Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Chicken Breeding Techniques
Grading:
This is how a flock can be improved by modifying traits. The chicken is graded for charac-
teristics that the breeder wants. For example if they are looking for egg laying traits they will
grade the chickens to be breed for egg laying traits and choose the best ones for breeding the
best egg layers.
This is done by breeding with different strains and types of chicken which have strong char-
acteristics that you want bred into your flock. Six to eight generations of breeding will be
counted as pure stock. A flock can be modified and strengthened for different purposes by
this method. Once the right traits have been established the birds are often returned to the
flock and the rolling method can be used.
Rolling Mating:
This method of mating is also known as 'The Old Farmer's Method.” Young cockerels are
mated with mature hens and young pullets are mated with mature roosters. This method re-
quires two flocks one for the mature birds and one for the pullets and cockerels. The birds
are culled at the end of the breeding season, so that only the best birds are used for breeding
and the flock is kept at a proper number. This method works well in that you will find few
birds that are related to each other. This allows you to keep a stronger flock.
Single Mating:
This is when the standard of breeding only requires the same genetic traits from the male
and female. Therefore you need just one pen of birds and the pair only has to mate once. The
rooster and hen are both exhibition birds.
Out and Out Mating:
This form of mating is when you bring a new rooster from an outside source each year. This
method was used with cross breeds but is also used for pure bred chickens. This is done to
stop weakening of the flock by too much family interbreeding. However, it can also have
its disadvantages. The strong traits of the first breeding may not be present with a different
rooster as each rooster comes with different traits.
