advice for buying breeding stock at shows

[CityChicker]

Thank you, Geebs! I'm glad to know someone agrees on some level! The thing is that I agree almost entirely with Bob and NYREDS. I am really also just flabbergasted that someone that has been working on their breeding program "since 2008" would say "whatever" to an APA judge with decades of experience. I think it is best though if I bow out of the discussion and bite my tongue or this will continue to head south.

 

[Katy]

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Just wanted to say I appreciate what you had to say too.

 

[CityChicker]

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I thought the original version was pretty much on the money.

Thank you. I did too, but I think it is probably pointless to even "go there". Some of what I see on this forum anymore just stuns me, especially the lack of respect for people that have been doing this for many years and are recognized leaders/experts in the hobby. I really question whether it is worth my time to be here at all anymore.

Editing to add- Thank you, Katy! It looks like we were typing at the same time.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

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This is what I had said

There are lots of quality breeders out there who do not show their birds but do have amazing stock, so what about them, apparently there the cruddy breeders. Whatever

Whatever in the meaning that Im obviously not going to change the way you think, and your not going to change the way that I think.

By the way, I had no clue that NYREDS was an APA judge. No clue whatsoever. I didn't read his sig. until you mentioned this. If that came of as disrespectful to him, I am really sorry for that. I do appreciate what everybody else has to say, but I do not agree with it, that's my right.​

 

[cracked_egg]

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I'm not at all implying that you do not put time and effort into your flock!

I am saying that shows are a way to "prove" your blood lines. I'm saying that it takes more work and sacrifice to show a horse or dog than it does to own one at home. I am saying that I know people who can't really afford to show their stock so they do without other things in order to make the end product more valuable.

I'm also saying as a HORSE breeder that I can rear back and say "oh, my horses are top of the line" or look at a magazine article and say "my horses are better than that" but unless I go to a show and "prove" it, then it is all talk and I'm doing a disservice to my HORSE breeding program.

I don't know enough about chickens to say they are the same, but I do know horses and I do know dogs. I put championship titles on many dogs, and have trained and shown many horses... And these theories hold true for both dogs and horses. The excellent dog that proves itself in both the obedience/agility/or field trial world AND the conformation ring is a wonderful animal to behold and THAT is a proven dog, if a breeder does it over and over again it is a proven blood line... Not saying they haven't sold a LOT of pets to get where they are, but generally the pets are better quality than if they had come from joe blow breeder (due mainly to temperment and the health screenings that GOOD breeders do on their pets).


I am NOT saying this holds true for chickens... I'm not educated enough to make that statement.

 

[Lotsapaints]

cracked_egg you're way ahead of many on this board...I too show horses (my own family's bloodlines I suppose really mine since I've been breeding my own for 30 years) and I still take lessons. I've been riding since before I was hatched. Chickens are no different you must pay your dues before you get anyplace. Perhaps chickens have more hobbyists but I've really seen my APHA horses go south from people just breeding for color from "breeders" which I would call propagators... it doesn't take long to run good horses south and I'm sure it works the same with chickens. Follow your instincts to raise one bird to maturity costs around 100.00 and that's not counting the stock you need to have to get good ones and about 5 years to know if you chose correctly.....way faster and cheaper than horses at least you can eat your culls...I wish you success just remember to have fun

 

[big medicine]

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That little self realization right there puts you way ahead of many folks that post on this site. And speaks volumes on your potential to learn and develop into a quality breeder.

 

[big medicine]

Lotsapaints that is a little spooky, how similar our responces are at the same time.

 

[cracked_egg]

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Is this based on depriciating price of coop and work hrs/labor or just in feed? I'm really curious about the costs involved (you're right, way cheaper than horses! Every year I'm shocked when I do my taxes and see what I've spent on the horse business...) I'm not "cheap" but I am frugal (I think there is a distinct difference). So I like to spend money wisely, skimp where you can to save and NOT skimp where it will cost in the long run...

Anyway, I'd love to hear more input on the costs, and I agree, just like horses, it costs just as much to feed a good quality animal as it does to feed a bad one, might as well get the best you can get so you enjoy feeding it! Lol. (And as a breeder, starting off "cheap" only costs more in the end, lol... Something to do with wasted feed... Lol)

 

[Lotsapaints]

Thanks Big Medicine I'm just starting out too and I've had fun with chickens before with the kids and 4H this time with the internet WOW...I have a SOP (1998) and I knew I didn't want Polish again

I'm just having fun trying to do it right for me. Cracked_egg this isn't a business for me I already have chicken pens and plenty of spare horse stalls since I'm not raising very many horses and not doing outside breeding so I'm just counting feed..not any time or equipment