Hatch Grey and Carolina Grey??

Chinclub · #1 02/16/10, 03:39 PM

We were given 18 eggs for our kids to see hatch out in our incubator. We were told half were Hatch grey and half were carolina grey. I have been searching the Internet but cant find any info on these. What are they? What do we do with them after they hatch? We have a farm auction up the road where we can sell them when they get past the cute stage unless they are good for laying. It would be nice to have fresh eggs for breakfast and building a coup would be no problem. I know nothing about poultry so I am hoping someone knows about these birds and can give me some pointers on if we should keep them or sell them.

Thanks

muellerfarms · #2 02/16/10, 04:05 PM

i also did some research and, i am very familiar with chickens and found nothing on this breed. i would say it's either a mistake or it could be a cross breed that someone named themselves. or it could be a breed that not very many people know about. sorry couldn't be more helpful. ~Greg

Otter · #3 02/16/10, 04:17 PM

They are Games. The rooster's will likely not do well cooped together, but I've seen them be fine free-range. And they have a surprising amount of breast meat, good eating.

They lay as well as any heritage breed, better then some, but not like a Sex-link. The roosters take very good care of their ladies, good flock protectors and the hens are forever trying to hide a nest and raise a family.

I'd keep them, they are great, hardy homestead birds, just can't keep 2 roos confined together, but that's a lot of breeds.

PS Welcome to the forums muellerfarms!!!

kbshorts · #4 02/16/10, 04:17 PM

They are game chickens. The hens should be great broodies, the roosters are too small for meat and will fight. Hatch them out and keep the hens, they will lay although the eggs will be a bit smaller than standard laying hens. They may tend to hide their eggs. Very hardy and quite capable of taking care of themselves with little help. I have gotten a bit of game crossed into my Buff Orphingtons and like it. Keep one rooster, he should be quite pretty and not people aggressive. I have several of them for yard ornaments in my flock.

KB

Cyngbaeld · #5 02/16/10, 04:35 PM

The roos may not be big, but the meat is gourmet. If you keep the breeds pure, the hatching eggs can be sold for more than eating eggs.

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/G...KAmerGame.html

Chinclub · #6 02/16/10, 05:58 PM

Thanks for the information. So what would be the best way to house them?

Cyngbaeld · #7 02/16/10, 07:01 PM

Same as any other chicken. They do very well free ranging, just don't leave too many roosters together in too small an area.

**mygoat** · #8 02/16/10, 07:25 PM

I agree, free range them. Roosters won't fight unless confined and forced into the same 'territories', or restrict a less dominant rooster from escaping a more dominant rooster. When roosters fight, one wins and chases the looser away with little to no injury to either. Injuries occur when the looser can't get away.

I'm currently keeping 7 heritage type roosters and they all do fine free ranging. My hens get a little harried, however.

wofarm · #9 02/16/10, 10:22 PM

they certainly will fight,if they are worth their salt. Brood fights usually aren't to the death but they will very likely turn out some blinkers and cripples. I bred a few Hatch as well as a few other families in my day. best to segregate the cockerels by 4-5 months anyhow or as soon as you notice them wanting to spar.