Hatching and Raising Chicks
Stephanie Coomer evaluates her standard breed Cochins to select which hens and roosters will go into her breeding pens.( Photo by Stephanie Coomer)
Will this chick grow out to lead the flock? Time will tell.( Photo by Stephanie Coomer)
Large Orpingtons, on the other hand, tend to lose fertility in the coldest months. If you don’ t get them on the ground by November, it will be unlikely to get any kind of numbers on the ground again before February.
Orpingtons are shown in the APA’ s English class. They are a dual purpose, egg and meat breed. They are known for their calm, even temperament. They are good broody hens and good mothers.
As for the Wyandottes, you may find that they also seem to have fertility almost anytime, so you can set those up accordingly as well.
Wyandottes are in the APA’ s American class, sharing their name with a Native American tribe. They are cold hardy, tracing their history to the cold winters of New York State.
Choose Breeding Birds
As for who will be bred, it is going to depend on what the line needs. To that end, breed with the Standard of Perfection as the goal. Determine what points need improvement in your flock, and breed toward them.
Many breeders choose to breed the best of the best. This works
www. chickenwhisperermagazine. com Winter 2024 9