Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[Pathfinders]

Sorry for the hijack, but I was just discussing "station" with a friend offline.

... And what of a bird that is heavier than the standard calls for; would this bird not naturally have a higher station? Would he then be faulted twice (heavy/high station), or would this be looked at as one thing?

Not necessarily. A heavier bird could have legs just as short as a lighter one, I don't think there's a direct correlation between leg length and weight. They might have thicker legs, but longer isn't necessary for heavier.

And fwiw, I've never seen a judge weigh a Standard Bred bird at a show. They might do that with Seramas (they do all sorts of unusual things with Seramas, IMO), but as a general rule, unless there's a complaint filed, I don't think birds at shows get weighed.

 

[catdaddyfro]

What issue is this, the latest one? (NB: I write a regular bi-monthly column for Backyard Poultry Mag, as part of an agreement with them to permit the ABA to get a free ad every month.) I'll go check my latest issue to see if I can find it, and if I can, I'll scan it.

And DO NOT get me started on what Ideal considers a purebred chicken. Had a long phone chat with the owner several years ago regarding their "Dutch Bantams" (which just flat out aren't), and he told me he considers a bird to be purebred at F5 after being crossed.

Um, no. Sorry, but no.

LOL I just wander what filial generation the Dels(horrendous) I got a couple of years ago from Ideal? Must have been the 1st or 2nd one I'd reckon, or their experimental stage LOL

Jeff

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Sorry for the hijack, but I was just discussing "station" with a friend offline.

I'm curious what folks will say about this - how important is station in poultry? Is it something that's a bit of an "afterthought" so to speak, or are there folks who pay very close attention in their breeding choices to it? If a bird is supposed to posess, say, a medium station and has, instead, a high station, would they be faulted for this at a show? And what of a bird that is heavier than the standard calls for; would this bird not naturally have a higher station? Would he then be faulted twice (heavy/high station), or would this be looked at as one thing?

Wynette....thanks for posting this.

She and I were discussing these pictures this morning of my 7 month old Columbian Plymouth Rocks (NOT great pix, just cell phone shots after I let them out this morning)














Several pictures of the same 4 cockerels. The question we were discussing was "whether they were too large in station/too tall" for the Plymouth Rock standard. NO DOUBT they still have some filling in to do, and they currently range in weight from 8lbs to 9 lbs 2oz. They do look a bit lanky

Now maybe with a few pictures behind the inquiry, someone can help us better answer this question

THANKS

 

[catdaddyfro]

LOL Scott this discussion reminds me of one last year or so when someone asked about the maturity of Plymouth rocks (I think it was some BRs from the Reese stock) and Fred responded with<paraphrasing here> "They'll get right around their 1st birthday" LOL I think you may have to wait a bit still yet I know I'm still not excited about the CR males I got from Ron, but the pullets are showing their stuff already. The boys?, I will wait on till "whenever" LOL

Jeff

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

LOL Scott this discussion reminds me of one last year or so when someone asked about the maturity of Plymouth rocks (I think it was some BRs from the Reese stock) and Fred responded with<paraphrasing here> "They'll get right around their 1st birthday" LOL I think you may have to wait a bit still yet I know I'm still not excited about the CR males I got from Ron, but the pullets are showing their stuff already. The boys?, I will wait on till "whenever" LOL

Jeff

Jeff, If you get over toward Atlanta, lemme know

I am only going to keep 2 of these 4 boys and the other 2 are "not bad at all"....

 

[Fred's Hens]

I wish I would have captured this guy from the front view. Dang. Two day old Nelson Red, bred by JimmyJay54

Sorry for the hijack, but I was just discussing "station" with a friend offline.

I'm curious what folks will say about this - how important is station in poultry? Is it something that's a bit of an "afterthought" so to speak, or are there folks who pay very close attention in their breeding choices to it? If a bird is supposed to posess, say, a medium station and has, instead, a high station, would they be faulted for this at a show? And what of a bird that is heavier than the standard calls for; would this bird not naturally have a higher station? Would he then be faulted twice (heavy/high station), or would this be looked at as one thing?

Here's all I know. I detest a bird without adequate width between the legs. I should be able to at least, at least run my fist between their legs. I dislike a knot or knock knee look on the birds. I don't see them outgrow this. You can spot a poorly stationed bird in the brooder. I've got a couple Reds (Nelsons and Kittle) that are little sumo wrestlers in their look, right from hatch. THAT is what I like. To each their own. I want sumo wrestlers from day one. LOL I 've a photo somewhere here, see If I can find it.

 

[catdaddyfro]

Jeff, If you get over toward Atlanta, lemme know

I am only going to keep 2 of these 4 boys and the other 2 are "not bad at all"....

Yeah I'm not really saying these boys are no good, not meant that way. Its just I'm not started looking too hard at them yet as I know it takes a while for them to get it all together. I'm sure there will be a keeper or two outta these guys, at least something to start me off with. I will be in contact later on with you on more, different. Probly 'bout late winter time as you know that is a good time to ship and rear these youngins in our climate.


Jeff

Ps If I ever remember to get the camera here I will get some of these guys too as I'm supposed to post some of my NH pullets up for Nan on here, me an chicken pics aren't a real good combo for sure.LOL

 

[Wynette]

And fwiw, I've never seen a judge weigh a Standard Bred bird at a show. They might do that with Seramas (they do all sorts of unusual things with Seramas, IMO), but as a general rule, unless there's a complaint filed, I don't think birds at shows get weighed.

Laura, we discussed that a few months back (and I'm sure it's been discussed more than once...

) - they're not weighed at shows. Walt mentioned that a good judge will just KNOW if they're over without the need to weigh them. I do wish there was some sort of way to "qualify" birds by weight prior to shows or something, as it's a big issue - at least with Rocks - but I can't see that ever happening.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Reese/Jwhip/KathyinMo



Here's two cockerels to look at. The one in the center, facing the camera. His legs weren't quite as bad as the photo shows because the click caught him shifting his weight. Nonetheless, he was culled and didn't make the final round of selection.

The other cockerel on the far right is worth noting. Hopefully you can see just nicely he is stationed. We liked this guy enough that he became our Beta, or #2 breeder. His leg stance wasn't the only reason, but it sure helped his chances.

The little cockerel, sort of hiding behind the pullet on the lower left? Look how small he was. But we never lost track of him. He wasn't even in the running for selection until his 10th or 11th month. Then? KaBOOM. He just exploded. I think a lot of folks not used to the way these birds mature might have culled him as a runt.

 

[Wynette]

Here's all I know. I detest a bird without adequate width between the legs. I should be able to at least, at least run my fist between their legs. I dislike a knot or knock knee look on the birds. I don't see them outgrow this. You can spot a poorly stationed bird in the brooder. I've got a couple Reds (Nelsons and Kittle) that are little sumo wrestlers in their look, right from hatch. THAT is what I like. To each their own. I want sumo wrestlers from day one. LOL I 've a photo somewhere here, see If I can find it.

I hear you.

I have a cockerel right now that is from a variety there are very few of. He's got that knock-kneed issue - badly. I SO don't want to use him, but he's my best choice for other reasons. I'm test mating him with my very best-quality hen currently...if the offspring tend to be knock-kneed, I'm throwing in the towel on them as I honestly don't need another hot mess to work on.

ETA: Fred, the cockerel I mention above is like the one in the center of your pic. Only...he's not shifting weight. GADS!