Anyone show Barred Rocks?

[Pinenot]

speckledhen-I can completly respect wanting to have a bird closest to standard and get the eggs too. That would be ideal!! I sure would like to see that

We had some RIR that were really nice that we got from Cackle Hatchery. We did buy them for the eggs but they were pretty nice lookin birds!

 

[tx_dane_mom]

Is Cackle a good place to go? Never heard of it before.
Kristi

 

[Pinenot]

If you are interested in the BR bantums, I could sell you some eggs when they start picking up. I havn't sold any before, so I have no idea what I would sell for...I have had a few others want my eggs too, so I need to work up some info. If your interested PM me.

Cackle Hatchery is here in my state, so that is what I choose if I want a production bird for egg laying. My best friend gets 2-300 at a time because she has a HUGE farm. She has a ton of different animals, all pasture raised. Anyway, they are good for egg productions and I think some of their birds are good. I don't know about the BR birds, just the RIR's. If I get a bird for eggs, it is usually a RIR. You can pick the sex you want too.

 

[jeaucamom]

Not sure if this is the right place to ask this, but seems somewhat on topic

As far as getting show quality.... is it anything like human genetics?? I mean, Brad Pitts parents are nothing special to look at. Can really good quality come from two average quality?

 

[speckledhen]

It can, just as mediocre birds can come from show quality parents. Some of my Hawkeye and Lexie's chicks have better barring than either of their parents.

 

[tx_dane_mom]

I, personally, am about to lock up my incubator and swallow the key, atleast until after spring.
If I get anymore birds, they will be ALIVE already. It's worth paying the extra to me. After the hell I've had hatching lately, I just can't stand hatching anymore myself. I need to buy a better bator I think.
Anyhow, here's a question....if the bantams are so much better...couldn't you cross the bantams in with the standards to get the proper pattern & then fix the size???
Kristi

 

[kstaven]

It can be done that way tx dane. But it would mean hatching hundreds to get a few to work with and then years building the size and structure back up so it breeds true. It really is easier to select your large fowl for characteristics and work from there. Still years of work but not as many factors working against you.

 

[tx_dane_mom]

K, and wouldn't it be easier if you partnered up with someone rather than ventured out alone?
Kristi

 

[kstaven]

It is always easier to network with other breeders. But you still end up hatching tons and culling mercilessly to get those few birds that are going to make up your final breeding pool.

Once you introduce bantams into your large fowl lines it will still take years to get your birds to breed back to normal size consistantly.

So many areas where there are just no short cuts.

 

[tx_dane_mom]

All right, looks like I will be ISO the breed club & try & network then

I can't say enough how much I appreciate everyone's help. I will stick w/standards. If I get bantams I really want PRETTY bantams. (Not that BRs are ugly) I just mean the kind w/flowing tails, etc.
Kristi