Many of us in the homestead movement have realized that our dependence upon commercial hatcheries for our broiler chicks is a weakness in our sustainable food chain. Our best defense is to decentralize it by breeding, raising, and processing our own livestock and to resist any attempts to stop us from doing so.
The most popular broiler raised by farmers, small and large, is the Cornish Rock; also known as the Cornish Cross. This hybrid has been refined over the decades to meet the needs of the poultry industry. Given that it is a hybrid, it does not lend itself to breeding a Cornish Rock rooster to a Cornish Rock hen to produce Cornish Rock offspring.
There are a lot of opportunities for farmers and homesteaders to develop their own poultry breeds and strains. In brief, the key is to make a list of goals and desired traits and then select one of the breeding programs described in this video:
In addition to the strategies described in the video, devising an ethical breeding program can yield the greatest overall benefits. An ethical breeding program is one that is designed to promote the health and welfare of the animals being bred, while also minimizing any negative impacts on the environment or other animals. Ethical breeding programs prioritize the well-being of the animals and strive to minimize any negative effects on genetic diversity or other aspects of the population.
Some key components of an ethical breeding program may include:
Maintaining genetic diversity: Ethical breeding programs work to maintain genetic diversity within the population, in order to reduce the risk of genetic issues that can arise from inbreeding or other breeding practices.
Ensuring animal welfare: Ethical breeding programs prioritize the health and well-being of the animals being bred, providing them with appropriate housing, nutrition, and veterinary care as needed.
Minimizing negative impacts: Ethical breeding programs work to minimize any negative impacts on the environment or other animals, through responsible breeding practices and appropriate management of the population.
Transparency: Ethical breeding programs are transparent about their practices and outcomes, sharing information with other breeders and interested parties in order to promote the development of best practices and the overall well-being of the animals being bred.
Ultimately, the goal of an ethical breeding program is to promote the health and welfare of the animals being bred, while also ensuring the long-term sustainability of the population and minimizing any negative impacts on the environment or other animals.
Here’s a few traits that I would look for in my breed and resulting strains:
1. Rapid growth rate
2. Abundant breast meat
3. Four legs and no wings (I can dream!)
4. Calm and friendly demeanor
5. Heat and cold tolerant
6. Hard feathers for repelling rain and snow
7. Predator resistant: Smells and sees predators at a distance, alerts, and runs for cover. Feather colors and patterns provide good camouflage.
Other traits could be dependent upon your goals. Perhaps, you want an SUV chicken that free ranges, lays eggs in the coop, and is meaty enough to make a good stewer when she is too old to lay eggs.
For pastured poultry (raised in movable pens or shelters on grass), I'd start by crossing a White Plymouth Rock rooster with a dozen or so Cornish hens to create your own Cornish Rock breed. I would also try developing the Delaware chicken by crossing a Barred Plymouth Rock rooster to New Hampshire hens. I think that the Delaware could be an excellent utility breed for both eggs and meat.
Another utility breed that homesteaders should consider is the German Bielefelder. This is a very large breed that is good for meat and eggs. It is hardy and cold tolerant. They like to free range and do well on pasture.
I have learned that I can co-culture layers and broilers. I designed a coop that is low to the ground. The Cornish Rocks do not roost, they get too large and cannot jump, but they will go inside the coop at night after a day of free ranging and foraging as long as the ramp is not too steep. My layers are Barnevelders and they tend to head in early to roost. The Cornish Rocks hang around and eat and drink until it's nearly dark, then they head in and find a spot on the floor to the side of the roost. So, it is possible to forgo the Salatin chicken tractor design (often used to shelter broilers on pasture) and use a "lowrider" version of his Eggmobile type structure to house both breeds.
I was in 4-H when I was a kid and won many blue and purple ribbons with my Red and Copper Satin rabbit breeds. Developing your own lines is fun and fulfilling. I recommend keeping good records. All of my rabbits had identifying tattoos on their ears and pedigrees. With chickens, I'd maintain pedigrees and use leg bands for identification. I suppose you could use chips, too. Chew carefully!
By selecting a breed and a breeding program that works best for you, you can create your own resilient, sustainable chicken breed and eliminate your dependence upon the failing, centralized food system.
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