very dark brown and black cockerel with a wonderful hair do and great personality.

The light brown chick is I hope a pullet but I'm not sure yet. S/he is a lovely golden brown with a black tail and feathered legs.

The yellow ones have turned out as buff and cream mixtures which wouldn't win any prizes for their good looks!

Its been great fun watching this mixed bunch grow. Very Happy

bronskibeat · Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 1531 Location: Clawddnewydd

Pics?? Would love to see your cockerel Very Happy