Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[AletaG]

Sorry I know this was posted 2 weeks ago, but I'm really behind on this thread. The Good Shepard Barred Rocks make an excellent meat bird without the crowing. They mature slowly but get nice and big and mine did not start to crow until they were at least 6 months old and by that time, they were plenty big to butcher. Heck, I butchered a 4-month old not too long ago and he dressed out at over 4 pounds.

Thanks Marcy! I'm going to do some homework with a gentleman a bit N of me who uses Delawares in a similar project as what I'm considering. I will do some homework on the GSBR? The slow onset of noise would help a lot, 'could keep 20 males around instead of just culling down to hens.

'ppreciate it! -AG

 

[Extra Java]

YOU got to remember back then in the 1920 the barred rocks and white rocks are nothing in my view that wee have today. You can not take every thing to the bank on what they wrote with what they had to work with. It was not till the 1930 that rocks and reds made the big turn for type and color. It was really in the 1940s and 50s when they where getting birds in the 95 point range. We have gone up and down over the years but we are holding our own with some strains today and if we can teach people how to become breeders and use the standard of perfection in five to ten years we will be in good stable shape Some breeds of large fowl are in the gutter. So far down its almost impossible to bring back up to 93 to 94 points. That's why its important to pick a color that has a chance and not look at the pictures of a perfect bird then order some eggs or chicks and raise them up and be super disappointed.

To get rid of cushions you got to get rid of the traits or blood that produces them. That's the Asiatic blood. Putting intense breeding pressure on these areas will bring them back in about five years.

Then you will have the classic Java or Rock look yu wont. If you have these faults and can not get them out of your line there is nothing wrong in getting new stock from a breeder who does not have it and abort what you started with and move on with his line. Most people want to cross the correct type rocks or Javas or what ever onto their contaminated line and then you still have the faults plus more.

This was exactly what I needed to hear re: changing lines instead of crossing them (problems will remain). It was difficult to abandon my breeding project but it was frustrating hatching out hundreds and not getting anywhere. I've been keeping 3 separate/different lines (same breed) and familiarized myself with the problems in each. I now know which line I'm keeping. It's hard to start over but it will save time and headaches in the long run! I only have 2 hens and 2 roos of the good stock but will create multiple pens/lines for diversity. It's difficult to work with breeds that are scarce and good stock is hard to find.

Again...thank you Bob Blosl

 

[Apdeb]

Bob i would like to hear your opinion on the lines of barnevelder
Since no one up here where i live is really showing them according to judge blash
I met him in litchfield at the livingston ripley center. He said he judges all over northeast and only saw a barnie at the durham ct fair

 

[Texasmja]

Speaking of the Columbian pattern related to under color. Is this something we can cull for at hatching? I have chicks that vary from almost all white to a dark grey all over. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. (I am referring to standard Wyandottes)

 

[NanaKat]

The Columbian chick in my avatar became the nicest pullet (only pullet) saved last year. I did not take as many chick pictures this year ...would have been a daunting task.

 

[Robert Blosl]

Speaking of the Columbian pattern related to under color. Is this something we can cull for at hatching? I have chicks that vary from almost all white to a dark grey all over. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. (I am referring to standard Wyandottes)

I am not a expert on this breed I don't know if I have even seen any at the shows. Walt would be a good one to help you on this as he judges them when he goes to shows and also sees them where ever they may be at shows.

I am a American Class guy my eyes are pretty narrow and those red chickens are all I really think about every day any way.

In regards to culling chicks with down color. I never done it and don't know anyone who has. Most folks have to wait till the chicks are about four months old and the adult primary feathers start coming out to make a smart culling decision. You just want them to grow and try to get two good males and three good females farm the rest out that are second team to some one and or eat the rest.

I will tell you a story about a lady who had twenty R I Red ckls that had smut in their backs so bad she took them to a friends house to raise for her. They had type that would make you fall to your knees. She came back in the late fall befor a big winter show and looked at these super males. They looked like peas in a pod. She caught them and looked at their under color and they where pure clean. The best male there won champion of the show at this winter show in the 1950s over 1000 large fowl entered.

She learned sometimes the birds have absorption power to hold this sum and this is also a feeder for dark even color and of course the dark black bing cherry quill color that tells you have the power of stay Red color on your older birds. Be patient.

You can not rush into this stuff. Don't kill a good bird until you have given him a chance to see what he will look like. Also, just because he is weak or to strong in that area. You go out and find a mate that compensates for his or her faults. Then the chicks the next year may be right on the money. What do you think these super star breeders did when they sold all their top birds to the money trophy chasers. They took what was left put the mattings to gather with second and third string birds and next year. Champions where on the ground for the money point chasers to buy. The money point chasers last about three years and they never become breeders or Preservationists like you guys might become.
KISS

 

[Texasmja]

Thank you Bob and Kathryn. I always look forward to reading this thread, it has the best conglomeration of people I have had the pleasure to follow on the internet. The stories and wealth of sharing is priceless. I will keep plugging away and soaking up all the information available. God bless, Melissa.

 

[catdaddyfro]

I am not a expert on this breed I don't know if I have even seen any at the shows. Walt would be a good one to help you on this as he judges them when he goes to shows and also sees them where ever they may be at shows.

I am a American Class guy my eyes are pretty narrow and those red chickens are all I really think about every day any way.

In regards to culling chicks with down color. I never done it and don't know anyone who has. Most folks have to wait till the chicks are about four months old and the adult primary feathers start coming out to make a smart culling decision. You just want them to grow and try to get two good males and three good females farm the rest out that are second team to some one and or eat the rest.

I will tell you a story about a lady who had twenty R I Red ckls that had smut in their backs so bad she took them to a friends house to raise for her. They had type that would make you fall to your knees. She came back in the late fall befor a big winter show and looked at these super males. They looked like peas in a pod. She caught them and looked at their under color and they where pure clean. The best male there won champion of the show at this winter show in the 1950s over 1000 large fowl entered.

She learned sometimes the birds have absorption power to hold this sum and this is also a feeder for dark even color and of course the dark black bing cherry quill color that tells you have the power of stay Red color on your older birds. Be patient.

You can not rush into this stuff. Don't kill a good bird until you have given him a chance to see what he will look like. Also, just because he is weak or to strong in that area. You go out and find a mate that compensates for his or her faults. Then the chicks the next year may be right on the money. What do you think these super star breeders did when they sold all their top birds to the money trophy chasers. They took what was left put the mattings to gather with second and third string birds and next year. Champions where on the ground for the money point chasers to buy. The money point chasers last about three years and they never become breeders or Preservationists like you guys might become.
KISS

Very good info here too, this can be related to the subject of buying that show winner and taking it home and breeding that dude or hen and expecting to get some just like it, you might, but more than likely not. You have to "create" those show winners and that is where good breeders and breeding knowledge comes in.

Jeff

 

[cbnovick]

Very good info here too, this can be related to the subject of buying that show winner and taking it home and breeding that dude or hen and expecting to get some just like it, you might, but more than likely not. You have to "create" those show winners and that is where good breeders and breeding knowledge comes in.

Jeff

Jeff and Bob...both good 'take away' posts!

I sat and watched my 11 Buff Rocks at almost 7 weeks yesterday...caught up my keepers...tagged them...had a gal who lives about 90 minutes from come get some to grow out and breed from next year.

Here's the Buffs at 7 weeks...kept my 1 and 2 male picks along with 3 nice pullet chicks.

Here they are...

 

[thedragonlady]

Jeff and Bob...both good 'take away' posts!

I sat and watched my 11 Buff Rocks at almost 7 weeks yesterday...caught up my keepers...tagged them...had a gal who lives about 90 minutes from come get some to grow out and breed from next year.

Here's the Buffs at 7 weeks...kept my 1 and 2 male picks along with 3 nice pullet chicks.

Here they are...

They are looking good Cindy !