Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[Arielle]

Thanks Bob,

I do feel fortunate that there is the BOston Show about 40 minutes from me. They hold 2 show a year. I was able to go twice last year. To look. I found the people to be very nice. People like to talk about their birds and share. I was able to meet Mr Rhodes there; we had talked on the phone about the BUckeys that he has had for some years. ( He lives in the same town as I.)

I was shocked at the size of the buff orpington rooster-- he was a miniature horse! It got me thinking. And asking questions. Trying to figure out how to fit real heritage birds into my farm set up.

Honestly, I purposely bought the hatchery birds; I expected the hatchery birds to be small and almost leghorn like as that is the most efficient egg laying body type.

My goal was egg layers that were NOT white leghorns. I'm a little biased. I grew up in Maine, and we do not eat white shelled eggs. We eat brown shelled eggs. I've broadened my egg colors and now enjoy a variety of egg colors. THe SS clearly had the right body coloring and the apparently the personality/temperament of the SS has come thru and we just love the SS.

Thanks for the advice and consideration.

 

[write2caroline]

This is what I want on my farm... I have posted his picture on other threads but your comments are similar to what I am looking for as well. This is my grandmother, I believe that she lived in Washington State and that this is from their farm somewhere near marysville? or Port Washington. These are huge barred rocks. I think. To me they look more like Orpingtons or Sussex. This photo was taken around 1917-1920 about.

Caroline

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

At Crossroads the Barred Plymouth Rocks were as large as the Orpingtons. In fact, the Plymouth Rocks were all huge!

 

[gjensen]

This is what I want on my farm... I have posted his picture on other threads but your comments are similar to what I am looking for as well. This is my grandmother, I believe that she lived in Washington State and that this is from their farm somewhere near marysville? or Port Washington. These are huge barred rocks. I think. To me they look more like Orpingtons or Sussex. This photo was taken around 1917-1920 about.

Caroline

 

[Arielle]

How much would a big bird like that weigh??? I mean adult weight here--like as a 2 year old?

 

[Robert Blosl]

Males or cockerels may be 9 lbs and the females about 7 lbs. You dont want them to large about a pound over standard weight. The Shaffer barred rocks I saw a few weeks ago look like they are in that range. They should lay a normal 2 1\2 oz egg as a pullet. Big is not always better. However, some like big fluffy chickens its just up to the person who carries the feed bucket. Big sometimes also reduces egg production. Remember the Barred Rock is a dual purpose chicken good eggs, good meat and good looks.

Some one asked a while back about the article on how to breed barred rock color. This is a great article that should get you started.

http://bloslspoutlryfarm.tripod.com/id52.html

 

[Arielle]

One of the things I have learned about sheep is that a big frame doesn't translate into heavy muscling. Has anyone compared breeds based on meat production? I'm referring to the current heritage stock, BR v. buckeye v SS, that sort of thing? Or has breeding for meat traits waned?

 

[NYREDS]

This is what I want on my farm... I have posted his picture on other threads but your comments are similar to what I am looking for as well. This is my grandmother, I believe that she lived in Washington State and that this is from their farm somewhere near marysville? or Port Washington. These are huge barred rocks. I think. To me they look more like Orpingtons or Sussex. This photo was taken around 1917-1920 about.

Caroline

Rocks are bigger than Sussex & only 1/2 lb smaller than Orpingtons. Orpingtons look much bigger as they are more loosely feathered.

 

[NYREDS]

Thank you. Butch uses Minorcas in his breeding program and though I'm sure he has nice birds, I'd rather work with what I have to increase size, even though it may take longer. I appreciate your input though.

Actually using Minorcas to get the size back up on Andalusians is a pretty common practice. The breeds come from the same part of the world & share many common traits.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: Orpingtons are bigger than BR? Holy cow, no wonder that giant Buff Orpington was BIg.