Barnevelder breeders lets work together and improve the breed

[pinkchick]

Quote:
Thanks....I knew I would get that mixed up as I wasn't looking at my notes and was going by memory. I am new to Barnies as well haven't done any breeding yet so I don't have it commited to memory like I should. Thank you for correcting that.

 

[tls_ranch]

Quote:
Thanks....I knew I would get that mixed up as I wasn't looking at my notes and was going by memory. I am new to Barnies as well haven't done any breeding yet so I don't have it commited to memory like I should. Thank you for correcting that.

Oh, I almost didn't catch it. I think I've lost half my brain power since having kids. On top of that, I'm kind of dyslexic in general

always saying left for right or yes for no.

 

[cejunes]

My barnie pullet is currently at the North Idaho Fair in Coeur d'Alene. We'll see how she does.

 

[gootziecat]

This may have already been mentioned, but how many eggs per year can one expect from the average Barney hen? Did I not read they were large eggs?

I read somewere, to beware if a Barney hen laid dark eggs as that suggested a cross. If the Barneys are bred to their standard, why wouldn't it possible for the color of the eggs to be what they use to be as well? Or were the only imports into the US a light colored egg line originally?

 

[tls_ranch]

Quote:
My Barnevelder hens came from "show lines". They lay every other day so 3-4 eggs a week. They did take almost a full month off in the heat of July to moult. Currently 4 of my 5 hens are back laying. The 5 hen still has to come out of moult. Her tail looks like a cochin or rumpless

.

3 of my hens have decent colored eggs that are average sized. Not saying they are dark enough, but it's a good start. I wish I could magically combine the 3 hens. One lays a glossy even colored egg, One lays a lighter shelled egg that looks heavily "painted" to a medium dark, and one lays speckled eggs. Now if some day I can get them all in one bird I would be happy.

I don't know if they will ever look like Marans eggs, but again I believe that Barnevelder's eggs should NOT be as dark as today's marans. Would you want the Welsummer's beautiful terra cotta egg to look like chocolate Marans eggs? I think Barnevelders should be a medium dark, rich oxidized brown color.

Here are some quotes that I have read about Barnevelder eggs:

Paul Healy , Tasmania:
"The best eggs were highly glossed, and of a colour which
varied from ochre through to burnt umber, often blending
various shadings of rich red mahogany. It is important to
note that the true Barnevelder egg was not the
duller, dark brown, almost chocolate coloured
product of the French Marans fowl, which
many modern strains of Barnevelder in Europe
and Australia now produce.
The Marans egg is a lovely feature, in its own
right, but the Barnevelder egg must be a predominantly rich,
glowing, vibrant shade of red brown, in some eggs seeming
as though the pigment had been oxidized. Some eggs are
also speckled with darker spots which, by themselves, can
seem to be chocolate in colour."

Barnevelder, BIG, BROWN AND TASTY EGGS

Hans L. Schippers - Amstelveen - Holland

"As well as the conformation of the bird, accurate markings and
colour, the eggs must also be dark drown – the browner the
better."

"It is very important to breed from brown egg layers with a pedigree
achievement of a minimum of 200 dark brown eggs which weigh between
55 - 65 grams per bird per annum as this is also part of its breed
characteristics. "

 

[cejunes]

Just wanted to share here as well... pics are posted under stories and pics of my chickens. My barnvelder pullet took a blue ribbon in the North Idaho Fair in the fancy breed pullet category. I know it may not be a big deal, but it's the first time I've showed any chickens. It made my girls happy too.

 

[SunnyDawn]

Quote:
Congrats!!!

 

[pinkchick]

Quote:
Congratulations!!! That's AWESOME!

 

[peachychick]

Was Mazey Mae Lou the winner? She is a very fancy bird indeed! Congrats

 

[cejunes]

Quote:
Yes, Mazey Mae Lou was the winner. She took blue ribbon for fancy breed pullet.