Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[FOGELLY]

Afternoon all

I know some breeders/exhibitors don't like the idea of messing with shipped eggs.  When I got my trio of Columbian Rocks, I promised Bob that I would share them and I find that hatching eggs is the least expensive way to do that, especially if sharing with another experienced poultry person.

I try to mark my eggs by breeding pen #, share the breeding pen info with the person I am sending eggs to and they use their experience and expertise to work from there.  Recently, I send 21 (I think) Col Rock eggs to Ron F (who posts here on this thread) and I believe that prior to the ice/snow storm wiping out his hatch, that 17 of those 21 were developing.

Kathyinmo was kind enough to put my method of shipping eggs into a "Member page" (thanks Kathy!!!) and it can be found here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/shipping-eggs-by-yard-full-o

Some folks can't see spending $100 or more to get started with a pair or trio....and if we are truly wanting to continue the "Old Breeds", perhaps we should look at alternatives such as these for beginners.  I've shipped eggs as far as California (I'm in Ga) and had eggs hatch at a rate of 80% and better.

Just food for thought

Yes, I did have 17 of 21 developing nicely. I think it helps to have some time under your belt hatching eggs. I have hatched well over 1500 chicks since childhood. As there are methods of shipping there are also methods to successful hatching of shipped eggs. Other than the normal incubation, I always let shipped eggs rest upright for atleast 24 hours after they are unpacked. After putting them in the bator I don't start the turner for another 24 hours, and I hatch them upright.
A while back I aquired an old Sportsman with auto turner and auto humidity. I converted it to the digital themostat and it is just a dream. It holds temp and humidity rock solid. Then a fellow BYCer found a Sportsman six drawer hatcher for me. It also holds perfect temps and humidity. I have less it them both than a single new one.
They have given me the best hatch rates I have ever had.
Back to shipped eggs. I have used Scott's method and another method (Skyline) to ship eggs all over the USA. One shipment of 27 eggs went to South Dakota. 24 of them hatched. It probably helped that they went to a person who makes his living hatching and selling game birds, but most have had exceptable hatches.

Some people are willing to take the chance, and it is by far the least expensive.

I would like to thank Scott for his willingness to let me help him with the Columbian Rocks. He has more than paid it forward.
By the way I now a generator and won't be losing anymore hatches to power failure.
We finally got power back after three days.

Ron

 

[Chris09]

That's what I was thinking. There are enough judges here to pull this off. Of course, of course, a thousand times, of course photos aren't the same as handling a bird, but the educational value of this, showing folks what a good bird is? Priceless. Also, why? Why is this bird good, why does this bird need work and why does that bird fail to come close enough. That kind of thing. But...... also educating on what a Rock is, for example. Why is supposed to have this tail, this back, this breast, this leg set, etc. Then, what is a Buckeye? What is supposed to look like and why?

Do you think there'd be any interest in such a thread, trying desperately to keep it educational and not competitive? Truthful, but at the same time mentoring in nature?

Fred,
I think you and Walt have a good Idea here.
You would have to let the people know that it is for APA Standard Bred Poultry (Show Birds). I would also keep the hardcore judging to the APA judges that are on BYC. I know Walt and Bill are APA judges are there any others?

Chris

 

[fowlman01]

That's what I was thinking. There are enough judges here to pull this off. Of course, of course, a thousand times, of course photos aren't the same as handling a bird, but the educational value of this, showing folks what a good bird is? Priceless. Also, why? Why is this bird good, why does this bird need work and why does that bird fail to come close enough. That kind of thing. But...... also educating on what a Rock is, for example. Why is supposed to have this tail, this back, this breast, this leg set, etc. Then, what is a Buckeye? What is supposed to look like and why?

Do you think there'd be any interest in such a thread, trying desperately to keep it educational and not competitive? Truthful, but at the same time mentoring in nature?

I think it would have the following you see here. Some people show and some don't, but they all want to know how their breed should look if it was a very good specimen. In any event we won't know until we try it. I am sure that there will be times when a couple judges disagree, as there is some areas of the SOP that are not as detailed as they could be, but it shouldn't get competitive. I do some of this kind of thing in person and I am always reminded that the things I take for granted are eye openers to entry poultry people. The biggest fault in many breeds is a flat lower chest. In person I can show you that in under a minute and you will remember it. Online it is harder, but doable.

Some of Schillings work that has not been retouched is good to use when available. There is a group shot of Rocks that shows some body defects and good points.

Walt

 

[Fred's Hens]

Well, we have this thread already. But if it were a fresh thread somewhere, that'd be fine, I would think. This is Bob's thread and far be it from me to hijack it.
But this idea has been kickin' around in my head for over a year on here. We've run this up the flagpole now. Let's see if anyone salutes it.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Fred,
I think you and Walt have a good Idea here.
You would have to let the people know that it is for APA Standard Bred Poultry (Show Birds). I would also keep the hardcore judging to the APA judges that are on BYC. I know Walt and Bill are APA judges are there any others?

Chris

Chris, one difference would be that this wouldn't necessarily include photos of bathed and gussied up birds. Just birds folks have in the yard. I'd personally not think we'd want to go any other way, but again, just kickin' ideas around here. As far as judges, I'd like to see a "panel" of folks accepted as expert for the breed, licensed judges or not. Say 5 member panel?

 

[Ivagrove]

I think Fred's Hens' idea for a new thread is marvelous. It would be helpful to a lot of people. So where's the link already?

 

[kathyinmo]

Well, we have this thread already. But if it were a fresh thread somewhere, that'd be fine, I would think. This is Bob's thread and far be it from me to hijack it.
But this idea has been kickin' around in my head for over a year on here. We've run this up the flagpole now. Let's see if anyone salutes it.

Are you gonna start a thread? I'm ready to salute.

 

[NotAFarm]

Well, we have this thread already. But if it were a fresh thread somewhere, that'd be fine, I would think. This is Bob's thread and far be it from me to hijack it.
But this idea has been kickin' around in my head for over a year on here. We've run this up the flagpole now. Let's see if anyone salutes it.

Please post the link here if you decide on a new thread.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Yes, I did have 17 of 21 developing nicely. I think it helps to have some time under your belt hatching eggs. I have hatched well over 1500 chicks since childhood. As there are methods of shipping there are also methods to successful hatching of shipped eggs. Other than the normal incubation, I always let shipped eggs rest upright for atleast 24 hours after they are unpacked. After putting them in the bator I don't start the turner for another 24 hours, and I hatch them upright.
A while back I aquired an old Sportsman with auto turner and auto humidity. I converted it to the digital themostat and it is just a dream. It holds temp and humidity rock solid. Then a fellow BYCer found a Sportsman six drawer hatcher for me. It also holds perfect temps and humidity. I have less it them both than a single new one.
They have given me the best hatch rates I have ever had.
Back to shipped eggs. I have used Scott's method and another method (Skyline) to ship eggs all over the USA. One shipment of 27 eggs went to South Dakota. 24 of them hatched. It probably helped that they went to a person who makes his living hatching and selling game birds, but most have had exceptable hatches.
Some people are willing to take the chance, and it is by far the least expensive.
I would like to thank Scott for his willingness to let me help him with the Columbian Rocks. He has more than paid it forward.
By the way I now a generator and won't be losing anymore hatches to power failure.
We finally got power back after three days.
Ron

Ron

Would it be ok to add your "after arrival" instructions to the shipping hatching eggs page?? It might just help a some person have slightly better success with hatched eggs!! (Glad to hear you finally got power back!!)

I've also done the same thing as you do except I never thought about starting the incubator for a day without turning them....still hatch eggs upright to this day, even on my own eggs. Seems that I get more to hatch....one old guy told me he had always hatched "incubated eggs upright 'cause the chicks didn't have to reorient to being laid sideways. Eggs under a broody hen are always on their side, BUT, incubated eggs are always upright". Made sense to me.

I have a hatch coming off right now and of the 23 that made it to the 18th day, 19 have hatched so far

Thanks....

 

[gjensen]

I think the new thread is a good idea. I imagine most would not be so sensitive as to get their feelings hurt. I hope the judging is left to the judges, and let the individuals that contributed a chance to ask questions. It would help to get clarifications. Something that they might not get at a show.