Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[mschlumb]

 This is correct. It is a label for poultry related products. It does not work as well for the poultry enthusiasts themselves.

 The term has drawn some attention to, and has helped some individuals draw attention to, true pure breed poultry. That is a positive.

 Personally, I would like to see more Buckeyes, Rocks, and Reds put back to work. I wonder how well the idea will work down the road. I imagine that there will be a portion of our population that prefers these products, and will spend more to have it. When you are supporting the ALBC, you are supporting a philisophical ideal. I do support this ideal. Rarely are ideals and reality in the same place though.

 I feel when I support the SPPA, I am supporting the support of old and rare breeds. Not an ideal. The birds themselves. The breeds that need it most. The breeds the average person doesn't have on their list of wants, but still includes the more popular breeds.

 After saying all of this, we should let Bob have his thread back. It has done a lot of good things, and we shouldn't mess with that. I will retire back to lurking like I used to.

 One more thing for Bob. Catalanas are considered a Heritage Breed.

Many good points made on here today about the accuracy of the term "heritage". I guess what we can learn is to not get wrapped up in terms that are really not important. I think we would all agree that nearly all of our breeds of large fowl, bantams, waterfowl, and turkeys are in need of more breeders.

I apologize for getting off topic since we have already discussed this issue. Lets just talk chickens "heritage" or not!!

 

[3riverschick]

I have not had the same experiences others must have. I have found poultry breeders to be a generous bunch. Poultry enthusiasts in general are friendly people. Opinionated maybe, but good people.

There just isn't a lot of people breeding some breeds, and it takes time to learn how to locate them. I have found that when the breeders are located, that they are usually happy to help. Many of them are glad to meet someone that shares a common intersest.

I would say that it is easier now than it has ever been to find what you want. We can't expect everyone to do something for us. Some will, some will not. Sometimes it is just timing.

Maybe it is that it is too easy, and we expect it to always be easy.

If someone gets discouraged trying to source some birds, then I cannot imagine them getting far with them if they did get them.

What I did. I was looking for Golden Salmon Marans at one point. Did a lot of talking to people on-line and keyword surfing archives of old discussion lists in places like BYC, yahoogroups and the old MSN Groups ( thru the wayback machine at http://www.archive.org . Looking for comments, names, geographic locations, anything that would send me further down the road. If I got a name or email address, wuold run them down on the Net till I had an address. Once I had an address, I could get a phone number from the Net or phone company. Then I would call the breeder. I have to say, there were some surprised breeders when i called asking about their birds. No, I was never successful in obtaining GSM which were worthy of founding flock because the folks with those quality birds would not let them go...then I went to Sussex and found success.
Best,
Karen

 

[Arielle]

Quote: This is exactly my point-- how does not sharing ones birds increase the likelihood of continuing the breed or strain or line? As we all know Karen has been patient to get her trio. . . we were all on tender hooks .. . . months went by and finally a ship date was settled on and then changed. . I wait 12 months for a foal to be born . . . . I can wait a year to get good birds. Maybe a breeder doesn't have any stock at the time of inital contact, but I would expect the likely hood of eggs, or chicks, or trio, to become available in the next 6-12 months. Good stock is worth waiting for.

I remember when I wanted a black lab. Many phone calls to local breeders resulted in frustration; alot of junk dogs. THen . . . I called my brother who had picked up an older female retired from breeding after 2 litters. THat led me to call the breeder, Carol. I was short on time as I needed a farm dog asap to protect the farm. SHe did not have any puppes available. SHe did give me three other breeders and the ins and outs of each. Very helpful. I made a few more phone calls. In a week we drove about 16 hours round trip to pick up a 6 month old black lab. He was everything the breeder said. SMall sweet gentle. Great dog for kids. I could never have found this dog without knowing how to find a good breeder.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

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.

Trouble is, if Bob or any of these other breeders that have worked SO hard to establish a quality line pass these on just willy nilly, the result can not only ruin not just the breeder's reputation but the breed in a single generation. Is it really better to destroy the breed slowly just for the sake of "passing it on"?

I will ALWAYS be in the camp that says it behooves the serious breeders to protect their hard work.

 

[gjensen]

This is exactly my point-- how does not sharing ones birds increase the likelihood of continuing the breed or strain or line? As we all know Karen has been patient to get her trio. . . we were all on tender hooks .. . . months went by and finally a ship date was settled on and then changed. . I wait 12 months for a foal to be born . . . . I can wait a year to get good birds. Maybe a breeder doesn't have any stock at the time of inital contact, but I would expect the likely hood of eggs, or chicks, or trio, to become available in the next 6-12 months. Good stock is worth waiting for.

I remember when I wanted a black lab. Many phone calls to local breeders resulted in frustration; alot of junk dogs. THen . . . I called my brother who had picked up an older female retired from breeding after 2 litters. THat led me to call the breeder, Carol. I was short on time as I needed a farm dog asap to protect the farm. SHe did not have any puppes available. SHe did give me three other breeders and the ins and outs of each. Very helpful. I made a few more phone calls. In a week we drove about 16 hours round trip to pick up a 6 month old black lab. He was everything the breeder said. SMall sweet gentle. Great dog for kids. I could never have found this dog without knowing how to find a good breeder.

Arielle, I understand your point. Consider this though. What makes us think that whoever we might be discussing is obligated to anything? It is their birds, their efforts, and their decision. It is their choice.

I make decisions all of the time, that people do not like. Especially my boys, lol. Regardless, I decided and I have that right. That does not reveal a character flaw. It is a personal choice.

Look at this also. Those birds did not fall from heaven. They originated from somewhere, or they created them, whatever. The point is that an option is to take a similar approach that they did to aquire them. They, as an individual is not the end of the road.

 

[gjensen]

What I did. I was looking for Golden Salmon Marans at one point. Did a lot of talking to people on-line and keyword surfing archives of old discussion lists in places like BYC, yahoogroups and the old MSN Groups ( thru the wayback machine at http://www.archive.org . Looking for comments, names, geographic locations, anything that would send me further down the road. If I got a name or email address, wuold run them down on the Net till I had an address. Once I had an address, I could get a phone number from the Net or phone company. Then I would call the breeder. I have to say, there were some surprised breeders when i called asking about their birds. No, I was never successful in obtaining GSM which were worthy of founding flock because the folks with those quality birds would not let them go...then I went to Sussex and found success.
Best,
Karen

Your ability and interest in searching out hard to find birds could be useful. I believe that there are hidden flocks of this and that in an old farmer's back yard, that are still in decent shape.
I think it is useful to know more about what is out there.

 

[Texasmja]

It is each person's right to keep every bird they hatch or however they acquire them. I get that and am in agreement with you if that is what you decide to do. They are yours after all, you own them. But, if the line dies with you than that's all folks, the end. I am of the thinking for myself, that I want people new and old to have access to quality birds, I want my favorite breed to be all over America one day and be common. That's my dream though and I don't expect others to have the same dream as I do. What we have in common is our passion for our individual chosen fowl.

 

[3riverschick]

This is quite possibly the truth. Americans have a love affair with things that are currently in vogue. Trouble is, when the current vogue changes which it surely will then Americans will change too. They are chaff driven by the wind.

Okay, I could do several pages rebutting this but it would not help promote Heritage fowl. So I will close with an admonition to read Daniel Pink's, " A Whole New Mind".
I will find a way to hold my tongue on this topic. It will be tough, but I am not chaff in the wind and can hold my ground.
A deeply insulted American,
Karen

 

[bnjrob]

Never mind. Not worth my time.

 

[NotAFarm]

Quote: Makes me wonder what nationality you are saladin.....

Ditto what Karen said......