Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[thedragonlady]

It's always a man thing..........

Judges...some judges actually read the SOP after they pass a test. The ABA has ongoing judges classes to refresh the judges, but it doesn't seem to be working in some areas. To be fair to judges ....we are not all butchers who can tell almost right on what something weighs when it is in our hand. What you see is not what you get. These British Orp look so fluffy that one would not think they weighed that much......on the other side...I have picked up bantam white Rock old hens and other bantams that feel like lead, but don't look it. I am sure they are over the DQ limit, but people looking into the cage would never suspect it. So......you can't tell by just looking what a bird really weighs when some of these birds place high. You can say with certainty that they look physically big, but in bantams the ones that look big are probably somewhat underweight.

People have been trying to breed to extremes forever......it kind of takes care of itself. The oversized birds break down and the cretin bantams only lay soft shelled eggs or whatever else mother natures throws at them to keep them off this planet.

You are a good breeder, so you can make your Orps whatever you like. They are beautiful birds.

Walt

Thank you sir. I will continue to do just that within the parameters of the SOP, and what is winning , in MY eyes . That's the thrill of breeding poultry , or anything else . It's a lot more work than just breeding a few under 2 lb. Silkies , but watching these big birds on the grass feeds my soul , and keeps my pecs , and

under arms toned putting them back up .

 

[Pozees]

What is a Standard Breed Poultry Preservationist?

What do you think in 30 words or less.

One who places breeding to SOP, which should include the basic expected function of each breed, ahead of all else.

 

[Pozees]

Wow, 30 words or less is tough for me, especially since I used half of them with this statement.
It is someone who selects a breed that is in dire need of preservation because of its lack of 'popularity' and works to improve the breed back to SOP standard and then distributes those birds to as many other breeders as possible.

Nice!

 

[galanie]

I'm just curious..a lot of breeding stations around the world let's say breeding cattle..are working hard to increase muscle mass, Size ect as in meat production..would it be such a bad thing in some breeds the bigger boned and muscle birds looking at it from that perspective.?..the birds of the turn of the century were very different than today's through different breeding, feeding practice.I think they would be a little green with envy at a few of today's birds .as long as the birds are healthy rather robust..Just looking at it like it is meat , egg product.. Just trying to understand.. There is a part of me that thinks...outside of bantam..isn't that the point? Bigger, more meat per bird.

Since heritage birds are not used for large scale meat production that's really pointless.
That is what broilers are for

Since Dual Purpose birds are supposed to, within limits, fulfill both requirements, is it really that pointless? Especially in view of the way the hatcheries have everyone brainwashed for egg producing and that only. Just trying to further the discussion.

 

[Pozees]

What we are doing in the Russian Orloff thread then? How nice to have a formal title. How does that stand in contrast with another term that's sprung up; 'propagators?' Are preservation societies who do not breed for standards not preservation centers but really propagators? I wonder if that would make a difference to their 501c3 standing? How should a keeper of fowl qualify as a Preservationist? Is it a pure dedication to one breed and the commitment of its standards to their memory? Would it exclude or demand the sale of progeny? Would there be standards for who could then buy them so to maintain the standards so earnestly labored for? Could they apply for 501c3 standing?

The birds above are lovely.

I think when a breed is represented in such low numbers, those who breed them try to increase numbers first and foremost, and as they winnow down the best to breed forwarf with, those are carefully kept or shared with others who are willing to breed to the old SOP, and those who are culled are sold or given to those who only seek additions to backyard flocks, who have no current desire to breed. Chances are a small percentage of the latter will later return for breeding quality stock. I suspect once more average keepers have them in their flocks, interest will grow in the breed. I myself look forward to having some one day.

 

[galanie]

[SIZE=11pt]What is a Standard Breed Poultry Preservationist? [/SIZE]

What do you think in 30 words or less.

One who places breeding to SOP, which should include the basic expected function of each breed, ahead of all else.

This. Not overweight, not underweight. Not for 350 eggs a year. Just what the SOP specifies. Not a show bird only, one that produces what it should.

 

[mschlumb]

Since Dual Purpose birds are supposed to, within limits, fulfill both requirements, is it really that pointless? Especially in view of the way the hatcheries have everyone brainwashed for egg producing and that only. Just trying to further the discussion.

What hatcheries do has absolutely nothing to do with standardbred birds, lets not just try to be hatchery opposite just be hatchery opposite. A dual purpose bird that is too heavy becomes a less efficient egg producer.

Each breed was assigned a weight based what is most efficient and most productive for each breed. On page 3 of the SOP it says "that in each breed, the most useful type should be made standard type"

If we all bred our birds to have more meat we all end up with a bunch of Jersey Giants.

 

[3riverschick]

In this vein the suggestion that standards be a regular qualification of preservationists makes good sense. Now... about these propagators.... I think it might be better to woo them with romantic language than exclude them with linguistic standards of our own.

Or...

we could just have a great time enjoying and breeding our chickens!

Karen

 

[Lacy Blues]

Since heritage birds are not used for large scale meat production that's really pointless.
That is what broilers are fo

But the heritage taste SO MUCH BETTER!

 

[Lacy Blues]

Since heritage birds are not used for large scale meat production that's really pointless.
That is what broilers are for

Double post... sorry!