Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[vebyrd36]

Hi,
A lot of it has to do with many newcomers believing they need to use two strains to found their flock. So they get 2 strains and cross them, not understandng how to breed the get. So they breed the F1's together instead of backcrossing them to the appropriate parent, or some other such mistake. Then they sell the get ( before they have had time to understand what they have purchased and/or wrought) to other people claiming the birds are from such and such parent strains. When the get don't pan out because they were incorrectly mated, there are culls running around the fancy , tagged with the top breeders name, thus hurting their reputations. Game, set, and match.

Many times people can be over zealous and so do more harm then good trying to better their birds. Even the people that have been raising birds 20 plus years will step back to ponder what their grand goal is and if they are on the right track to get their. I'm firm believer fresh eyes with knowledge behind them to take a gander at others stock will help the breed in question. Thus, ideally the knowledgeable breeders whom do sell have a great opportunity to share their vast experience with others.

VIVI

 

[melroseladi]

Not everybody that buys/gets quality birds are going to do right by the breed, or follow what the original breeders intent was BUT if you get one, or two, or three people, young or old, that gets and accepts the help of those with more expertise on that breed, then that is just a few more people out there, whether they show or not, that is giving these heritage breeds a fighting chance.

It has to be a two way street in order for these breeds to progress to where they should be. We have to have experienced breeders willing to take the chance, be there to answer questions, help guide the beginner, AND we have to have beginners who are willing to listen to the voice of experience and not be afraid to ask questions and ask for help.

I didn't have the first clue about not bringing in new lines to try and improve a line UNTIL I read the experts on these threads explaining it, explaining how to breed these birds. Now I know so I will follow the voice of experience and knowledge and breed my birds accordingly.

Not all beginners are "juniors". There is a growing number of older people that really want to raise heritage breed poultry to the standards BUT may never have the desire to show their birds. I am one of them and talk to many more just like me.

Penny

 

[vebyrd36]

Not everybody that buys/gets quality birds are going to do right by the breed, or follow what the original breeders intent was BUT if you get one, or two, or three people, young or old, that gets and accepts the help of those with more expertise on that breed, then that is just a few more people out there, whether they show or not, that is giving these heritage breeds a fighting chance.

It has to be a two way street in order for these breeds to progress to where they should be. We have to have experienced breeders willing to take the chance, be there to answer questions, help guide the beginner, AND we have to have beginners who are willing to listen to the voice of experience and not be afraid to ask questions and ask for help.

I didn't have the first clue about not bringing in new lines to try and improve a line UNTIL I read the experts on these threads explaining it, explaining how to breed these birds. Now I know so I will follow the voice of experience and knowledge and breed my birds accordingly.

Not all beginners are "juniors". There is a growing number of older people that really want to raise heritage breed poultry to the standards BUT may never have the desire to show their birds. I am one of them and talk to many more just like me.

Penny

I'm right their with you. I have been raising chickens well over 20 years, but have never shown any. I will show a rooster this year in the Fair if I'm lucky enough to get a nice bird from chick and or eggs this coming year. I have personally found lots of info just waiting to be read and of coarse lots of questions. I'm amazed at the things I cont. to learn about the different breeds. I was speaking to my Dad yesterday we were out looking at the teenage RIR coming up. He asked me what I thought I told him really don't know I'll have to see a little more growth on them. They are looking nice but I will wait and see. I spoke with. Kathy Gleason one of the RIR breeders down here by me and she is very nice. So looking foreword to getting stock from her. VIVI

 

[Bluetick340]

I'm not trying to tell everybody the need to go show their stock. I just see the youth as a way to promote these old heritage breeds. I have students that raise broilers and they see that side of it I wish they could see this side of poultry as well.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Evening all

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Bob, hope you dodged the tornado again!! News footage we saw last night showed the tornado that went through Mobile and it was HUGE.

Weather here was WET, WET, over 3" of rain here on Christmas day. Cold (by suthern standards) with snow flurries and sleet off and on today.

Completed my first hatch of Columbian Rocks the Sunday before Christmas....hatched 18 of the 24 set. Fertility was 100%, but a few pipped and never completely hatched. Breeding pens this year are based on a double mating method (a pen especially for female traits and a pen especially for male traits) and the chicks from the first hatch were amazingly different from each pen. The chicks from the female pen were all solid yellow downed with just a slight bit of grey in a few of them. The chicks from the male pen are much darker with less yellow down, and none of them are solid yellow. Hopefully if type is there, the color in each will be improved this year. Females should be much cleaner backed with less black leaking through and males should have improved hackle and saddle color.

Second hatch is due this coming Sunday, 30 were set, down to 25 after the first candling. Hope to raise 50-60 this year instead of the 120+ from each of the past 2 years.

Packing up to take the boys to the hunting club tomorrow through Sunday. I hope everyone has a happy and prosperous New Year!!

 

[thebirdguy]

It was Al Erquiaga white leghorns I have. A freind from Arkansas got a trio from Al along with a trio of White Wyandotte large fowl from Al for a judge . These White Wyandottes were killers he got a pair of Whites from me when I left Wisconsin 28 years ago that I got from Scott Adams who had the old Wadd Fulerton line from Ohio. These birds did well for about three years and then where given to a couple. They breed them backwards and lost thier size. What a shame.

Its hard to trick Walt he knows his stuff so when he tells you something listen. bob

Bob & Walt, (and anyone else who might know)

I came across this post from this past summer in my ongoing search for Idaho breeders.. was looking for Al Erquiaga information and this came up. Do you know if there is currently anyone in Idaho or Northern Utah that is a serious breeder? I have been looking for someone to work with and learn from but have had no success... I'd appreciate any info that anyone might have..

Thanks!
Shawn

 

[Yellow House Farm]

Bob & Walt, (and anyone else who might know)

I came across this post from this past summer in my ongoing search for Idaho breeders.. was looking for Al Erquiaga information and this came up. Do you know if there is currently anyone in Idaho or Northern Utah that is a serious breeder? I have been looking for someone to work with and learn from but have had no success... I'd appreciate any info that anyone might have..

Thanks!
Shawn

Is there an APA club in Idaho or Utah. If there were, that's where I'd begin.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: THank you for saying this. I had this written as a post and then cleared it. Did n't think it would fly.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: I still think that as long as breeders hold back and do not push their lines a bit and get as many birds as reasonably possible into good hands that the fate of the heritage birds is sealed. If the popularity of poultry is on the rise, why wouldn't this be the opportunity to get folks that are now a little seasoned on hatchery birds hooked on heritage birds. Bob has mentioned that more people are calling him to get connected to good birds. HURRAY!

THis mentality will impede the recovery of these wonderful lines that you and Bob have been trying to preserve. DOesn't any one look at the situation this way?

Just food for thought.

 

[Bluetick340]

It's kinda like the heirloom seeds deal. Yes you can get it. Some people start with orders seed and they start saving and breeding from there. Some people never save a seed one but they like the nostalgia of the taste, color, whatever. But if you want to preserve anything you must share it with other so they to can enjoy it.