Hi Everyone.
I've been lurking on this wonderful thread for quite a while now. I promised myself I wouldn't post anything until I had read the entire thread. Tonight, under the light of the blue moon, I finally caught up and finished all amazing 14000 and counting posts. The amount of knowledge on this thread is staggering. And I have been working on trying to absorb it all.
I'm another neophyte on here who has been 'converted'. I started with hatchery chickens and have really enjoyed them. But I have the breeding bug pretty bad. I've bred fish for years, and now that we've literally 'bought the farm' , I'm ready to start on breeding chickens. I've been casting about far and wide trying to figure out which breed I want to work with, and was admittedly fascinated by some of the new 'it' breeds. But then I got lucky and a few things happened to change my outlook.
I recently attended the 'Seed Savers' conference in Decorah, Iowa. While I was there, I was able to attend presentations by Jeanette Berenger and Alison Martin of the ALBC on the need to preserve Heritage poultry. They talked about the work they had done with Buckeyes to help improve the breed. Around the same time, while browsing through BYC, I came upon this thread and started my journey reading it.
Jeanette and and Alison also told us of the ongoing project that has been started to help bring the Java back, and this has really piqued my interest. I went back home and did as much research as I could on the Java breed of chicken and have decided this is the breed for me. A breed with as much history and relevance as the Java is something I can really get behind.
I currently do not have any Javas myself. I tend to research a subject to death so that I am sure of it, then commit. Although I am ready for the commitment, on this thread I've found some more avenues for research to explore first. I have seen several mentions of Javas on here, and some participants have said they currently are raising them. I have some questions for you.
For those that are raising them, what is your opinion on the current state of the breed today? What are some of the major/well known lines of Javas? Which of those are still in existence? Of the Black or Mottled Javas, which is in more need of help? Or is the need urgent for both? I want to limit myself to one variety, so I can stay focused. And who are the 'Go to' people for info on the breed?
I've got a million other questions, but that should do it for a start. Thanks in advance for any info you may have.
I've been lurking on this wonderful thread for quite a while now. I promised myself I wouldn't post anything until I had read the entire thread. Tonight, under the light of the blue moon, I finally caught up and finished all amazing 14000 and counting posts. The amount of knowledge on this thread is staggering. And I have been working on trying to absorb it all.
I'm another neophyte on here who has been 'converted'. I started with hatchery chickens and have really enjoyed them. But I have the breeding bug pretty bad. I've bred fish for years, and now that we've literally 'bought the farm' , I'm ready to start on breeding chickens. I've been casting about far and wide trying to figure out which breed I want to work with, and was admittedly fascinated by some of the new 'it' breeds. But then I got lucky and a few things happened to change my outlook.
I recently attended the 'Seed Savers' conference in Decorah, Iowa. While I was there, I was able to attend presentations by Jeanette Berenger and Alison Martin of the ALBC on the need to preserve Heritage poultry. They talked about the work they had done with Buckeyes to help improve the breed. Around the same time, while browsing through BYC, I came upon this thread and started my journey reading it.
Jeanette and and Alison also told us of the ongoing project that has been started to help bring the Java back, and this has really piqued my interest. I went back home and did as much research as I could on the Java breed of chicken and have decided this is the breed for me. A breed with as much history and relevance as the Java is something I can really get behind.
I currently do not have any Javas myself. I tend to research a subject to death so that I am sure of it, then commit. Although I am ready for the commitment, on this thread I've found some more avenues for research to explore first. I have seen several mentions of Javas on here, and some participants have said they currently are raising them. I have some questions for you.
For those that are raising them, what is your opinion on the current state of the breed today? What are some of the major/well known lines of Javas? Which of those are still in existence? Of the Black or Mottled Javas, which is in more need of help? Or is the need urgent for both? I want to limit myself to one variety, so I can stay focused. And who are the 'Go to' people for info on the breed?
I've got a million other questions, but that should do it for a start. Thanks in advance for any info you may have.