Sounds like 4x5 domes or round growout pens would do good. Any kind of breeding management is going to take ability to protect and contain. What breeds of Americans do you think would best fit your infusion that you would like to do? Just the blueface or different hatch or different breed altogether?Yes, if its Marek’s I suspect its been present for a while and just not visibly effecting my birds. Last year some of the Americans I introduced died of Marek’s-like symptoms. Stumbling, lameness, ect.
I try to keep backups on different farms. There is a brother to Azog that looks like a bigger version of Indo who’s genetics I can tap back into again, but my hope is for each brother to start a line and then cross the lines after each is set.
Keeping backups on my farm is difficult for two reasons. First, a large number get weeded out on free range so what I start with is whichever survives. Its been difficult with the Liege crosses because so many wash out early on. I only get 1-2 adults for every 12-24 bitties I produce. My biggest setback was losing my 3 Liege hens. If I still had them I could keep cranking out more 3/4 Liege with Indo. So ultimately the hard-core free range life isn’t conducive for cranking out tons of the Liege crosses.
Second, those stags who survive have to be either cooped or sent off farm lest they then fall to which ever brood cock is on free range when the stags get spurs. I have 8 coops but all are in use at the moment. I probably have too many projects going on.