Barnevelder breeders lets work together and improve the breed

[southernfiction]

This discussion has taken a curious turn, indeed. I doubt whether most of the Barnevelders in any country, including The Netherlands, Germany, UK, USA, Canada, etc. is of "high" quality, whatever that is supposed to mean exactly. If we're talking about a grade of v or hv in the German evaluation system, very few birds would earn that mark in any breed. Based on what I have seen, the Barnevelders in the USA are generally of pretty good quality, and I remember a few years back when a lady in western Washington state showed me some hens that were exquisite both in shape, size, base color, and markings...in fact, the best I have ever seen. She also showed me the eggs, which were large and very dark, about like a UK utility Welsummer egg. I took down her name and phone number but lost it, which I shall forever regret. I don't recall exactly where she had acquired the birds, but I think it was from imported eggs.
Then about hatchery versus breeder suppliers. Some "breeders" truly do not offer birds of any particular quality; sometimes, I bet, they may be inferior to birds offered by some of the commercial hatcheries. Wholesale judgments of any kind are rarely based in fact. It is certainly possible to start with a flock originating from a commercial hatchery and then breed selectively for desired traits. While it may take a lot of time and require a great deal of patience and insight (let alone meticulous record keeping...), excellent results should eventually be achieved.
A breed is perhaps "ruined" when focus is placed on one particular trait to the detriment of all others, and the resulting birds are all that's available. Conscientious breeders, of whom we have many, normally keep that from happening. A good example in this respect would be the single comb White Leghorn, which may be divided into three groups: 1) utility--production is sole focus, and absolutely no attention is paid to conformation other than the basic (size, color, etc.), so some people would claim those birds to be "ruined;" 2) exhibition--conformation qualities are the total focus, to the exclusion of production qualities [I have had them, with pullets laying fewer than 100 SMALL eggs in their pullet year but stunning to look at--I considered them to be a "ruined" strain and got rid of them]; 3) exhibition/utility combined--the strains that have superior conformation qualities and have yet maintained the production quality [several breeders offer such birds]. As for the Barnevelders, I don't know if there are strains that could be considered "ruined" -- at least I have not heard of any. If anything, I am more concerned with their susceptibility to Marek's than significant problems with type or production. However, but if breeders keep co-operating and sharing experiences, insight, and breeding stock, one would expect great strides toward an improved Barnevelder in general. Looking at what breeders like Trishia have accomplished should be encouraging to us all.
In sum, we should celebrate the positive things we already have available and welcome any contribution toward a more perfect bird, which will always be a work in progress. That is as it has always been and what it should be.

I love your solid, common sense, unsentimental approach that slams no one and teaches gently. Thank you.

 

[RareFeathersFar]

Silver Barnevelder Pullet 3 months

edited by staff

 

[RareFeathersFar]

Silver Barnevelder Roo 3 months

edited by staff

 

[RareFeathersFar]

Blue Silver Barnevelder Cockerel and Pullet - 3 months old


edited by staff

 

[RareFeathersFar]

We have been breeding Barnevelders for 5 years and believe we have some of the best out there! This is our own bloodline.

edited by staff

 

[Lillahimed]

We have been breeding Barnevelders for 5 years and believe we have some of the best out there! This is our own bloodline.

edited by staff

 

[FreeRanging Hen]

Hi, hello from Western Australia.
I think this might be a good point to step in and introduce myself.

We recently discovered the beautiful breed of Barnevelder's. We could only get a few last time and sadly lost all but one over our unusually severe winter.
This means I am on a mission this season to find some more Barnie's so I can start (again) on a breeding line.

Hopefully, come tomorrow we will be the proud carers of a PAIR of Barnies (Hubby is due to pick up a little cockeral for our pullet tomorrow, but it will of course be a few weeks before they will get a chance to meet properly) I would love to find a set of fertile eggs in my country, to increase the chances of having some nice Barnie's to work with.
I have seen some stunning Barnevelder projects happening over the eastern side of Australia and can't wait to see what comes of the breed in the future, especially in my area and state.

I'm slowly getting through this thread from the beginning and gaining some great info, but thought I'd introduce myself now because it might take me a few months to get thrugh it all!
Thanks for sharing all you know about the beautiful Barnevelder, so we novices may do the breed some justice also

 

[Happy Chooks]

Hi, hello from Western Australia.
I think this might be a good point to step in and introduce myself.

We recently discovered the beautiful breed of Barnevelder's. We could only get a few last time and sadly lost all but one over our unusually severe winter.
This means I am on a mission this season to find some more Barnie's so I can start (again) on a breeding line.

Hopefully, come tomorrow we will be the proud carers of a PAIR of Barnies (Hubby is due to pick up a little cockeral for our pullet tomorrow, but it will of course be a few weeks before they will get a chance to meet properly) I would love to find a set of fertile eggs in my country, to increase the chances of having some nice Barnie's to work with.
I have seen some stunning Barnevelder projects happening over the eastern side of Australia and can't wait to see what comes of the breed in the future, especially in my area and state.

I'm slowly getting through this thread from the beginning and gaining some great info, but thought I'd introduce myself now because it might take me a few months to get thrugh it all!
Thanks for sharing all you know about the beautiful Barnevelder, so we novices may do the breed some justice also

Welcome!

 

[Happy Chooks]

This is my favorite cockerel I'm growing out. He is 6 months old.




Showing his beautiful width. And absolutely NO tail fluff..

 

[RachaelS]

Wow, he sure is purdy! No fluff at all!