Genetic Selection, management and Behavior. Prof. W. M. Muir (Purdue University)

I have been using genetic selection with my satin rabbits for over 20 years.

Recently, I started a genetic selection process to increase the body size of my fantastic Amerauracana hen who produced 300 eggs a year for four years on pasture and sprouted grains. She is still alive in her fifth year, now only laying Spring and Fall. What I did was bring in a barnvelder Rooster then the next year crossed an Ameraucana rooster on six new Barnvelder pullets. The first birds crossed produced vigorous chicks on the ground without a hen at 20 days old. 40 degree night temperature in a protected unheated unlit pen. Some roosters that started breeding at four months. A few hens that layed eggs at 4.7 mos.

The combination of correctly selecting the heavy weight birds, and the lowered amount /cost of feed by sprouting the black oil sunflower, wheat and oats was calmer birds on 1/3 volume of feed.

Please my question about genetic selection: Do you have other varieties of chickens that you have done similar "out-crossings" and produced good results?

Appreciate knowing how to find the data, thank you. *J