Barnevelder breeders lets work together and improve the breed

[Piet]

Aren't eggs or meat, the only thing to get excited about with chickens

Otherwise they are just pretty pets. However, they are not as loving as a cat or loyal and protective as dog.

Exactly!. Plus, for an exhibition breeder there is more than just 1 challenge that makes breeding interesting. When good production of good size dark eggs is established in your line, you look at further things to improve. Health, vigor and fertility are always priority and are things you can/should select for. It just seems to me that most people here really only focus on egg color, when egg size and production are even more important for the Barnevelder. Or at least that has always been the intention for the Barnevelder.
Also, SOP bred birds that produce DO exist!

Piet

 

[RachaelS]

Also, SOP bred birds that produce DO exist!

Piet

What is DO? In my head it is "Desired Outcome", but am pretty sure that is not what it means

 

[Piet]

Do..

 

[pysankigirl]

LOL

 

[RachaelS]

Do..

LOL, I was reading is as "that produce DO"

 

[poultch]

Thats good color on our Barnie eggs and your marans eggs. Nice job Donna.
.............

Andy

same from me too, Nice work!

PS, great job Andy on your silvers, looking really good!

 

[poultch]

..... It just seems to me that most people here really only focus on egg color, when egg size and production are even more important for the Barnevelder. Or at least that has always been the intention for the Barnevelder.
...

I would argue that the egg colour is what gave rise to the popularity of the breed in the first instance,
the amount of eggs and egg weight was a producer driven trait so that the sum total of premiums achieved were maximised, and these premiums were only for the dark eggs with the distinctive bloom, so without that - there's no increased popularity

So I think people are quite reasonable to select for egg colour in their Barnies

 

[Piet]

I would argue that the egg colour is what gave rise to the popularity of the breed in the first instance,
the amount of eggs and egg weight was a producer driven trait so that the sum total of premiums achieved were maximised, and these premiums were only for the dark eggs with the distinctive bloom, so without that - there's no increased popularity

So I think people are quite reasonable to select for egg colour in their Barnies

Poultch, that is not what I meant to say, I meant to say, that there is much more to breeding a Barnevelder than just selecting for egg color. That is the easy part.
The Barnevelder has a written standard that it needs to fit in order to be called a Barnevelder, egg color should not be neglected that is just obvious.
You can read more on the history on this page: http://www.barnevelderclub.us/history.html
Piet

 

[Redcap]

Not to forget the egg weight. My large silver strain which is based on bantams lay just around 50 gram ... and it seems that the most Barnies have lost regarding to that trait.
The posted eggs don't look very big. Decades ago they were famous for eggs over 70 grams.

 

[scopechick]

So we are going to Holland at the end of August for a family visit. I would love to visit some Barnevelder breeders while there. Anyone on this thread living in the Netherlands?