Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[JerseyGiantfolk]

I agree with all three posters here. You can learn from your mistakes. I bought a pair of OEGB's at a show for $60. My own hard-earned money and decision out of the whole sale barn, BUT I didn't look at the SOP. (They were a completely new breed to me.) So, they didn't place very high at all (but they were from a good breeder). They were great showmanship birds. I got 1st place in Advanced showmanship with the hen of the pair at our county fair.

I don't think you should feel bad. It is true, you may just get lucky if you show. And do go to a poultry show sometime (you don't even have to bring a bird), take a look at the birds and talk with breeders, you can learn quite a lot.

Don't feel bad. It took a lot of years of hard work and selection for us to get where we are. You have come to the right place. Save your money and make a big step forward. Learn all you can and don't ever let your head get so puffed up with knowledge that you can no longer learn or be of use/help to anyone coming after you.

When I first started mine were too. I didn't know it until I showed them..........but the experience inspired me and I was determined to learn how to do this. I'm still learning, but I'm getting better.

Walt

Never feel bad about having chickens! You are learning all about keeping them well, and gaining experience that is irreplaceable. A chicken who isn't show quality isn't therefore a bad chicken, it just isn't show quality. Starting anywhere is far, far better than never starting.

 

[NanaKat]

Thank you Kathy. On Amazon.com the book was $250 plus shipping.

Amazon does have a 1906 version in paperback for $23.95 plus shipping if anyone is interested.

The latest edition of the APA SOP is $59.00 shipped if you buy it from them direct.

Walt

Yes that was what I was thanking Kathy about...she gave me the link and I ordered it from APA. Was just showing how much she saved me from spending.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

I have Barred Plymouth Rocks. Heritage, I think, and I very nice breed, in general.


This is my rooster. His name is Mr. Man. He's about 6-7 months old, and weighs roughly 8 pounds. He's still growing, and I have hopes for him as a show bird.















And by the way, that white mark on his comb in the above pic is NOT a split comb etc. It's a white scratch from a hen. Trust me, I handle this bird every day.

Here's my stud hen. I'm going to breed these birds, btw.





Her name is Cassandra. I'm 15, and next year, at 4h, I'm going to show her. Good markings, for a feed store bird. And that green stuff on her breast is PAINT. It's not mold, or god forbid, a split breast.

And one more pic of Mr. Man, because he's so awesome.

I haven't gotten to the end of the thread as of yet, so I am sure someone else has already told you about your birds.

Here is what I would do: I would put them in a pet pen. I am sure they are quite nice and very friendly and will surely be productive, but if you are wanting to breed anything close to a show quality or "heritage" looking bird, you will need to start somewhere other than a hatchery. Your male has nice yellow legs, BUT, they are very small. None of them have the crisp lines that a Barred Plymouth Rock should have. I am sure they will do just fine in a local fair that does not judge according to the American Standard of Perfection.

Let's face it, lots of us have birds that we keep for sentimental reasons (maybe it's just me?) and incorporate them into our layer flocks. I know I definitely like diversity in my layer flock, but I do think you should look elsewhere (this thread is a good start) for some GOOD birds that will take you alot further than a local fair. How cool would it be for you to be the first one in your 4H group to be able to show your cohorts what a REAL Barred Plymouth Rock SHOULD look like.

 

[MagicChicken]

Was talking on the phone today with a Friend about the issue of Hogs being in short demand as pure breeds. Sheep goats, are getting thin as well. I think the American Rabbit Breeders are in pretty good shape. Heck they got thousands of breeders and members. One reason they dont have problems like we do is you cant buy rabbits from feed stores or hatchery's. Most of the ones people get can be registered.

Some of the feed stores in my area sell rabbits.

Quote:

Sarah
(who is prepping for the arrival of some new heritage birds and looking forward to eating the hatchery red in her avatar)

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Chloe, don't feel bad about your birds. You are just starting out in your journey. It took years (decades in some of these old timers on here!) to get to where they are. It took trial, error, sweat and blood to understand how their lines work, what they want and need to do to achieve what they are after on their own goals.

I highly suggest purchasing an APA Standard of Perfection. It is an invaluable resource when you are starting and when you are decades old and know everything there is to know.

Read the information in the book. The pictures are there as an illustration only, they are not concrete and are only the artists interpretation of what the words state. Read the words and form what they mean in your head. Make a picture for yourself. Definitely read the glossary first as it will help you immensely as you go. I bought the cheap standard and made notes upon notes in it. Then I got the "pretty" version that was recently released. My poor 1996 paperback is so mangled...

Compare your birds to what you are reading, does it match up? Does the barring that is described in the book match your birds? Does the comb size, points and type match? Use the book to your advantage. Also go to a real poultry show. Make a weekend trip out of it with your family! I can't tell you how many people go to the shows who just saw a sign on the road and thought "Well that sounds fun!" and wind up walking through the aisle with this ridiculous grin on their faces.

 

[Lacy Blues]

Chloe, don't feel bad about your birds. You are just starting out in your journey. It took years (decades in some of these old timers on here!) to get to where they are. It took trial, error, sweat and blood I'd venture to say, some probably even shed some tears! to understand how their lines work, what they want and need to do to achieve what they are after on their own goals.

I highly suggest purchasing an APA Standard of Perfection. It is an invaluable resource when you are starting and when you are decades old and know everything there is to know.

Read the information in the book. The pictures are there as an illustration only, they are not concrete and are only the artists interpretation of what the words state. Read the words and form what they mean in your head. Make a picture for yourself. Definitely read the glossary first as it will help you immensely as you go. I bought the cheap standard and made notes upon notes in it. Then I got the "pretty" version that was recently released. My poor 1996 paperback is so mangled...

Compare your birds to what you are reading, does it match up? Does the barring that is described in the book match your birds? Does the comb size, points and type match? Use the book to your advantage. Also go to a real poultry show. Make a weekend trip out of it with your family! I can't tell you how many people go to the shows who just saw a sign on the road and thought "Well that sounds fun!" and wind up walking through the aisle with this ridiculous grin on their faces. That sounds like me. I've been to several and still smile like a fool when I get there!

 

[catdaddyfro]

Never feel bad about having chickens! You are learning all about keeping them well, and gaining experience that is irreplaceable. A chicken who isn't show quality isn't therefore a bad chicken, it just isn't show quality. Starting anywhere is far, far better than never starting.

Exactly

Cloe77 in fact you are doing one of the first basic steps a person should(I think) do before getting into a Big time breed or difficult breed/type to maintain and breed correctly. The step your in right now (which I think a lot of people may be mistakenly or purposely making), is the learning of how to rear-up chickens to keep them alive and healthy, free of pests/parasites and from the predators eating them all up in fell swoop.Sorta like Chicken rearing 101

You will know when and how and where to get into these heritage types just hang around here a little longer and read up and ask ?s too.

Jeff

 

[Chloe77]

Chloe, don't feel bad about your birds. You are just starting out in your journey. It took years (decades in some of these old timers on here!) to get to where they are. It took trial, error, sweat and blood to understand how their lines work, what they want and need to do to achieve what they are after on their own goals.

I highly suggest purchasing an APA Standard of Perfection. It is an invaluable resource when you are starting and when you are decades old and know everything there is to know.

Read the information in the book. The pictures are there as an illustration only, they are not concrete and are only the artists interpretation of what the words state. Read the words and form what they mean in your head. Make a picture for yourself. Definitely read the glossary first as it will help you immensely as you go. I bought the cheap standard and made notes upon notes in it. Then I got the "pretty" version that was recently released. My poor 1996 paperback is so mangled...

Compare your birds to what you are reading, does it match up? Does the barring that is described in the book match your birds? Does the comb size, points and type match? Use the book to your advantage. Also go to a real poultry show. Make a weekend trip out of it with your family! I can't tell you how many people go to the shows who just saw a sign on the road and thought "Well that sounds fun!" and wind up walking through the aisle with this ridiculous grin on their faces.

Thanks for the great advice. I really appreciate it. My only problem is, I don't know where a concrete place is to buy SQ birds. I just don't. I know that breeders are a good bet... But what breeders? Where are fancy chicken shows in Indiana? I mean, I have zero ideas about that. And I will get that book you mentioned, even if it's pretty expensive. My parents can get it for my birthday. But I don't know where to start.

 

[Lacy Blues]

Indiana? LOTS of poultry shows there, I'm betting! I'm sure someone will chime in here pretty soon and let you know where they are.

 

[Chloe77]

Exactly

Cloe77 in fact you are doing one of the first basic steps a person should(I think) do before getting into a Big time breed or difficult breed/type to maintain and breed correctly. The step your in right now (which I think a lot of people may be mistakenly or purposely making), is the learning of how to rear-up chickens to keep them alive and healthy, free of pests/parasites and from the predators eating them all up in fell swoop.Sorta like Chicken rearing 101

You will know when and how and where to get into these heritage types just hang around here a little longer and read up and ask ?s too.

Jeff

I will. Thanks for helping me. My only problem is that I'm unsure where to buy SQ birds. Hatcheries are bad, I guess. But I think you're right. Taking care of a bird is one of the most important things. I mean, really taking care of it, and making sure it doesn't have bugs.