Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[Chris Herzog]

Kathy,

How are your GS-New Hamps coming along and do you have any pics of those?

Chris

 

[catdaddyfro]

Our show season starts at the beginning of Sept and runs through March. My waterfowl are ready for the first few shows and the chickens are ready shortly after that. I also hatch for specific shows. As an example the ABA national will be here in Cali at the end of January. I hatched birds specifically for that show, so I still have a lot of young birds that are growing out. In the east and midwest they have to finish their show season before it starts snowing, so they have a slightly different show season.

For those of you that are new to showing...there is a lot more to it than sticking the bird in the show coop. Timing your birds to be ready for specific shows is also something serious exhibitors do. Each breed matures a bit differently so you need to know about when your bird is going to be at their best. As cgmccary notes there are a number of ways to promote a molt so that the older birds are ready to show.

Walt

Ok and I understand that too, but then another question. Is it worth the effort, or should you concentrate on just showing yearlings(cockerels/pullets), does any of the older stock ever win out is what I'm asking here?

Jeff

 

[Robert Blosl]

I was looking in the computer for some pictures to send the Sectary of the R I Red Club of England for a article I wrote for them and found these lost pictures from six years ago. This is a Paul Hardy Barred Rock Male in the back ground one of the fine strains of Barred Rocks I have ever seen he got sick sold his birds to Superior Farms in Oklahoma half the birds died befor they got there from heat and in three years the strain was gone. Shows you how quick hard work from a master breeder can go up in smoke.

These are three cockerels the male in the center was sent to a fellow in Penn to try to make a strain of Colombian Plymouth Rocks. All the chicks when they came out from the Colombian Plymouth Rock hens where barred. He scratched the project and wanted to get rid of this male. No buddy wanted to pay for shipping. I gave my white rocks to a fellow in Pensacola Florida but needed a good male. I sent a box and money to him to return him back to me. In the first year we had about 35 nice chicks. The next year about 60 chicks and today this male is in the blood of my old white Rock Line. Just about sold out for next year for started chicks. Have two sets of ten chicks left. If you want some let me know. This is one of the last strains of old white rocks left with tight feathers not the common fluffy stuff we are seeing in the shows today.

So for the fellow who asked me three months ago if I had any pictures of my old white rocks from five years ago. Here is your picture. bob

 

[Arielle]

Bob,
Lovely birds, crisp clean white. Well cared for.

Question-- I have been leary of white birds but maybe I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill.

I have hawks and a few coyote and fox, so I have avoided white birds. Do you keep your pened or free range--what works best for these birds?

 

[fowlman01]

Ok and I understand that too, but then another question. Is it worth the effort, or should you concentrate on just showing yearlings(cockerels/pullets), does any of the older stock ever win out is what I'm asking here?

Jeff

Older stock can win and many times do win. If two birds are close in a show the judge is supposed to go with the older bird. Thedragonlady is showing a Silkie that is older than I am and still doing well with it. Generally younger birds look slicker and therefore win more often though. I have had older birds that were competitive for many years.

Walt

 

[capayvalleychick]

Question-- I have been leary of white birds but maybe I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill. I have hawks and a few coyote and fox, so I have avoided white birds.

I hear so many people talk about white birds being at risk of hawks. Is it true or an old wive's tale? I have hawks living right next to chicken areas, flying over all the time. They've never touched my (white) Delawares. I've only had two losses to hawks in 12 years, they were dark colored youngsters.

Kathy, beautiful birds. You are so blessed.

 

[Arielle]

Quote:
I lost one white bird, an easter egger, to a hawk. DH was nearby and just thought it was jumping up in the air ( he was in the horse trailer looking out the window) but a count a bed time revealed one missing pullet, a white one. Others of many colors have been grabbed by coyotes while free ranging.

 

[fowlman01]

I hear so many people talk about white birds being at risk of hawks. Is it true or an old wive's tale? I have hawks living right next to chicken areas, flying over all the time. They've never touched my (white) Delawares. I've only had two losses to hawks in 12 years, they were dark colored youngsters.

Kathy, beautiful birds. You are so blessed.

I don't lose them to hawks either and the hawks have a nest across the street. (Red Tails). Half of my birds are white. When I had pigeons the Coopers hawks would kill the white ones first.

Walt

 

[Robert Blosl]

Its a old wives tail. I have lost more red bantams to hawks. Large fowl I have not lost. I tell you one thing if you have a good line keep them clean breed for true white genes you will win more awards or Trophy's at shows than a colored bird. Also it is the best breed to learn how to breed for type in large fowl. After five years of breeding them you are ready to take on the rest of the old large fowl breeds. If more people did this there would be less people giving up large fowl chickens. They take on the hardest breeds and colors and even a guy with twenty years experience would have problems. bob

 

[Marengoite]

No, I am not selling hatching eggs.

Are you selling chicks? Those are gorgeous birds.

Or perhaps you can direct us to where we might purchase from similar stock as yours if you're not selling?