Murray Big Red Broiler (Red Ranger) ethnicity?

[Chubbicthe2nd]

I know Big Red broilers (Murray's Hatchery) are not a true breed, and at the moment we have a motley Crew of heritage chickens that are mixed themselves. Anyways, I'm thinking of getting some of these just because they're available in my area. I'll actually be using them as egg chickens and potentially getting their genetics mixed into my flock. I have an Australorp Rooster so I'm hoping over time I'll end up with a mostly Australorp clock. Biracial myself, I am not opposed to a bit of hybrid vigor ... But I was wondering, what are the genetics I'll be bringing in to my flock by having some big red broilers? I couldn't find anything on the site about what their parentage is. Anyone have them and have any guess?

I don't exactly care what genetics the chickens have, as long as four traits tend to prevail. All I really care about is that they're 1. hardy (no silkies!), 2. decent egg producers (3 eggs/week), 3. have decent temperaments (I'd rather not have pecking order chicken murders, also I have toddlers), and 4. can free range and hopefully dodge hawks that are endemic to our area.

At the moment our little flock is Australorp, Sussex, and Dark Cornish.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi,

Here's a review of Freedom Rangers, which are close to the Red Rangers. https://www.backyardchickens.com/reviews/freedom-ranger.11710/ The comments might be interesting to read.

This article is a rundown of most breeds and ones you have other than the ones you're considering: https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ide-to-picking-backyard-chicken-breeds.64518/

I guess this would only help you choose who to breed to whom, but from the little I know, the red rangers aren't the greatest for eggs but used mostly for meat.