Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[Hennypen]

It is a requirement to sell to most. But I agree, the birds should be bought on the merits of the breeder and not the lineage. That is just the way it is though

I disagree. In horse breeding it's important to know what is back in the pedigree. It is possible for "a" trait 5 generations back to come out. Same holds true in chicken breeding. If you want to lessen the chance of 'surprises', you find a line that has the same "base line" as your line to put back in. It's important to know the history of a breeders lines. IMO.

 

[Tailfeathers]

Quote:

I disagree. In horse breeding it's important to know what is back in the pedigree. It is possible for "a" trait 5 generations back to come out. Same holds true in chicken breeding. If you want to lessen the chance of 'surprises', you find a line that has the same "base line" as your line to put back in. It's important to know the history of a breeders lines. IMO.

HP, your post is logical. However, I'd add a couple of things. First, you may be confusing "strain" with "line". Secondly, and perhaps even more important, it makes no difference whatsoever whose "line" you get five generations back IF you don't know a whole lot more information.

For example, suppose you get birds from someone who got birds from me five years ago. But they focused on entirely different traits than I have been. Or more importantly, the least of their focus was on traits that are the most important to you and that you've been working on five years with continued improvement. Getting those birds would, in all likelihood, probably set your current status back five years.

This is just another reason why I recommend maintaining a closed flock and linebreeding.

In the interest of saving time, I'm pasting a post from an Anthony Francis on the Welsummers Group. He makes some excellent point which really emphasis much of what's going on today. Here is something he recently said:

"Another problem I see is hobby breeders can be breeders with many
different techniques for all kinds of purpose-I.E.

1.The "quick buck breeders"- They are the buy the lastest (overly) high priced "fad" that they better be quick about producing "stock" to
sell before the bottom falls out breeder. Cull none, sell all, and on to the next! If they take long and breed to serious, they could be
caught holding the bag!

2.The "became a breeder over night breeder"- They are the Buy the most exspensive dozen of eggs and a cheap bator from the hottest line of their preferred breed breeder. I.E.- 150 $ dozen hatching eggs and a 49 $ incubator and what ever hatches out are ALL bench quality breeders! I'm sure its hard to cull from this hatch when so much is spent and all go to the breeding pen brothers and sisters alike!
Faults and all!

3.The "true breeders"- They are the take time to learn breeding tech., breed to the standards, cull heavy, small numbers, keep track, learn the line, take years to improve, ect,ect, breeders!

4.The "kinda nasty breeders"- They are the have decent stock, use somewhat good breeding practices but may have a little sickness which they cant seem to be able to get rid of breeder.

5.The "flock breeders"- They are the as long as they seem to be of right varity within the breed, a flock is made breeder. They may Cull
extreme faults depending on the supply/demand then adjust the size of the flock according with possible all in all out breeding tech. using brothers and sisters generation after generation!

6.The "closed flock breeder" - They are the get what varity of breed their wanting, take the good with the bad, then try breed with the
best of their abilty to get the best they can breeder.

The list can go on and on with even combinations included! and depending on the breeding tech. used by the breeder, they may never
quaify for either term to be properly used.


I might not have said that all the same way but I think he covers the bases pretty well.

God Bless,

 

[heatherscooby77]

Tailfeathers, I just used the white egg thing as an example. So please don't get your tailfeathers ruffled. This is not meant to talk any crap about you or your birds. I understand why you did it, and I would do it to. I read so many pages of content it was the first thing that came to my mind to use for an example.

On another note, the judge is looking at two equally nice hens, and one drops a blue egg, and the other drops a white one, who do you think would win? Regardless of age, stress level, weather, or any other extrinsic or intrinsic factors that my effect egg color.................................

As for comparing it to the black chicken with a white feather being cut out, people do that kind of crap........................and it makes me mad!

I will say sorry for saying that the hen should be dq'ed, that was a strong statement.

I also want to say that I have been raising Ameraucanas for a while now, and I have a few of my own generations. I just recently joined BYC, and the ABC. I found your post to be a bit mean instead of informative.

 

[heatherscooby77]

Hennypen, I have horses too. Pedigree is important.

I bought a splash rooster from Jean. I am so thankful that I was able to purchase him. When I sell his chicks, I would say, the rooster is from Jean. The hens are from my own stock. That is not an advertisement, that is a fact. 5 generations from now, I am not going to say that I have bloodlines from Jean..........................They will be my bloodline.

When I bought the rooster from Jean I had high expectations. I know that Jean has high expectations, and is good at culling. I bought him expecting that he made it as far as he did, and she is selling him to me allowing him to reproduce. He was 4-5 months old.

When I buy any chickens, chicks, or hatching eggs, I hope everybody is trying to do what I am doing, trying to breed to the SOP.

I don't believe in a closed flock. You have to introduce new blood. There are so many things that are effected if you don't.

 

[flower]

A person's perception is very important to the interpretation of whatever they are reading .

Was it ben Franklin or Mark Twain of said. "Only believe half of what you see and none of what you have heard" ie Investigate, use your own sense of knowledge and if you can be insulted or hurt but what your read on the internet, maybe the internet is not a good place for you to be.

 

[heatherscooby77]

Flower thank you for your wise words, I especially like your signature I would also like to say that I hope others read your post as well.

 

[Christie Rhae]

Sorry, but that person was me and you are just wrong. I have taken those birds to a show and, in fact, there was a white egg laying in the pullet's cage when I went around to it after it had been judged. In fact, the judge even commented on how it was one of the best BW pullets he had seen and was a very nice looking bird.

I have been visiting and posting on message boards for 12 years now. (many subjects, not just chickens) I have learned to be very careful about making strong statements online because it is very hard to understand tone of voice or intent in black and white.
I have great respect for your knowledge and experience so please take this as playful ribbing....




Dude...get some O/O in those birds already...

now I will go back to my typical bland, non controversial posts,,,heehee

 

[flower]

Christy Rea what is o and o ? I know that it is not M& M but is it close ?

 

[Christie Rhae]

Christy Rea what is o and o ? I know that it is not M& M but is it close ?

LOL!! blue egg genes

 

[warhorse]

Christy Rea what is o and o ? I know that it is not M& M but is it close ?

Great, thanks.... now I want to go get some M&M's.