Search results for query: *

Where are you located? I know someone locally here in WA who is looking to sell their flock of Silver Gray, Urch and Horstman stock.

Yeah, I'm done with this thread and probably this forum. It bothers me that there are people that would view a chicken, a piece of food, as the same value of life as a dog, someone's family member. Would you shoot someone's child on your property? Hope some of y'all do well with your birds.

Call him. I believe it's $7 or $8 a chick, there is a price list found by searching for Urch/Turnland Poultry Price List. As far as pictures, just remember, a lot of serious breeders do not have time to go running around taking pictures to please newbies. Duane is Hall of Fame breeder, he...

I would not recommend relying on a cock bird to protect the flock. It's a very "romantic" notion but not very practical. Also keep in mind it is OUR duty to guard our birds, you can't fault other people for not training their dog to leave prey (chickens) alone when they don't own them...

I wish more poultry people had this attitude in general. Breed to the standard (heck there are chicken folk out there that don't own one, which should be a crime!), work on the existing varieties and not get caught up in making all these "new" fad colors. The poultry world in general would be...

Your comment about not having interest in showing is a frequently heard excuse for people that don't believe in breeding to standard. So sorry if I misjudged that, it is a common misconception in certain areas that the standards only apply and matter if you're showing, which is obviously not...

Interest in showing or not, the Standard is what defines the breed. People don't have to like it but they can't ignore it. It's what separates the good breeders from the not so great. I already spoke privately with YHF about it. Probably not a breed thing, just this line or the...

Note: I said culling criteria. I do not like to put up with breeds or lines that do that so I just don't raise them, there are lines of some of the asian game that must be separated at 6 weeks to avoid them from killing one another, you wouldn't want to breed them away from that, but not...

I see no reason why you couldn't select for that. I would not include it on a list of culling criteria because the standard doesn't give a darn about temperament. I think of it as something to be managed, but not selection criteria. I do know a lot of it can be genetic, I have seen all sorts...

Sure, was told that young Dorking get bored easily and even if they have plenty of space sometimes pick when confined. Yes I was saying Cochins could have been problem, they were large fowl but because they feather so much slower (14 weeks and the male still had mostly pin feathers on back and...

Sorry. Didn't mean to clutter up thread.

It's never fighting. Just picking. They've been bloodied by the other birds chasin into a corner and trying to eat their butts off. So don't think it's a stubborn thing as much as the Cochin looks different. Doesn't have covering. And doesn't fight back. No biggie. Got some good advice pm-ed...

Certainly would hope so. 4 half grown birds in a 6'x8' breeding pen that's designed for 5-6 adults? Room isn't the issue. I've got it narrowed down to either mean Dorkings or Cochins are just tasty to other birds. (I've raised Cochins before but they were only large fowl at the time so size...

These were all raised together. 14-15 weeks old now. Never had issues mixing breeds in 20 years. Just trying to pin down if its actually Dorkings causing issue or if it could possibly be anything else, I want to give them a shot but if they're gonna pick on other birds, that doesn't fly around...

Thanks for all the comments. Guess its just unlucky. 3 of the 4 times I've had a bird bloodied this year it was a Cochin that was hurt so maybe that's part of the equation too (so slow feathering compared to others maybe they're picking at pin feathers, it bleeds a little and then they go after...

No idea. Maybe it's just my luck. Like I said prior to this year only time I ever had near this many (and worse) bird on bird violence was with Jersey Giants and everyone says how docile they are too.

So, are Dorkings as a breed known for being real aggressive about picking on other fowl? Or is it just this line that I have? I have had to do more rearranging and isolating and more young birds bloodied this year than almost anytime in the past 20 years (I had one line of Jersey Giants that...

I think that's a very good idea. I know sometimes it's a hassle to keep a couple extras, but I'd rather that hassle than trying to find a replacement. Good thinking getting other locals involved in your breed. Edit: and thank you. Just a dude with a boring retail job with computer access...

Be as strict as you can at all points. Remember, what you'll keep and tolerate is what you'll have. It is better to only keep a few really good ones, than to keep any average ones. That goes triple for the rare breeds. Yes numbers are low, but why propagate non-ideal stock? There's no award...

Bingo. I've seen them. Think there's even a lady in WA that might have one, but the majority of the time people aren't going to be breeding a rare breed in a rare color and not be shooting for standard.