Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[aveca]

That is some of my breeding pens but yes when I'm not hatching eggs I put the males in there.




The front of the hen house but it's been changed a few times since I took this pic.




I use these pens for conditioning pens and also to keep my males in and separated.




Chris

wonderful set up Chris

 

[aveca]

You have inspired me to make some changes here. I let my LF Columbian Rocks free range constantly when I do not have breeding pens set up (like now....and then I rotate which pen gets out daily, had a pair of foxes show up this afternoon for a second time so that might end for a while). I've hesitated letting the young ones out until they are several months old. I'm guessing my weather here in NW Ga can't be too different than yours in SC. I have chicks due Dec 23 (30 of them)and another 30 a week later. I'm going to try letting them free range sooner and see if that will help build the front ends I so badly need on my male birds.

We plant "food plots" here to keep the deer out of out flowerbeds so there are plenty of winter greens for the birds to graze on (turnips, kale, radish, clover, winter wheat, rape, etc)....it will be interesting to see if allowing them earlier access to free range makes any difference in mine. Dang "Coopers" and sharp shinned hawks are always a challenge when the little ones are out, but I guess the smart ones will learn to survive

Shes right, it works wonders ..like sedentary people, they dont develop muscle bone especially while growing.. by letting them out you do not see leg weakness unless its bad genetics , every time they move they lay down muscle, bone wonderful full body development , longer lived , they rest when they need..this big man is very active..it is nerve racking how many predators stalk around out there but you do everything you can to prevent attacks and beleive me, Ive had more than my share of every kind of animal after these birds.. I saw a fantastic langshan at a show this last fall..Judge loved her, made that clear but wrote a very long attachment to her card about I know shes valuable but she has leg weakness, try turning babies out more ...plus more I didnt read it all as it was long..the owner said he knew she was a very good bird and was afraid for her , kept her penned all the time.. in my top pic this rooster is out in big pasture, he has to go up hill over logs to follow girls..then roam back down here..bottom pic hes in stomp pen..both areas are fenced the way around..

 

[neopolitancrazy]

It is hard copy and I will have to find where I put it. When I find it I will scan it and send to you.

w.

Is there a standard for other breeds' eggs? (specifically Dorkings.) If so, just tell me where to look, please.
Angela

 

[thedragonlady]

You have inspired me to make some changes here. I let my LF Columbian Rocks free range constantly when I do not have breeding pens set up (like now....and then I rotate which pen gets out daily, had a pair of foxes show up this afternoon for a second time so that might end for a while). I've hesitated letting the young ones out until they are several months old. I'm guessing my weather here in NW Ga can't be too different than yours in SC. I have chicks due Dec 23 (30 of them)and another 30 a week later. I'm going to try letting them free range sooner and see if that will help build the front ends I so badly need on my male birds.

We plant "food plots" here to keep the deer out of out flowerbeds so there are plenty of winter greens for the birds to graze on (turnips, kale, radish, clover, winter wheat, rape, etc)....it will be interesting to see if allowing them earlier access to free range makes any difference in mine. Dang "Coopers" and sharp shinned hawks are always a challenge when the little ones are out, but I guess the smart ones will learn to survive

I think you'll find a huge difference in young birds who have had lots of exercise. Right now I have the last 7 babies I hatched , living in my 6' Rubbermaid tub in the greenhouse , because of the current cold , damp weather. They are coming 6 weeks old. The other 27 babies who are already out , feel like bricks in my hand. These little guys, despite having plenty of room , and a branch to fly up and roost on, feel squishy. They are going out tomorrow , even if I have to put sweaters on them !

I used to live in Woodstock , Ga,. so I know your weather well . We get a bit warmer here during the day due to the sand , but a 40 degree temperature differential , from day to night , is the norm here. I use Big Suncast horizontal storage boxes , which are double walled , for my outside babies with a 100 W light bulb at night. Bedded in straw , that keeps them toasty. As long as they all go to bed with full crops , ( and they do, as the very young ones have not figured out the ramp yet , so I pick them up ) they do beautifully. As the poop door stays open , I am met by the gang in the morning busy stuffing their faces. Yup, they're a bit fluffed up and chilly , but they are eating lots , andgrowing like weeds.

See my page for my hawk deterrent of monofilament line. It works !

 

[Wynette]

Yes, because not all breeds are meant to be heavy meat birds. As Bentley said there is a correlation between egg and meat production. Breeds that are traditionally dual purpose need to kept that way. There is a reason we try to preserve these birds and there traits. They each fill a certain role and by preserving them, we always have those traits around.
If meat is your goal then raise some Jersey Giants, Cornish, or Brahmas. And there is nothing wrong with that. But don't change every breed to be great big.
No matter what, a heritage bird is not as an efficient meat bird as broilers are, so to me it doesn't make sense to breed them for nothing but meat. Since there is not as big of a market for "heritage" meat. As much as you and I might like to eat "heritage" birds...lets be realistic it's expensive to produce and people often times simply can't afford to eat it on a regular basis.
Bottom line, we have a great diversity of breeds to choose from, each with their own special attributes. Why should we breed that diversity away?

I was actually joking, as I have a profound love for the breed, but thanks for you post - most definitely appreciated!

 

[winniem13]

I just ordered some LF single comb RIR from Dick Hortsman. They are such beautiful birds and some of the most impressive that I saw at the Cape Fear Poultry Show in Smithfield, NC this past weekend.

By the way, the WFB Spanish cockerel that I posted on this thread a month ago placed first in his breed! He was the only one!!!!!!!

 

[Wynette]

The Marans Club has egg shows at the shows here in CA....all the shows. I think they APA should do it again. At Indy last year I got some info on how to do it from a British egg judge.

Walt

Yup, yup! There is even one club that shows an egg right inside the cage along with the bird being judged - in a little acrylic box in the corner of the cage. I'd love to see that at shows, since Marans are not considered true Marans unless they lay a "#4" on the egg colour chart. However, that'd be a tough one, as I'm sure many folks would put eggs not laid by that particular hen in with her. Still, it would be a neat thing to see.

Most larger shows seem to have Marans egg shows anymore; you don't even need to be present to win. Send a set of 3 eggs into the person running the show, they'll set them out for you & send you a ribbon if you place.

 

[fowlman01]

Is there a standard for other breeds' eggs? (specifically Dorkings.) If so, just tell me where to look, please.
Angela

There are rules for judging any egg but not anything specific for Dorkings.

Walt

 

[Texasmja]

I think you'll find a huge difference in young birds who have had lots of exercise. Right now I have the last 7 babies I hatched , living in my 6' Rubbermaid tub in the greenhouse , because of the current cold , damp weather. They are coming 6 weeks old. The other 27 babies who are already out , feel like bricks in my hand. These little guys, despite having plenty of room , and a branch to fly up and roost on, feel squishy. They are going out tomorrow , even if I have to put sweaters on them !

I used to live in Woodstock , Ga,. so I know your weather well . We get a bit warmer here during the day due to the sand , but a 40 degree temperature differential , from day to night , is the norm here. I use Big Suncast horizontal storage boxes , which are double walled , for my outside babies with a 100 W light bulb at night. Bedded in straw , that keeps them toasty. As long as they all go to bed with full crops , ( and they do, as the very young ones have not figured out the ramp yet , so I pick them up ) they do beautifully. As the poop door stays open , I am met by the gang in the morning busy stuffing their faces. Yup, they're a bit fluffed up and chilly , but they are eating lots , andgrowing like weeds.

See my page for my hawk deterrent of monofilament line. It works !

If it is warm (in Texas that could be any day of the year) I start letting the chicks out at 2 weeks old, they are so much happier and love to take dust bathes. I noticed that they feather much faster. I try and let my chickens live a stress free life. They all free range every day and are locked up at night.

 

[fowlman01]

Yup, yup! There is even one club that shows an egg right inside the cage along with the bird being judged - in a little acrylic box in the corner of the cage. I'd love to see that at shows, since Marans are not considered true Marans unless they lay a "#4" on the egg colour chart. However, that'd be a tough one, as I'm sure many folks would put eggs not laid by that particular hen in with her. Still, it would be a neat thing to see.

Most larger shows seem to have Marans egg shows anymore; you don't even need to be present to win. Send a set of 3 eggs into the person running the show, they'll set them out for you & send you a ribbon if you place.

That is the beauty of an egg show......you can show anywhere and you don't have to be there.

w.