Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[HallFamilyFarm]

The SPPA promotes both rare and antiquated breeds. Some of these are not in the SOP.

 

[OSUman]

Quote:
Well, I want my work to count for something, to make a difference. I want to feel that I am helping, in the long run, to preserve important genetics.

I'm not someone who gets animals that are the latest trend to try to get rich quick. Just being rare or novel is not why I choose what I do. Besides preserving the genetics, I like breeds that are hardy, easy, and well suited to a small farm.

I get a lot of disparaging comments from local farmers, even my own husband, about why would I raise these strange breeds when there are more productive animals to choose from. If I make an exception for one breed, then I'm selling out. This is just my own feeling about my own operation.

One of the things that I would like to do is to offer "heritage" chickens as a meat bird, for sale. I have a ways to go with the Dorkings and those will be a roasting bird. The Dels mature much faster, tasted great and I can grill them on the BBQ. I don't know if there is another old breed that can compare.
The Cornish X and the Freedom Rangers are faster maturing, so I can't compete with that. They are more cost effective. If the Delaware isn't considered a heritage breed, then it loses the marketing value needed to justify the added cost of feed to raise it.

Kim

Makes sense, the Delaware has a very interesting history in my opinion because it was the predecesor to the current " Cornish X" broilers out there. The genetics are importat because there are no breeds available that have the same genetics anywhere to my knowledge.

Also wanted to say that the APA worked with the ALBC so I doubt they will change the cut off date for Heritage Breeds.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Quote:
Check out Frank Reese Jr's site at http://www.goodshepherdpoultryranch.com and look over his breeds and photos. He chose the Barred Plymouth Rock and the New Hampshire as his chicken breeds. Both are Heritage and Frank does fairly well for himself. If you are buying chicks to raise for meet, egg laying ability is not that important. However, if you are keeping your own breeders, you want birds that will produce lots of eggs, yet still be productive with meat gain.

 

[WallTenters]

Quote:
Well, I want my work to count for something, to make a difference. I want to feel that I am helping, in the long run, to preserve important genetics.

I'm not someone who gets animals that are the latest trend to try to get rich quick. Just being rare or novel is not why I choose what I do. Besides preserving the genetics, I like breeds that are hardy, easy, and well suited to a small farm.

I get a lot of disparaging comments from local farmers, even my own husband, about why would I raise these strange breeds when there are more productive animals to choose from. If I make an exception for one breed, then I'm selling out. This is just my own feeling about my own operation.

One of the things that I would like to do is to offer "heritage" chickens as a meat bird, for sale. I have a ways to go with the Dorkings and those will be a roasting bird. The Dels mature much faster, tasted great and I can grill them on the BBQ. I don't know if there is another old breed that can compare.
The Cornish X and the Freedom Rangers are faster maturing, so I can't compete with that. They are more cost effective. If the Delaware isn't considered a heritage breed, then it loses the marketing value needed to justify the added cost of feed to raise it.

Kim

Don't feel like you're making an exception by selling out. One person can't do it all, better to be great at some things than mediocre at many things. If it takes a hybrid breed to keep your farm afloat, know that is helping the other heritage breeds you are breeding in the meantime. Have you thought about crossing your Dels with maybe a good PR for broilers? This would still be working with two excellent heritage breeds, and might give you a step up from the purebred for the meat birds. You would only need a couple of Rock roosters to keep in the flock, so select the very best in terms of growth and vigor, keep only your best hens, cross these hens in the spring to the rocks for broilers and to your purebred roosters in the fall for purebred stock. It will help pay your hens' feed bill and keep you in business with a great heritage breed.

 

[capayvalleychick]

I appreciate all your comments, thank you.

I prefer good dual purpose chickens and I've been happy with the Delawares, so I'll stick with them. I just got some Braden chicks, and am hoping they will have better type for even improved meat qualities.

How long do the Rocks take to mature to butchering size? I've wondered how they rate as a meat bird, so it's interesting that Walltenters would suggest them as a cross. I can't manage more than 2 chicken breeds effectively at this point.

Kim

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Here is a quick pix update of my Columbian Rocks (LF)....pix taken yesterday.

https://skydrive.live.com/redir.asp...76B0B01228A61131!121&authkey=!ANapVp0tGbAbzPs

 

[oshun55555]

Yard full o' rocks :

Here is a quick pix update of my Columbian Rocks (LF)....pix taken yesterday.

https://skydrive.live.com/redir.asp...76B0B01228A61131!121&authkey=!ANapVp0tGbAbzPs

Great looking birds, I bet your proud of those beauties. I love the Colombian feathering.​

 

[greenriver]

Yard full o' rocks :

Here is a quick pix update of my Columbian Rocks (LF)....pix taken yesterday.

https://skydrive.live.com/redir.asp...76B0B01228A61131!121&authkey=!ANapVp0tGbAbzPs

Nice looking birds. And I like them piney woods too...LOL​

 

[ranlan]

Hello,
I only discovered this thread a few days ago! Is anyone who reads this going to attend the show in Shawnee on 12/10? Would be nice to meet up with some of you. I have White Rocks and Cubalayas.
Randy

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

We will not be able to make the Shawnee show this year. I understand that several BYC members will be going.