[Charlie1234]

3 cocks 1 hen going by head spot size but time will tell.

Did have 18 sasso chicks but my mate wanted something for hatching/rearing for me + was happy to take half the birds instead of money.

I can always put some more through my incubator once everything else is moved around 

[snowyriver]

I had the bresse for sunday lunch.

What did she do to warrant that? I always thought that bresse gauloise were a good hen to cross with an indian game cockerel to produce meat.

[Dave C]

When I was breeding them I would never have eaten a Pullet as there too good a layer 

But if you look back through Darren's posts I think it was 2 cockerels he had.

[Dave C]

3 cocks 1 hen going by head spot size but time will tell.

Did have 18 sasso chicks but my mate wanted something for hatching/rearing for me + was happy to take half the birds instead of money.

I can always put some more through my incubator once everything else is moved around 

Sounds typical about the Marans mate.

You might hav to be quick for more Sasso eggs, I've a feeling I will be culling most if not all of last years birds soon.
I'm just waiting on this years stock to start laying really.

[SallyintNorth]

We found some information that suggested that White Wyandotte on Light Sussex would give a fast-maturing, meaty bird.  Anyone tried it?

[Charlie1234]

I had the bresse for sunday lunch.

What did she do to warrant that? I always thought that bresse gauloise were a good hen to cross with an indian game cockerel to produce meat.

One of the dogs grabbed her and she was roughed up a bit so had to put her in the pot.

I did hatch 2 so called Bresse a few weeks back and they were not pure,1 had yellow legs,black feathers around his neck + through the body 

Sticking to Indian game + sasso`s for now...and maybe a few crosses in between   

3 cocks 1 hen going by head spot size but time will tell.

Did have 18 sasso chicks but my mate wanted something for hatching/rearing for me + was happy to take half the birds instead of money.

I can always put some more through my incubator once everything else is moved around 

Sounds typical about the Marans mate.

You might hav to be quick for more Sasso eggs, I've a feeling I will be culling most if not all of last years birds soon.
I'm just waiting on this years stock to start laying really.

No worries for now mate,think i`ve got plenty on for now,keep forgetting i`ve got the ducks to rear if they hatch as well as the marans+ barnevelder chicks currently in the spare room.

[snowyriver]

3 cocks 1 hen going by head spot size but time will tell.

I've not been able to sex many cuckoo marans by size of head spot, but it's much easier when the wing feathers develop by the width of the white barring, males being wider.
Can you feather sex indian game by development of tail and wing feathers?

[Charlie1234]

3 cocks 1 hen going by head spot size but time will tell.

I've not been able to sex many cuckoo marans by size of head spot, but it's much easier when the wing feathers develop by the width of the white barring, males being wider.
Can you feather sex indian game by development of tail and wing feathers?

Im only going by what I`ve read about sexing marans but im not bothered what they are to be honest,if I cant find them a home I can always fit one in the freezer..I havent got a clue about sexing Indian Game either mate..

[Dave C]

We found some information that suggested that White Wyandotte on Light Sussex would give a fast-maturing, meaty bird.  Anyone tried it?

I think it's only the white Wyndotte that's still bred for DP.
Over s quality utility LS should make a very nice shaped carcass, never tried it but would be very interested to hear how you get on 

Have you already got these breeds or look to bring something in for next year?

[Dave C]

3 cocks 1 hen going by head spot size but time will tell.

I've not been able to sex many cuckoo marans by size of head spot, but it's much easier when the wing feathers develop by the width of the white barring, males being wider.
Can you feather sex indian game by development of tail and wing feathers?

Im only going by what I`ve read about sexing marans but im not bothered what they are to be honest,if I cant find them a home I can always fit one in the freezer..I havent got a clue about sexing Indian Game either mate..

I think it's down to how light the Marans cockerel is, some are breeding the as lightly coloured as they can as it makes the light head spot more prominent.

As for IG I think you can Sex by wing feathers, it's not something I've done as like Charlie1234 I rear the excess for the table anyway or you also have no trouble homing them.

[Dave C]

Here are a few of my Marans eggs eggs




Looking for a cockerel to go with them
Not only from a dark egg but also bred big for Utility not just eggs or show.

Will probably just buy in some eggs and be ready to go next season.
What you think?

[SallyintNorth]

We found some information that suggested that White Wyandotte on Light Sussex would give a fast-maturing, meaty bird.  Anyone tried it?

I think it's only the white Wyndotte that's still bred for DP.
Over s quality utility LS should make a very nice shaped carcass, never tried it but would be very interested to hear how you get on 

Have you already got these breeds or look to bring something in for next year?

Thanks, Dave.

No, we don't have them yet.  Just wondering how hard we should try to source a White Wyandotte cockerel - and given your answer, I think we might try quite hard

We also wondered about whether the cross on a Speckled Sussex might work... our local organic choox and eggs guru said this was the best-performing DP breed they tried, and we do like them very much. 

[Charlie1234]

I have a number for a guy that breeds white wyandottes somewhere in one of my diaries,I will try and find it out
SallyintNorth 


Steve: 07976 846462   Cheshire poultry,also a place in Northern Ireland called Clogher Valley eggs and poultry.

http://cloghervalleypoultry.com/index.php/pure-breeds/30-wyandotte

[Dave C]

Sally, if you like them you go for it  I only have experience with Wyndotte bantams that I use as Broodies, so not as meat birds.
Had LS and they were OK but a bit framey if you know what I mean, might have been able to improve them if I gave them more time.

With traditional breeds I think it's more about the strain rather than the breed, look for a breeder who breeds for DP and fattens his cockerels for the table.
Speckled Sussex will work just as well if the strain is right.
Either Wyndotte or Sussex should give you a half decent bird in there own right, I would choose your favourite and breed them for fast maturity and size, then have a few of the other hens to cross them with.

Always rear your crosses with a pure breed, then you can compare the difference between them and the standard bird and if it's worth it, like a control.

Will be a very nice project 

[SallyintNorth]

Thanks Charlie.  Lots of good pics on that link - very helpful.

And thanks for the advice, Dave.