Barnevelder breeders lets work together and improve the breed

[tls_ranch]

I like that splash cockerel even if there are some obvious issues (loose feathering, overly large wattles, wing carriage a bit low) that you already pointed out, and perhaps also the fact that he seems a bit long in the back with a tail set that is a bit low. I would nonetheless keep him for a breeder, especially since I always place a lot of value on vitality and robustness. His size is another positive factor, along with good lacing on his back. Then again, I never did mess with the blue-laced variety...(only in Wyandottes, years ago, when Lowell and I got them in from The Netherlands).

Thanks I find that I have to wait until cockerels are fully mature like you said to fully evaluate them for pattern, color and tail set. In the past I was ending up with cockerels with way too high of tail sets...almost squirrel tails. I figured out that I was selecting too early for the highest tail sets. The cockerels tend to start out with lower tailsets and slowly raise them as they get older. Now I am more patient to wait for that final tail set. I don't want to cull my self into a corner and end up with a bunch of squirrel tails over 90 degrees etc.

Trisha

 

[Lillahimed]

I am relatively new to chickens and correct me if I'm wrong, but I have been researching Barnevelder's and it seems to me that you could breed the original crosses in order to obtain an old fashioned Barnie. Just my two cents

 

[islandgal99]

I am relatively new to chickens and correct me if I'm wrong, but I have been researching Barnevelder's and it seems to me that you could breed the original crosses in order to obtain an old fashioned Barnie. Just my two cents

Let us know how that works out for you.

 

[tls_ranch]

I am relatively new to chickens and correct me if I'm wrong, but I have been researching Barnevelder's and it seems to me that you could breed the original crosses in order to obtain an old fashioned Barnie. Just my two cents  ​

Well, I guess you could try from scratch. But none of the original breeds laid dark eggs or were double laced. The Dutch worked for years on this. Why go back and start over? You may have already read this, but here is a pretty detailed history of how the breed was developed.


http://www.aviculture-europe.nl/nummers/13E01A03.pdf

Trisha

 

[Lillahimed]

I thinking more about crossing the correct breeds back into today's Barnevelders (such as the Wyandotte for correct lacing) and it was just a thought...

 

[tls_ranch]

I thinking more about crossing the correct breeds back into today's Barnevelders (such as the Wyandotte for correct lacing) and it was just a thought...

The Wyandotte does not have correct lacing. Trust me, I am still dealing with some issues from outcrossing to wyandottes like the dutch breeders did to get get the blues. Dark Cornish is the closest in color genetically and I am still dealing with type issues generations after that cross. Pencilled rocks are close, but again will give you issues. The Barnevelder breed is very hard to out cross with out messing up something.

Trisha

 

[Lillahimed]

Oh well

It was a thought... I really wish we hadn't ruined the breed! I'd love a dark egg laying Barnie

 

[ChickNmamma]

I suggest you read this whole thread from the beginning if you are interested in the Barnies and have not already done so.

It is very informative and has a lot of information you will need to know if you plan on breeding Barnvelders from what we have here in the states. For those of you in Canada, I seem to recall there were some up there - but where they went I don't recall.


TLS Ranch is working on Blue Barnvelders and has very detailed posts on the troubles of outcrossing to Wyandottes and how long she has been working on them. She also details her cross with the Partridge Cornish.

Somebody else is working on Silver Barnies - there are a few good pictures of them - but I think they used Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks because they were trying to get rid of the red. Someone else might have been trying a SLW, I don't recall.

If you want to work on them that is great. I would say get some birds or eggs from TLS Ranch next year after she hatches all she is going to for the year - from what I have seen on this thread she is doing extensive selection to get great looking birds - she has done most of the work for you and it would make a great starting point for your own flock.

Hatchery BVs are not a good place to start because they have already messed them up royally. If you can't get good breeder birds then at least get a really typey boy from good stock to use over those so-so hatchery hens, that would be easier than starting from scratch.

I hatched out 5 BV shipped eggs from "Show Stock" and I have two BV with WHITE skin (and the best patterned lacing) and 3 with great yellow legs and ROTTEN lacing - mossy and no definition.

I may have just a laying pen of them - and not call them Barnvelders. I am going to see what color eggs the girls lay. The white legged boy is going, I might try the yellow legged boy over the white legged girl and keep only the ones with yellow legs and great definition IF she lays a good dark egg. This would be 3 or 4 years before I would even have a trio I would call Barnvelders to start with if I decide to breed from what I have. I may get rid of all of these and go for TLS birds next year - depending on their temperament.

 

[tls_ranch]

Oh well  It was a thought... I really wish we hadn't ruined the breed! I'd love a dark egg laying Barnie

No offense, but I would think the Dutch Barnevelder Club would argue that the Barnevelder breed is not ruined or even rare. The Germans I bet are pretty happy with the way their barnevelders are looking. The Barnevelder is very popular in other countries. We are just limited here in the USA. A series of unfortunate events led to the loss or decline of much of the stock originally imported to the US. Good ones are just harder to find.

Trisha

 

[Lillahimed]

I meant ruined here... If only I won the lottery! Then I could bring the lovelies home