Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[hcammack]

Here are some heritage birds. These are my 3 month old Faverolles Cockerels. The color is still evening out and this splotchiness/ White beard/ spots is normal in young birds. I am excited as these are from a line that will now become very rare as the breeder is not longer breeding these birds. I got some of the last eggs and hatches three males and will be keeping two. I am getting 4-6 pullets from Dick Bourlanger line out of MA and a cross between the males breeder and Dick's line. I will post pictures of those pullets when they arrive. I will also post pictures of the males as they mature. For those who don't know. Faverolles are an old French breed of poultry. They have beard, muff, feathered feet, and a unique type. They were traditionally a duel purpose bird with the females laying a good number of cream colored eggs and the males reaching a good eating size. The show strains of Faverolles in this country have maintained their large size and capability as egg layers and meat birds. They are also very docile and cold hardy with females continueing to lay into the winter. I am just getting started back up with these guys. The bird on the left is currently my first choie as he has a good solid head and a squat thick type. Hope this gets some of you interested in this great breed. I know they are not of American Heritage like the great rocks and reds but they certainly are rare and a good duel purpose bird. I know that I have posted on here before about them just thought I would post again with pictures of my males.

 

[3riverschick]

Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement. I was so nervous when I was typing my post. I confess I felt slightly intimidated but like the true country girl I am I hiked up my boots and jump in with both feet. First step is always the scariest right. Nan

Hi Nan, and welcome to the discussion. Your words remind me of when I first moved to rural western PA from suburban San Diego County, CA 20 years ago.
I got the usual teasing about being the city girl in the country. What they didn't know was my Mom was the daughter of a Midwest grocer, hee, hee. So I hiked up on the mountain and picked the wild black raspberries. Got out my trusty Reader's Digest "Back to Basics" book. Took the Raspberry Jam recipe, made it, entered it and won 1st prize in the County Fair. VVBG. Nobody teased me after that.
Gotta love jumping in with both feet.
Best,
Karen in western PA

 

[3riverschick]

Finally back after1 1/2 weeks offline and changing internet providers. In a couple of days we will no longer be [email protected] We will be [email protected]
Best,
Karen in western PA
MIssed Ya'll!!!

 

[meimalley]

It is a good idea to be prepared.......even if it is a long time in advance. many people here buy the chickens first and then try to figure out what to do.

Walt

As another "lurker", I too have been pondering this for quite awhile. I'm a member of a local chicken group as well, and I found it very frustrating when I person like you described joined our group. (No brooder, no coop plans, no knowledge!) I wanted to encourage her to return her chicks, read up on Storey's guide at the very least, and then start again when she's prepared. Chickens are not goldfish.

 

[3riverschick]

As another "lurker", I too have been pondering this for quite awhile. I'm a member of a local chicken group as well, and I found it very frustrating when I person like you described joined our group. (No brooder, no coop plans, no knowledge!) I wanted to encourage her to return her chicks, read up on Storey's guide at the very least, and then start again when she's prepared. Chickens are not goldfish.

What kind of chicks does she have?
Just invite her to BYC instead.
Karen

 

[ashandvine]

Keep in mind we all start somewhere. Chickens aren't goldfish but some aren't much more. Those folks in here who are serious or experienced aren't talking about 'having a few chickens' for eggs. Breeders, show goers, 'perservationists'... they are serious and keeping chickens in that scenario is a lot different than starting with a few chickens in a coop with some feed and water. I am a learner through reading, listening, looking and trial. (It takes me a lot of ways to cover all the bases.) I started out without knowing it. My gramp kept chickens and I learned by being around him without even knowing I was being taught. Not everyone gets that. Chickens are a fad for some (see my avatar?) and I can only wait to see how that turns out, but there are folks who aren't happy I have my kids out there doing the work-- without supervision sometimes. Well, my chickens don't lay golden eggs and I know they aren't going to go extinct if I let my kids or anyone else give it a try. My chickens aren't going to breed mutants just because I am not able to regurgitate the anatomy of them all in alphabetical order or read the lines of genetic code and then draw you a picture of the resulting animal. (I am working on those two things btw.) All I really mean to say is that they ARE chickens. I don't dismiss the life of any animal easily and imagine that people all mean well, so let those people who dare to learn from trial and error learn their way and you learn yours.

 

[ashandvine]

They are hatchery type Dels.

Walt

The man who sold the eggs will be sad to hear this.

 

[Arielle]

Ashes-- I demand that my kids help with the chores; they learn so much. I have one child that can fel comfortable and even feel better about himself when he can handle a chicken proficiently. School has a way of knocking down kids and I hope that his experience with chickens and the other animals will compensate. Otherwise, I would like my kids to have some understanding of caring for another being; understanding the science of egglaying, the science of medicines and drugs; the food chain in action. My kids don't know any other kids that have livestock, except one boy who lives in another town. My kids talk chickens and no one know what they are talking about. THey are learning on the cheap birds as children and I hope they will understand for a lifetime.

 

[fowlman01]

The man who sold the eggs will be sad to hear this.

Sorry....they are tall and rangy and have lots of problems with type.

Walt

 

[ashandvine]

My kids talk chickens and no one know what they are talking about.

Get them a BYC account! lol That's what I had to do