[Dave C]

My intention was to use a jubilee indian game cockerel over light sussex pullets to produce a white feathered bird which looks cleaner when dressed, but of my indian game chicks which hatched from 2 different sources, the 2 dark indian game growers were over 200g heavier each than the jubilee and blue chicks at 9 weeks. Is there a growth pattern amongst the 3 colours, or just the way it's happened with these few?

Keep up the good work, as I'm sure there are quite a few of us watching from the wings.

Hi Snowyriver, I would say your right about the Darks being larger than jubilees and I've heard it said on other IG discussion sites before.
I don't have much experience with the blues but have some chicks coming through now so will let you know how they measure up 

[Bramham Wiltshire Horns]

Yes you did Dave I suppose I lost my trail of thought
My results are a lot more satisfying now ha

[Dave C]

So are all of your IG X LS growers Pullets ?
Would have been nice to have some cockerels to compare weights against you pure LS.

[Bramham Wiltshire Horns]

So are all of your IG X LS growers Pullets ?
Would have been nice to have some cockerels to compare weights against you pure LS.

Hi Dave
I weighed the birds last night but not had chance to update sheet as yet but I will mark on the sheet what sex etc they are

The original 5 IG X on the spread are all pullets
And all the birds marked LS are males

1105 is the Light Sussex male

Phew if that makes sense

I've found that now the cocks and pullets are split up the seem to be doing better
Spread will be up shortly

[Bramham Wiltshire Horns]

THIS IS LAST WEEKS RESULTS TOOK A WHILE TO REFORMAT ALL THE SPREADSHEET

I HAVE SPLIT INTO 2 SEPARATE SPREADS MALES AND FEMALES

ITS ABIT MORE SIMPLE

HAPPY READING

[snowyriver]

How many pure LS and how many IG x LS fertile eggs did you incubate in the first place?
With only 2 pure LS growers, was it poor fertility or did they die in the shell?

[Bramham Wiltshire Horns]

How many pure LS and how many IG x LS fertile eggs did you incubate in the first place?
With only 2 pure LS growers, was it poor fertility or did they die in the shell?

If memory serves me correct
set 8 of each 16 total
If everything are what I think they are then
All IG X hatched
LS  2 in fertile 3 hatched from the 8

[snowyriver]

All IG X hatched

Crossbreds always seem to have better results as they benefit from hybrid vigour.

[Bramham Wiltshire Horns]

Yes I agree

Do you have and breeding/selecting processes etc

[snowyriver]

I only keep small numbers therefore don't have many to select from, but I aim to select my stock cockerels on early maturity and weight for age. The breeding hens are 2 & 3 year old and selected on their laying ability as pullets.

[Bramham Wiltshire Horns]

Do you trap nest to count numbers of eggs from each bird?

[snowyriver]

Nothing that technical.
All chicks are wing tagged and I keep records of simple things like weight at 9 weeks, age at first lay, temperament (calm hens are more productive), and moult (date and length of time unproductive). Broodiness I don't want in my Light Sussex flock, therefore any sign of broodiness and they are moved on. I hope to use my pure Indian Game pullets as broodies.
I just want to keep a small flock of traditional pure breeds, where the Light Sussex can produce eggs in acceptable numbers and cockerels make a worthwhile meal. The Indian Game will hopefully add extra meat yield to the first cross.

[Bramham Wiltshire Horns]

Sounds like you have it sorted

[Bramham Wiltshire Horns]

Why do you look at weight at 9 weeks?

[snowyriver]

Up until 9 weeks they are kept in a controlled environment, thereafter they free range with the mature birds and there will be so many variables which will have an influence on their weight gain.

For the first month they are reared inside in a brooder cage with heat plate, by which time they've feathered up and are then put outside for their 2nd month in a coop with run, fed on a rearer pellet, then I weigh them to give me an indication on growth potential and early maturity.