Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[15littlem]

This question goes along with a recent discussion on the Heritage RIR thread about losing Utility to show ability. You may have trouble if you are trying to get current show quality heritage lines up to good meat production. What you should get is Cockerels that are a lot bigger than the pullets. If you want to move onto some that people have been working on for Dual Purpose but are not old heritage lines, one option is the
Konza Prairie Rangers

Konza Prairie Rangers- These are a dual-purpose project I've been working on to produce an exceptional foraging bird for meat production as well as great hens. The birds are often HUGE. I've had males dressing out at 6.5# at 14 weeks, and the pullets lay almost daily at 17+ weeks. These are created to have a minimal or flat comb for cold winter temps. They deal very well with heat and humidity, as well. There isn't a consistent coloration as of yet. This is a friendly, docile, broad-breasted bird. The project consists of Partridge Chantecler, Australian Coronation/Light Sussex, Plymouth Rock, Orpington and Cornish lines. My goal is not yet reached, but I'm continuing to work on it continuously. I am getting an egg 5 days out of 7 from pullets, and I only hatch eggs from the cushion-combed pullets. Older hens are still laying very well, however I have several 2nd year hens who have gone broody. I have sold several sets of eggs, clarifying that the offspring are still occasionally showing a single comb here and there. Coloration is inconsistent and most appear to have a black and white appearance, either like the Delaware, a Columbian or like an incomplete Lakenvelder pattern. Sometimes the partridge comes out and they have a lovely Silver Lacing on the breast. I'm looking for rapid growth coupled with good laying ability and a good foraging behavior for lower feed costs when pastured. This is still a project, so I can't promise anything about the outcome yet. I know they have not had motility issues or any early deaths like the Cornish crosses have, but they aren't ready to process that early, either. I don't intend to move into that class, but want something faster-growing than dual purposes currently available without a large single comb.

These are a project worked on by ChooksChicks.

Another one would be the New Heritage Delawares that kathyinmo is working on.

Ron

Could you read us in on the full details somewhere?

 

[ronott1]

Quote: This is pretty much what I know about them. For the Konza Prarie Rangers, contact chookschicks. She has some for sale here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...e-orp-chantecler-banty-cochins-project-colors

kathyinmo follows this thread so maybe she will respond to the post. You could contact her also.

I am intrigued by both of these projects.

Ron

 

[Robert Blosl]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/image/id/7879994/width/900/height/900/flags/LL

original sire of trio in canada


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/katz0556/ColumbianRocksfromCanadainGeorgia.jpg
Original trio from Canada



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/katz0556/2012 Chickens/CanPullet1.jpg

Female from the original trio last year.
I was looking for some pictures of another breed and found these pictures lost on photo bucket. This will give you a idea what Scott started with and one of the top pullets from this trio. My question do you still have her? Did you use her in your breeding program. The pictures of the males you showed me are they pure Canada? Did you cross any of the Canada birds onto the Powell bird? Beware of shortness of body. Tail spread is nice but not on a Wyandotte length of body.

 

[kathyinmo]

original sire of trio in canada




Original trio from Canada






Female from the original trio last year.
I was looking for some pictures of another breed and found these pictures lost on photo bucket. This will give you a idea what Scott started with and one of the top pullets from this trio. My question do you still have her? Did you use her in your breeding program. The pictures of the males you showed me are they pure Canada? Did you cross any of the Canada birds onto the Powell bird? Beware of shortness of body. Tail spread is nice but not on a Wyandotte length of body.

Scott has come a long way!

 

[Robert Blosl]

I often wonder where you guys come up with these names of chickens. Poor rookies want to get chickens that are hard as can be to raise get or breed. Rookies you need to start slow and small and get a breed that needs help from extinction. Some of these breeds you are talking about are near hatchery level and some are being rebuilt by crossing ect. You better know what you are getting your self into as feed is very costly.

Also, many of you are going to extreams with high egg production or extream meat on these old dual purpose breeds. They are dual purpose not rock cornish mixes. Dual purpose means 180 eggs per pullet year and males who may weigh 8 lbs at ten months of age. Any more than that and you are not breeding them to the dual pupose standard.

I guess its the hatchery thinking that makes rookies want to go in that direction. They are breed to lay lots of eggs for about three years. Standard breed birds are not breed in that direction and never did.

If you follow the standard of perfection you will be pleased with your hard work with your rare breed. If you dont have a standard or dont want to own one stick with the feed store chickens.

Lets get back to talking about breeds that are in need of help not the new breeds people are trying to invent the need to be on the other threads. bob


Thanks kathy you are a great administrater. I tried to get those pictues on the screen and about got my pistil out and either shoot my foot or this monitor. Dont they look pretty????

Rookies why dont you get some of these Coloumbioan Plymouth Rocks. They are very very rare and need help of at least five more people. This is a quality strain that would be perfect for beginners to get started on Also, Scott can help you with your breeding and selection as well as the man who sold him the birds from Canada . Scott does not live far from Tenn.

 

[fowlman01]

I often wonder where you guys come up with these names of chickens. Poor rookies want to get chickens that are hard as can be to raise get or breed. Rookies you need to start slow and small and get a breed that needs help from extinction. Some of these breeds you are talking about are near hatchery level and some are being rebuilt by crossing ect. You better know what you are getting your self into as feed is very costly.

Also, many of you are going to extreams with high egg production or extream meat on these old dual purpose breeds. They are dual purpose not rock cornish mixes. Dual purpose means 180 eggs per pullet year and males who may weigh 8 lbs at ten months of age. Any more than that and you are not breeding them to the dual pupose standard.

I guess its the hatchery thinking that makes rookies want to go in that direction. They are breed to lay lots of eggs for about three years. Standard breed birds are not breed in that direction and never did.

If you follow the standard of perfection you will be pleased with your hard work with your rare breed. If you dont have a standard or dont want to own one stick with the feed store chickens.

Lets get back to talking about breeds that are in need of help not the new breeds people are trying to invent the need to be on the other threads. bob


Thanks kathy you are a great administrater. I tried to get those pictues on the screen and about got my pistil out and either shoot my foot or this monitor. Dont they look pretty????

Rookies why dont you get some of these Coloumbioan Plymouth Rocks. They are very very rare and need help of at least five more people. This is a quality strain that would be perfect for beginners to get started on Also, Scott can help you with your breeding and selection as well as the man who sold him the birds from Canada . Scott does not live far from Tenn.

I agree Bob. There are plenty of breeds that need work and it is not as easy to get a breed in the SOP as some of these folks think it is. If you want a hybrid ..buy it or make it, but don't expect to get it into the Standard. I even have people asking me to change the APA Standards to the British Standards Bob. The Orpington Standard has been the same for 100 years, so I'm not sure what they are finding that needs changing..... especially when they don't know the breed and have been raising chickens for all of one year...don't have a SOP or if they have one don't know how to use it. Newbies like to change things for some reason.

Walt

 

[FOGELLY]

I often wonder where you guys come up with these names of chickens. Poor rookies want to get chickens that are hard as can be to raise get or breed. Rookies you need to start slow and small and get a breed that needs help from extinction. Some of these breeds you are talking about are near hatchery level and some are being rebuilt by crossing ect. You better know what you are getting your self into as feed is very costly.

Also, many of you are going to extreams with high egg production or extream meat on these old dual purpose breeds. They are dual purpose not rock cornish mixes. Dual purpose means 180 eggs per pullet year and males who may weigh 8 lbs at ten months of age. Any more than that and you are not breeding them to the dual pupose standard.

I guess its the hatchery thinking that makes rookies want to go in that direction. They are breed to lay lots of eggs for about three years. Standard breed birds are not breed in that direction and never did.

If you follow the standard of perfection you will be pleased with your hard work with your rare breed. If you dont have a standard or dont want to own one stick with the feed store chickens.

Lets get back to talking about breeds that are in need of help not the new breeds people are trying to invent the need to be on the other threads. bob


Thanks kathy you are a great administrater. I tried to get those pictues on the screen and about got my pistil out and either shoot my foot or this monitor. Dont they look pretty????

Rookies why dont you get some of these Coloumbioan Plymouth Rocks. They are very very rare and need help of at least five more people. This is a quality strain that would be perfect for beginners to get started on Also, Scott can help you with your breeding and selection as well as the man who sold him the birds from Canada . Scott does not live far from Tenn.

Bob,
I agree with alot of your post.
I made some of the same mistakes. There is a difference in collecting breeds and breeding for improvement.
Begginers should pick one or two breeds and work on improving them. Preserving them and sharing them.
When I made that change life became alot easier.
Nothing wrong with having a few other breeds around to look at, but focus on one or two for breeding.
You will be able make marked improvements to your breed. It is that success that will keep you going, see the fruits of your labor is very satisfying.

BTW, Scott's Columbians are nice and well worth helping to preserve. A small flock of them are residing at my place.

They sure look good ranging with my RIR, looks like a picture from 1910's.

Ron

 

[kathyinmo]

Thanks kathy you are a great administrater. I tried to get those pictues on the screen and about got my pistil out and either shoot my foot or this monitor. Dont they look pretty????

No, Bob - I am nothing in administration here on BYC. I am just a BYC member like you, that's all.
"Nothing in moderation," is what my husband says about me - I do nothing in moderation. I always go overboard. My chickens are good examples. I have had way too many breeds. I still do! I do know that I can only focus on one or two breeds for breeding and improvement though. My breeds of choice are Delawares, Barred Rocks, and New Hampshires. All my other chickens are just for variety. Why do I think I need variety? I dunno.....

 

[3riverschick]

I have had way too many breeds. I still do! I do know that I can only focus on one or two breeds for breeding and improvement though. My breeds of choice are Delawares, Barred Rocks, and New Hampshires.
-------------------------
I wish I was a bigger threat, smile. I only have room for 30 adult large fowl, 2 breeding pens and a grow-out pen. So one breed only. How I would love to have two, sigh. However, it does no good to have so many breeds one does not have room to do anything serious with any of them and just ends up ultimatley frustrated with the whole thing. So my chosen breed is Light Sussex . I am sure I will enjoy working with them for the next couple of decades. I want to work on the utitlity qualities. Bringing the breed back to center as regards meat and egg virtues.
It's been said that success needs a large flock. I am an avid student of small flock success. I did it with the collies (max 7 dogs), I know I can do it with the poultry. It just takes a lot more research, planning and skill at culling. I truly believe the ultimate key is knowing the nuances of the breed and being able to incorporate that knowledge into the culling process. Yet, there is one thing the larger flocks will have, that is more to choose from which makes things much easier and perhaps more enjoyable when one starts trimming the flock for excellence. What fun it must be to have 20 dozen chicks to mull over.
Best,
karen

 

[Arielle]

Quote:
I have hatchery silver laced wyandottes. Pretty. Not personable--that's ok. THe color helps disguise them in our wooded area. I like the comb for the climate--less likely to have frost bite. These I got for egg laying. I have not seen any at the shows.

Tell me what you know of the wyandottes.