Barnevelder breeders lets work together and improve the breed

[AyaBlodgett]

I didn't know about the SOP either until my Grandson joined 4H and had this huge manual of all the chicken breeds and their requirements for being judged. So many different chickens. I don't envy a judge having to know all the characteristics of each breed. But I guess that's why they are the judges and not me!! I do wish we could come to a satisfactory decision about the standard for Barnvelders, but it doesn't look hopeful. If we go back to the Dutch characteristics, the dark chest, that leaves out those who have been working hard to bring in the rusty colored chest with the double lacing, like the English. How do we reconcile these two?? If we go for the lacing on the chest, does that mean we have to outcross with another breed? Or do we spend a whole lot of money and import from England to meet our American Standard of Perfection??

If someone, out there, has successfully bred to the SOP I would sure like to hear about it, and learn how to do this? Aya

 

[Totalcolour]

Hello, well I'm new to Barnvelders. Actually, I'm still waiting for the arrival of my mini "FLOCK". They are coming from a breeder in northern Oregon. Should be "any day now"!

I fell in love with these birds after I got some dark Cornish. I was told then that some folk cross them with the BV's to make a Cornvelder. In WA we sometimes have extreme weather and I like that the Cornish don't have combs to freeze, but then they don't have much under "fluff" to keep them warm. Plus the BV's have such nice eggs and lay better than the Cornish. I really like the predatory look of the Cornish though.

I think my little flock is going to be four pullets and two Cockerels - just so I can have a less inbred family. I'm hoping to learn a lot here - especially with this darned SOP.

I've already learned a lot from just lurking here!

I'll post pics when they arrive.

 

[RachaelS]

Hi Totalcolour, I hope they show up soon. I am down in TX but my Grandma lived on Orcas Island and I think we would go through Puget Sound to get on a ferry to ride out there. I LOVE WA!!!!! It is so majestic. The trees have always amazed me (considering down here if it gets taller than 10 feet we call it a tree LOL).

 

[stoneunhenged]

 

[pickledchicken]

Good looking bird if you ask me but i'm no pro.

 

[tls_ranch]

Paul they are stunning!!! Great pictures too

I think I may have a pullet that looks a lot like your hen. She is more finely laced...almost triple laced on the breast like your imported hen pictured. I'm keeping an eye on her and can't wait until she moults into her adult feathers

. The cockerel looks nice too and I hope he turns out as good as his brothers are looking

Hopefully the egg color the cockerels will pass on will be decent. So far more than 1/2 of the blue pullets from my January hatch have been laying at least as dark as my regular Barnevelders.

Trisha

 

[AyaBlodgett]

Simply gorgeous

 

[Helen in the Desert]

I have the vB line and so far my eggs are light, is that common with this line?

 

[Meg2000000]

Gorgeous!! Wow! Here's one of my 9 week old Barnevelder pullets. They grow so fast!

 

[Helen in the Desert]

My vB roo, notice the eye thingy on his right side, I don;t know if this is from an injury or if he was born that way.
Please be honest, I need to learn. I will also post pics of the 4 vB hens as well so I can get feedback on how they rate - 1st thru 4th - and thier strong points and faults.