Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[Lacy Blues]

Why is it that the blues don't have feathers the width of blacks? I have that issue too. I will keep working on it... I refuse to give up!

 

[BarnGoddess01]

BLUE!

I was thinking the same thing but I'm already "working" with more breeds than I should as a newbie ... but the Langshans definitely have my attention.

 

[Fred's Hens]

While a bantam, THIS is a White Rock. Thanks Britrock!!! Still love this pullet.

If you don't like this bird, you want the OTHER white rock pictured earlier. LOL

 

[mschlumb]

LOL! As you can tell, lacing needs improved, but it is a HUGE improvement on what it was. Now to
get the size back up to par and the feather
width as good as the blacks as well as a tighter back. Still would be a good start for

 

What do you mean by a tighter back? Just curious

 

[Pozees]

This last discussion (Langshans) leads to a question that may be obvious to some, but not to me.

How many subscribers/readers have breeds they want partners in? How many want a foot in the door for *any* breed discussed on these pages? Is it possible this thread could facilitate creating/developing some new breeders by having those with established flocks seeking to broaden the reach of their lines, say so, allowing others with no particular breed in mind but a general interest in helping perpetuate heritage or old-fashioned breeds to provide this sort of opportunity?

I realize it takes more than just an offer and an acceptance, as many here have years, if not decades, in improving their breeds, and are not going to distribute them willy nilly, but I suspect some culls could be legitimate flock starters for someone who until now has had only hatchery birds and knows better birds are out there. Many may feel they aren't worthy compared to those of you who attend shows and win fairly regularly, or those who speak freely of renowned breeders whose stock you started with or are continuing, but *you* are now those breeders of renown upon whom we depend to drive interest in, and knowledge of, the breeds you know so well, the lines you have created and continued and lovingly selected for each year's best.

I am having a difficult time summarizing my thoughts, but I think many, or at least some, here are not so much interested in showing as they are in promoting and preserving breeds which contributed to the survival of our forebears, gaining a sense of not just keeping chickens but *keeping* chickens. Those who are interested in showing are a bonus. As long as they heed your advice and instruction regarding flock management and selection, you have a way to double the impact of the lines you are developing, to multiply the possibilities of it simply by virtue of being able to see the offspring of those you think iffy but which may have a trait you later need.

Just my random thoughts

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

I'm sure it's just the way I am saying it. I say "tighter back" and mean a back that appears shorter. The birds have a long back but unlike most Asiatic breeds, the hackle feathers extend into the back and the saddle feathers are "tighter" fitting to the back of the bird. That coupled with the upright carriage a Langshan should have (she shows it but I am looking for a "bit" more) will give the effect of a short back.

She lacks that "tight" look and part of that is because of her lesser width of feather. She doesn't look "complete" like a black bird. I would also like to see a bit more curvature at the saddle part of her back but that will come. Already the next generation is showing some excellent promise in the tail angle, tail width and feather width of feather.

No idea why the blue birds tend to have the poor feather width. I know when I was at Superior Farms they had some of the best Andalusians I had ever seen. One thing that caught my eye was the wide feathers they had. It was amazing.

Another thing I wish I had asked Forrest when I could have!

Barngoddess, I'll tell you something a wise, stubborn man once told me: "You can't go wrong with a Langshan."

 

[mschlumb]

This last discussion (Langshans) leads to a question that may be obvious to some, but not to me. 

How many subscribers/readers have breeds they want partners in?  How many want a foot in the door for *any* breed discussed on these pages?  Is it possible this thread could facilitate creating/developing some new breeders by having those with established flocks seeking to broaden the reach of their lines, say so, allowing others with no particular breed in mind but a general interest in helping perpetuate heritage or old-fashioned breeds to provide this sort of opportunity? 

I realize it takes more than just an offer and an acceptance, as many here have years, if not decades, in improving their breeds, and are not going to distribute them willy nilly, but I suspect some culls could be legitimate flock starters for someone who until now has had only hatchery birds and knows better birds are out there.  Many may feel they aren't worthy compared to those of you who attend shows and win fairly regularly, or those who speak freely of renowned breeders whose stock you started with or are continuing, but *you* are now those breeders of renown upon whom we depend to drive interest in, and knowledge of, the breeds you know so well, the lines you have created and continued and lovingly selected for each year's best.

I am having a difficult time summarizing my thoughts, but I think many, or at least some, here are not so much interested in showing as they are in promoting and preserving breeds which contributed to the survival of our forebears, gaining a sense of not just keeping chickens but *keeping* chickens.  Those who are interested in showing are a bonus.  As long as they heed your advice and instruction regarding flock management and selection, you have a way to double the impact of the lines you are developing, to multiply the possibilities of it simply by virtue of being able to see the offspring of those you think iffy but which may have a trait you later need.

Just my random thoughts

I like the idea. Some people who are not set up to really breed birds or who don't want to breed them, can still be valuable in keeping them.
And as you suggested is a good way to get someone involved in standard-bred poultry, who is not sure what breed they want.
They could also keep a large flock mating selected by the breeder and the breeder can just save some of the eggs for hatching and everything else produced from the flock could go to the keeper. Of course financing feed for the flock and a "contract" so to speak would have to be hashed out.
Imagine if all the little farmyard and backyard flocks were replaced with good standard-bred stock!
Again just a thought.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

This last discussion (Langshans) leads to a question that may be obvious to some, but not to me.

How many subscribers/readers have breeds they want partners in? How many want a foot in the door for *any* breed discussed on these pages? Is it possible this thread could facilitate creating/developing some new breeders by having those with established flocks seeking to broaden the reach of their lines, say so, allowing others with no particular breed in mind but a general interest in helping perpetuate heritage or old-fashioned breeds to provide this sort of opportunity?

I realize it takes more than just an offer and an acceptance, as many here have years, if not decades, in improving their breeds, and are not going to distribute them willy nilly, but I suspect some culls could be legitimate flock starters for someone who until now has had only hatchery birds and knows better birds are out there. Many may feel they aren't worthy compared to those of you who attend shows and win fairly regularly, or those who speak freely of renowned breeders whose stock you started with or are continuing, but *you* are now those breeders of renown upon whom we depend to drive interest in, and knowledge of, the breeds you know so well, the lines you have created and continued and lovingly selected for each year's best.

I am having a difficult time summarizing my thoughts, but I think many, or at least some, here are not so much interested in showing as they are in promoting and preserving breeds which contributed to the survival of our forebears, gaining a sense of not just keeping chickens but *keeping* chickens. Those who are interested in showing are a bonus. As long as they heed your advice and instruction regarding flock management and selection, you have a way to double the impact of the lines you are developing, to multiply the possibilities of it simply by virtue of being able to see the offspring of those you think iffy but which may have a trait you later need.

Just my random thoughts

Your thoughts are very clear to me. You did very well summarizing them. I'm actually aware of a couple of people doing exactly what you propose, raising (and showing) birds for someone else/in someone else's line - and VERY happy doing it. In my case, I jumped in on my own and was well populated with birds before anybody that knew what they were doing had a chance to chime in so I'm digging out slowly - but I'm not entirely regretting the process because I got lucky. I got a pretty decent start with birds and chickens are chickens, so it seems, so I can take advice from many quarters. Got some great folks advising me at this point even if my breeds are on the edge. Thus, I'm here.

Barngoddess, I'll tell you something a wise, stubborn man once told me: "You can't go wrong with a Langshan."

You AREN'T helping. I've been drooling over Langshans since my first poultry show .... <sigh>

 

[mschlumb]

...

I'm sure it's just the way I am saying it. I say "tighter back" and mean a back that appears shorter. The birds have a long back but unlike most Asiatic breeds, the hackle feathers extend into the back and the saddle feathers are "tighter" fitting to the back of the bird. That coupled with the upright carriage a Langshan should have (she shows it but I am looking for a "bit" more) will give the effect of a short back.

She lacks that "tight" look and part of that is because of her lesser width of feather. She doesn't look "complete" like a black bird. I would also like to see a bit more curvature at the saddle part of her back but that will come. Already the next generation is showing some excellent promise in the tail angle, tail width and feather width of feather.

No idea why the blue birds tend to have the poor feather width. I know when I was at Superior Farms they had some of the best Andalusians I had ever seen. One thing that caught my eye was the wide feathers they had. It was amazing.

Another thing I wish I had asked Forrest when I could have!

Barngoddess, I'll tell you something a wise, stubborn man once told me: "You can't go wrong with a Langshan."
[/quote




Ok thanks for the explanation, I can see what you mean now.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

You AREN'T helping. I've been drooling over Langshans since my first poultry show .... <sigh>

You could always give them a try! You're not that far away from me and Lord knows that there needs to be a bigger Langshan representation up this way.