Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[NotAFarm]

1. I go through each box of chicks. I toe punch each chick I'm going to reserve and apply a wing band. In my journal, I draw two chicken feet showing in between the toes the toe-punch for the box in question. Then for that toe-punch I write the code for the breed. Then, I write the number of chicks hatched, the number of chicks retained, and then I write the number range of the wing bands used for that group.
2. I keep a running total at the bottom of each page of the numbers hatched and retained up to that week so that at every week I have an overview of the hatching season thus far..

Would you please explain the reserve and retained above? I am assuming (and we all know that is usually a mistake) that you do an initial "sort" and that some chicks don't pass muster. What is it you are looking for if that is the case?

 

[Yellow House Farm]

Well every once in a while a fluke shows up that's a definite--no questions asked--kind of cull, i.e. weakness and lack of thrift, missing toes, extra toes, color sport, etc... Some breeds reveal much on day one, most don't. Still, if something's a cull, cull it. There's no sense in having persist to either spread disease or compete for food and floor space when there's no hope of having it be a breeder.

 

[Lacy Blues]

Ditto. We use toe-punching for clan of origin, but wing bands for each individual bird.

We always set on Sundays. I keep a journal for each season.

1. On any given set day, I open up to a clean page and write the date at the top of the page. I write the date of the 18th day of incubation so that I remember to move those eggs to the hatcher on time, and I write the 21st day on which I expect the hatch to begin.
2. I list by breed the number of eggs being set per clan.
3. The following Sunday, I candle the eggs to check for fertility, which allows me to keep track of the individual pens.
4. 18 days into it, I candle again, and the eggs move to the hatcher.
5. On the 23rd day, I open the hatcher up and remove one tray at a time. I have sorting boxes all set up per breed and toe-punch/clan to which I allocate all the chicks.
6. I go through each box of chicks. I toe punch each chick I'm going to reserve and apply a wing band. In my journal, I draw two chicken feet showing in between the toes the toe-punch for the box in question. Then for that toe-punch I write the code for the breed. Then, I write the number of chicks hatched, the number of chicks retained, and then I write the number range of the wing bands used for that group.
7. I keep a running total at the bottom of each page of the numbers hatched and retained up to that week so that at every week I have an overview of the hatching season thus far..
8. Later on when I want to assess birds, I go out th evening before with a head-lamp with a red lamp, and I catch up all the birds checking toe-unch and wingband, which then tlls me their breedings and age. The next day their all boxed up and ready to be assessed in the light, and I know exactly who's who and where.

Thank you very much for this run-down. That will help me get some good ideas going for "filing" always hated filing when I worked in an office. But, I suppose its a necessary evil when it comes to breeding and keeping records. Used to be so much easier...

 

[NotAFarm]

Well every once in a while a fluke shows up that's a definite--no questions asked--kind of cull, i.e. weakness and lack of thrift, missing toes, extra toes, color sport, etc... Some breeds reveal much on day one, most don't. Still, if something's a cull, cull it. There's no sense in having persist to either spread disease or compete for food and floor space when there's no hope of having it be a breeder.

Thank you, that is what I thought. With Dorkings, the toe count would be an obvious cull. Regarding color sports, do you ever keep these to see if a recessive colored, silver gray or red would show up?

Any chance you could scan one of your journal pages and post it for us?

 

[Rachel'sFlock]

Bruce Sherman, the Ausssie breeder will be at the Stockton show.

Walt

Thank you, Walt!
It was Mr Sherman I spoke to last night about his last breeding pair.
I am not in a position to buy that pair at the moment, but I asked him to keep an eye out for some nice BAs from OR, and let me know if he sees some. He said he sure would.
What a nice guy!

Walt, do you have any opinion on Duane Urch 'Lorps? Surely you must have seen some in your time judging. He charges $3 an egg (for 11 or more- I am going to order 12) and I know that is a crap-shoot, with shipping across the states. I am just hoping to get some thoughts on his birds before I make an investment in eggs that may or may not hatch. He also ships chicks, but has a 25 chick min. and that is more than I need.
Just hoping for some feedback.
Thanks, again!

 

[Yellow House Farm]

It's cool, though, because at the end of the season you can "run your numbers". You can check all number of thngs from fertility, to hatchablity, combs, sports, vigor, toes, etc... You can weigh them all and follow weight gain for each individual in light of its clan; you cen watch egg production, etc...

 

[Rachel'sFlock]

I know of a few Oregon/Washington people going to Stockton who might be able to bring them home for you if he was going to that show. PM me, I'm out for most of the day but will get back to you this evening.

Thank you so much, Zanna!
I am not going to be able to buy that pair, but I really appreciate the opportunity to have you help me in this way.
I am so touched by the willingness to help out a newbie to the heritage breeds I find on this thread!
Thanks, again!

 

[Yellow House Farm]

Thank you, Walt!
It was Mr Sherman I spoke to last night about his last breeding pair.
I am not in a position to buy that pair at the moment, but I asked him to keep an eye out for some nice BAs from OR, and let me know if he sees some. He said he sure would.
What a nice guy!

Walt, do you have any opinion on Duane Urch 'Lorps? Surely you must have seen some in your time judging. He charges $3 an egg (for 11 or more- I am going to order 12) and I know that is a crap-shoot, with shipping across the states. I am just hoping to get some thoughts on his birds before I make an investment in eggs that may or may not hatch. He also ships chicks, but has a 25 chick min. and that is more than I need.
Just hoping for some feedback.
Thanks, again!

I don't know if the Judge Jackie Koedatich ships, but she has the best Austrlorps in New England.

 

[Lacy Blues]

Thank you so much, Zanna!
I am not going to be able to buy that pair, but I really appreciate the opportunity to have you help me in this way.
I am so touched by the willingness to help out a newbie to the heritage breeds I find on this thread!
Thanks, again!

Bruce has been raising Australorps for many years. There probably are a variety of people in the area that have some of his birds and very well may have some birds to sell at this show. If you have a price limit you are willing to invest, I'm sure someone driving back to your area would be willing to pick some up for you. I'd be willing to bet that Bruce would even take a look at potential birds for you there. I won't be driving to Oregon but I know Bruce and could ask him to do this for you if this is something you want to try to do.

 

[Rachel'sFlock]

I have a friend who has some super Black Austrolorps. He might be able to ship you some started chicks about ten days olds. I dont know if he has enough birds to fool with eggs. By the time you get two dozen you may only hatch four or five. They are top strains in the USA. The URCH bird you got to figure out you got to order so many as a minimum order vs ten started chicks.

I like getting or selling started chicks. At least the beginner has a start for the following breeding season and then you can get some more in four or five years for new blood from the same breeder. They are a very good breed and are considered a breed that we call H on this thread.

Keep up the good questions. Lurkers are you enjoying this?

Thank you so much, Mr Blosl!
I would be very interested in more information about started chicks from a reputable breeder.
I planned on broody-hatching the eggs, but if they are 10 days old on arrival, I would need to brood them. I will be ready to do this in the Spring, when I move the flock into a much bigger coop I am preparing now.
Can you tell me what "H" stands for?

As a lurker, I am delighted by the opportunity to learn from all the questions asked. I am enjoying this thread immensely and read 100 pages a day in hopes of catching up with current posts. (actually, I am reading from both ends, now, so I guess, more than 100 pages a day!)

I will be going to the State fair this summer to get a good look at all the breeds available in my state, and in speaking to folks who raise my breed. I am one of those weirdoes who does truly want to raise just one breed. I will be seeking a mentor to help me in my endeavor. I have so much to learn I am trying not to get overwhelmed. I'll be spending this winter learning all I can before I have a chance to even lay my hands on some heritage birds.

Thanks, again, for your willingness to help me get started. I love this breed and am delighted to have a hand in helping this wonderful breed survive and thrive. Maybe some day, people will come to me to find true heritage 'Lorps!