Variations from 2nd generation crossbreed

[Ra_]

I crossed a Barred Rock with a Dixie Rainbow to develop what I call Rainbow Rock.
The first generation chicks all looked just like Barred Rock chicks.
The roosters matured looking fairly similar to each other.
The hens look very similar to each other.
The roosters have patterning that varies from the Barred Rock.
The hens look like a brighter version of a Barred Rock.

Now I have hatched a 2nd generation by breeding the 1st generation birds to each other.
This has brought out more variety in the chicks.
There are two chicks with totally black heads, which I've never seen in a Barred Rock,
nor in any of the 1st generation Rainbow Rock.

There is a chick with a pied face.

And this time I got some that look just like the Dixie Rainbow hens did as chicks.

I am looking forward to seeing what these birds look like as they mature.

 

[16Chickens Keeper]

Nice ill be following along

 

[Ra_]

Nice ill be following along

I just realized that I haven't adopted a logo for the Rainbow Rock yet.
Here's a possibility to which I could add some text.

I also live 4 miles from one of the biggest natural springs in Florida.
Rainbow Spring.

It pumps out 600m gallons of clear, pure water a day, to create the Rainbow River.

When I'm ready to sell Rainbow Rock trios ...
Come for the birds, stay for the Spring.
An alternative to shipping.

 

[Ra_]

I think their butts may be a clue for sexing them?
I was just noticing these two. I'm thinking girl and boy.
They are 11 days old.

Rainbow Rock hens develop enormous fluffy butt

edited to announce their new names.
Kim & Kanye.

 

[Chickenaddition]

I just realized that I haven't adopted a logo for the Rainbow Rock yet.
Here's a possibility to which I could add some text.

View attachment 1680253

I also live 4 miles from one of the biggest natural springs in Florida.
Rainbow Spring.

View attachment 1680307

It pumps out 600m gallons of clear, pure water a day, to create the Rainbow River.

View attachment 1680308

When I'm ready to sell Rainbow Rock trios ...
Come for the birds, stay for the Spring.
An alternative to shipping.

Is Rainbow Spring any where close to the Ocala National Forest? I used to live in Florida a long long time ago. One of my treasured memories from there is going to Ocala National forest to a river that starts out from a spring and you could canoe down it and then it goes from a small river among trees out to a huge river out in the open.

Just curious. Also will watch these guys grow out. Curious to see what they turn out to be.

 

[Ra_]

Is Rainbow Spring any where close to the Ocala National Forest? I used to live in Florida a long long time ago. One of my treasured memories from there is going to Ocala National forest to a river that starts out from a spring and you could canoe down it and then it goes from a small river among trees out to a huge river out in the open.

Ya, the forest is about 20 miles to the east of Rainbow Spring.
ONF is huge. Almost 700 sq. miles. There are a number of springs in the forest.
Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, Salt Springs and here's Silver Glen Springs:

 

[16Chickens Keeper]

This may sound dumb in a way but,
What does a Dixie Rainbow look like?
And do you have a main thread for your project

 

[Ra_]

This may sound dumb in a way but,
What does a Dixie Rainbow look like?
And do you have a main thread for your project

I guess this is it?

I've been told that the The Dixie Rainbow are derived from a project that began in France almost 60 years ago.
Those birds, known as Label Rouge were bred to be the ideal large breed, dual purpose, free range chicken.
http://www.volaillelabelrouge.com/fr/les-volailles-un-elevage-different/

 

[Chickenaddition]

Ya, the forest is about 20 miles to the east of Rainbow Spring.
ONF is huge. Almost 700 sq. miles. There are a number of springs in the forest.
Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, Salt Springs and here's Silver Glen Springs:

That's it.... Juniper Springs. Great memory down there. Thanks for that! Sorry to derail your thread a bit.

 

[Ra_]

I tried to take a pic but even in full sun, I was unable to freeze the action with my camera. The built in large zoom lens really requires a lot of light.
18 days old today. These 18 birds bounce around like superballs in a dryer.
They are very hearty. They only spent 7 nights in the brooder.
They live outside. I wrap a heating pad in a towel at night for them to sleep on.

Thor here is totally brave and affectionate.
He loves getting picked up.

I think I can tell the sex on some of them now.
I'm gonna put aside the white birds ( I'm gonna call them Golden Rainbow Rock )
I'm gonna keep the two with the black heads and a few others.
I'm gonna put some pairs together from the rest of them.
I've already got two people locally waiting to buy birds.

My hens peck at these babies but my Alpha rooster strolled into their habitat and began feeding them. He is so sweet.