Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[buffalogal]

I kinda like this one. Just think of the chicken's head pressed up to the glass inside the bottle, looking out . . .

That's what I was thinking...

 

[Pozees]

I think there are a lot of people interested in preserving these the old rare breeds. This is one reason why this thread exists, to share information about the breeds, as well as successes and failures. I know many people in my region that specifically raise breeds that are less common and many of these are listed on the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. They do so not only for exhibition purposes but because they, too, have an interest in these breeds and many of them bring some sort of nostalgic feel as well. I work with many of these people on their poultry programs and operations so i get to see their progress.

As for me, as I have chosen the breeds I raise I referenced the ALBC website. I then choose breeds that are both less common in my area of the country, need some work to improve, and obviously breeds I have a passion for. I am very fortunate to have the resources to house, in breeding pens, large numbers of birds for breeding purposes. I don't raise any of them for a business or for profit, I do it because I enjoy it. Currently I Have 2 breeds from the 'critical' list, 5 breeds from the 'threatened' list, 3 that are under 'watch', 2 listed as 'recovering' and another 2 that are under 'study' I know this sounds like a lot but, again I am very fortunate in my opportunities right now. I set, on average, 300-400 eggs every other week and cull very very hard. I have several other breeders I also collaborate with on these projects.

What does it mean to preserve them? Read and study their history to learn what the original purpose was for the breed, then breed and select to ensure they are back or heading back to that original standard or purpose. The APA SOP is an invaluable reference to learn about the intricacies of each breed as well as to be used to reference the ideal body weights for each and weigh birds often so they don't 'drift' as a population. If birds are not weighed often, as a flock Large Fowl will tend to lose body weight with each successive generation and bantams will increase in size with each generation. Basically, getting the breeds where they were meant to by their originators.

Since the whole outcrossing debate began with something you posted, I wanted to ask what you meant by outcrossing. Many took it to mean crossing in other breeds, and perhaps that was a misunderstanding.

 

[buffalogal]

What does it mean to preserve them? Read and study their history to learn what the original purpose was for the breed, then breed and select to ensure they are back or heading back to that original standard or purpose. The APA SOP is an invaluable reference to learn about the intricacies of each breed as well as to be used to reference the ideal body weights for each and weigh birds often so they don't 'drift' as a population. If birds are not weighed often, as a flock Large Fowl will tend to lose body weight with each successive generation and bantams will increase in size with each generation. Basically, getting the breeds where they were meant to by their originators.

I believe that as I'm raising breeds praised for their foraging ability, if I keep them locked up all the time I'm wasting my time as far as "preserving" those breeds as my Grandparents would have recognized them They might look like those old timey birds, but a coop potato is not the same thing, so mine free range in the same sense that birds did 100 years ago. IOW, I have a whole farm of dunghill fowl.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Sitting here watching my 11 year old son and 7 year old daughter watch Walt aka fowlman01 among others on video. So glad they are interested in poultry and livestock!

Beginners Guide to Raising and Showing Chickens DVD
An essential tool for novice poultry fanciers.
Contains information on everything from hatching to exhibiting and beyond. Includes section on judging at poultry shows by licensed APA judges.
Price $ 20.00

http://www.amerpoultryassn.com/APA_ShoppingMall3.htm

 

[Lacy Blues]

Good idea!!!

Now if I can just figure out how to get my John Deere mower thru a 30" door.....LOL

Perhaps I"ll just use the weedeater

Thanks Lacy (BTW....I have a friend working on LF Blue Rocks....might need an infusion of Andalusian blood to get the proper lacing....can I have him contact you?)

Sure, they can contact me. No problem.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Wow. Just caught up from 30 plus pages. That was painful and my head is hurting quite a bit from all that mess.

I think I will just continue with the "easy" birds and colors!

For me, I can't understand that genetic jargon. I know I probably should, but it just doesn't translate for me. I don't see formulas when I look at my birds. I see lines, angles, curves...all come together to create a masterpiece. Now, if that masterpiece will fit into my grand scheme is an entirely different matter! For those of you that can understand it and apply it, kudos to you, but I think I will keep it as simple as possible.

 

[heritagehabitatfarms]

one thing u can do is pick some of it and place it in there brooders for a week or so before u move them... that way they will get acclimated to it before they are presented with the mother-load in there new pen...

Ok y'all.....got a question regarding rearing young birds. While planting the "food plot" that keeps the deer outta my flowerbeds (aka "chicken greens") I accidentally overseeded my two grow out pens and they are LUSH and GREEN with clover, turnips,collards, rape, kale, chickory and radish. I typically move the birds from the brooder to these 2 pens at 4-6 weeks (once fully feathered)...there is a small 40W bulb for heat if need be.

At any rate, I got to looking at those pens tonight and wondered if it was ok to allow young birds to forage on that much green "stuff" at a young age. These are fall/winter greens so they will be fine for months (we plant the same mix at the hunting club for deer), but if the young birds can't eat it, then I need to make a weekend project and remove it

Any advise?

Thanks

 

[thedragonlady]

Well some folks think I'm a successful breeder and I have had show successes.......but I don't, nor have I ever outcrossed and I do just fine....lmao. I don't care if people outcross, X breed or whatever they need to do, but every time I hear that you need to outcross "to keep genetic diversity " I laugh out loud. I have had a flock of Leghorns that have never had any outside blood introduced to them in 30 years and don't have any that can't do a respectable job in a show after me making the huge mistake of not adding "genetic diversity" to them up with inbreeding for 30 years...lmao! You sound like an expert, so I will defer to your expertise. I'm going out now to look at the birds and decide if I need to kill my flock or just add some of Bob's Silkie blood to get that diversity up, so that they don't develop a third eye.

I love BYC!......so much good chicken info here.

Walt

So, an inquiring mind wants to know how your inbred misfits did this past weekend after the chicken taxi took them so far from home through the tempest.

 

[Maggiesdad]

After trying to keep up with this thread since Thanksgiving, I'm seriously considering getting pickled myself...

I kinda like this one. Just think of the chicken's head pressed up to the glass inside the bottle, looking out . . .

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preserve
Preserve
transitive verb

1​

:

2​

a :

b :

3​

a :

b : to can, pickle, or similarly prepare for future use

4​

 

[NYREDS]

Good idea!!!

Now if I can just figure out how to get my John Deere mower thru a 30" door.....LOL

Perhaps I"ll just use the weedeater

Thanks Lacy (BTW....I have a friend working on LF Blue Rocks....might need an infusion of Andalusian blood to get the proper lacing....can I have him contact you?)

Bad idea. Your friend would also be introducing slate legs & while lobes. White lobes where they should be red is a tough fix & it's hard enough to keep yellow legs on a Blue Rock as it is. Tell your friend to breed his black & splash birds together for well laced offspring.
As to the green food question don't worry about it. Your birds won't/can't "OD" on greens.