Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[mschlumb]

Would anyone like to speak to
-- What is the current status of Leghorns (other than white, esp. Mottled, Mille Fleur, Brown)?

I understand that Heritage breeds are not going to have the egg production of a modern Production Red,
but I AM looking for a breed that is egg laying focused (w/ fryer boys I assume) . I would rather feed a few extra rare breed hens than a flock of PR from a hatchery.

Thanks for all comments.
FeyRaine

SC Light Browns are the most common variety besides the SC whites. SC Darks are probably second most common brown variety, most dark brown breeders are in the east and north. More Rose Comb Brown Leghorn breeders are really needed. I'm more aware of the statuses of Browns than I am anything but i think the buffs seem to be becoming more popular as are the Rose Comb whites. Otherwise you (at least I) don't really see too many of the other varieties.

 

[mschlumb]

Just heard that mschlumb and Dr. Bramwell will be speaking at our January Meetup here in Arkansas! Looking forward to meeting you in person!


Poultry Breeding and Genetics in the Small Flock Meetup Seminar - Arkansas - January 12, 2013

Speaker: Dr. Keith Bramwell, University of Arkansas/Fayetteville

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...flock-meetup-seminar-arkansas-january-12-2013

Dr. Bramwell, one of my professors, is a great speaker! I am more or less just along for the ride!

 

[Hangtown Farms]

Over in Sunny California, cherylcohen is working with Mille Fleur Leghorns. They look very pretty and seem to be a bit calmer than the White ones. They lay nice white eggs but I do not know how productive they are.

Send Cheryl a PM!

I have heard from a few people they are great layers as well. Not sure how they rank as compared to other Leghorns though. They sure are good looking. My penedesenca hen has a lite pattern like that. was told she may be wheaten x partridge cross from a few people but ????

 

[ronott1]

Quote:
I just read a clear and concise precis of this. It was actually a bit touching and made me feel sentimental. Here is the link: http://www.yellowhousefarmnh.com/content/2144#foundationalbreedsvscompositebreeds

Delawares are a Composite breed that breeds true and was bred from two other composite breeds. Those two breeds were bred from Foundation Breeds.

 

[Lacy Blues]

Thanks, Bob.

Sounds like a lot of wisdom there. Since I'm less than a year into chickens, I'll probably stick with my Buckeyes and Hamburgs. If things work out this spring I'll have to put in an order with Paul Hardy on some of his birds. I got the Meyer birds last year to see what they were like and enjoyed the crazy little nutjobs enough to see what real LF Hamburgs are like. I think between those two breeds and the turkeys I will have coming in from Porter's, that should keep met busy for another season.

But I really do like the looks of Blue Andalusians, if only those huge combs and wattles could handle these Ohio winters...

And those GS Barred rocks. Give me another year or two and I may be swapping out my hatchery utility rocks for those...

Thanks,

rick

Rick,

If Andalusians can take NYREDS New York winters, I'm pretty sure they can also take your Ohio winters. Just a draft free barn is all you would need.

As a point of contention... the combs and wattles are not supposed to be HUGE. Check the SOP, they are medium sized. The Minorca bred into the Andalusian will give you HUGE combs and wattles. If you keep them pure and choose your breeders carefully, you can keep those appendages in the medium range.

 

[ronott1]

Quote: Nice looking Jason!

My most sincere apologies for being off topic for this thread. I like Mille Fleur patterns too!

This is an EO Basque with a Mille Fleur pattern.

 

[Hangtown Farms]

Nice looking Jason!

My most sincere apologies for being off topic for this thread. I like Mille Fleur patterns too!

This is an EO Basque with a Mille Fleur pattern.

me too I will stop

 

[3riverschick]

Would anyone like to speak to
-- What is the current status of Leghorns (other than white, esp. Mottled, Mille Fleur, Brown)?

I understand that Heritage breeds are not going to have the egg production of a modern Production Red,
but I AM looking for a breed that is egg laying focused (w/ fryer boys I assume) . I would rather feed a few extra rare breed hens than a flock of PR from a hatchery.

Thanks for all comments.
FeyRaine

Light Sussex are the egg layers of the Sussex breed. A breed that was also created for its meat abilities.
Best,
karen

 

[Bentley]

My Light Sussex are very good egg layers. Interestingly enough, mine are very broody too which the two don't normally go together.

 

[3riverschick]

My Light Sussex are very good egg layers. Interestingly enough, mine are very broody too which the two don't normally go together.

All the time? Or just at certain times of the year?
Karen