I agree with what you are saying, relics. I will probably just keep the hens for my utility layer flock. The Gabbard experience was negative all the way around. I have spoken to a couple people about it, but didn't know whether or not I would post about it here, but I want to save other people the headache. I have now of course, after the fact, seen numerous similar complaints. I bought 2 dozen eggs from her at a really hefty penny at that. They arrived actually in great condition with intact air cells. That was about the only positive.
She included ONE extra egg, which to me is cheap beyond belief. I always include at least a few (or more) for every dozen (and honestly, that is typical for how people in the poultry hobby *used* to do business, some still do). Anyway, my first clue something was off was that the eggs varied so drastically in size and color. That, to me, indicates a real lack of selection on the part of the breeder. Some were tiny, tiny little off-white eggs. Others were medium sized light-to-medium brown eggs and basically several sizes and colors in between the two. None of them had even remotely decent color. Out of all of those eggs, only one even developed at all. Now, I know all the risks of shipped eggs. I have been doing this for over 25 years. That said, it is very uncommon for fertile eggs to arrive in good shape with intact air cells and have only 1 out of 2 dozen even begin development. Again, that makes me seriously question her husbandry practices and the vigor of her adult stock.
The one chick that hatched (BTW- the eggs from Paul's were in the same incubator and almost all developed and hatched) was so small and weak. Again, that was really another big strike against them as far as I'm concerned. The vastly different eggs, the almost total lack of development (or fertility), and the scrawny, sickly little chick that didn't resemble a Barnevelder all combined makes me seriously question their husbandry practices and the quality of their breeding stock. Just the egg color and size alone shows me that they are not selecting for anything in particular other than eggs, LOL (and yes, they were all supposed to be large fowl). Never again. I won't be ordering from them any time in the foreseeable future.
I really think that a lot of the problem is that Barnevelders are simply a breed that needs work almost like none other in the US. That said, we won't get anywhere without rigorous culling. I have done this many years and I still have to remind myself of that on occasions like this when so few birds are available and /or even half way decent quality.
e above cockerel and pullet in my hand. For the overhead view and for size comparison, to a human hand.
