Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[redbudchix]

Hello! I have been a member for quite a while...lurking and learning until I could get my own birds. I am almost ready to do that, and was wondering if you could give me some advice as to where I could get healthy birds. I am interested in heritage birds, with the intent of breeding down the road. I am in Elizabethton, TN...and am trying to find some local people I can learn from. I would appreciate it, if you have any time, to ask you some questions. I am new to chickens, but not birds. I bred and raised exotic birds for many years. But, I have always loved chickens. We have just moved to where I can have them now. I can hardly wait! Thank you...

 

[NYREDS]

I'll answer even though not asked. You can't judge one w/o judging the other. The type [form] of any standard bred bird naturally reflects it's function. A dual purpose bird that lacks the body depth indicating egg laying ability or the breast development to make it a good table bird does not meet Standard criteria & should be judged accordingly. At least that's this judge's opinion.

 

[bnjrob]

Most diurnal animals benefit from full spectrum lighting to varying degrees. You know the term winter doldrums. Quantity and quality of light affects us to. I have never given types of lights with poultry much thought, because mine get sunshine.

No lights in our coops. Even last week with blowing rain and snow, the chickens were out in their run for a good portion of the day. The coop walls are white tileboard, with the roofs being the opaque white plastic roofing panels, so it is relatively light inside the coops even on dark days. But if I needed to put in any lights, now that I think about it, I think I'd put in daylight bulbs.

 

[redbudchix]

[So sorry all. I thought I was emailing someone from Tennessee...didn't mean to post this for all to read...sorry again. This is a great thread and I'm learning a lot.

 

[3riverschick]

Originally Posted by Arielle

Love your thinking Rick-- My kids are young and I can still influence them, I have been trying to help them be thinkers. Look it up on google then apply what you know to that information-- is it a good source of information? Is the information correct as you far as you know? I think the next generation does have have the capacity to understand the meaning and how to use the information when adults help them with that process. Have you heard of Destination Imagination? SInce my son and I did this, I continue to ask open questions, soliciting several possible solutions, then guide them thru selecting the best option. I also have to teach them to figure out the answer the teacher wants, which is not always the correct answer, to get high grades because only the kids with high grades get the scholarships to go to college. Kids need adults to help them learn thinking skills.
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Hi Arielle,
We have always urged our 2 boys to think for themselves. When my oldest was in High School, we encouraged him to join the debate team which taught him to think critically and present his views properly. 3 yrs. later he graduated with an Honor Cord in Forensics and qualified as a Forensics Judge. He's a subdriver for the Navy now and stationed on HS Nautilus in CT.
Our youngest was cyber schooled for 5 yrs. , grad. in 2009. We taught him it was a matter of personal power. People couldn't get power over you if you could think critically. He's a Coast Guardsman in Wash. State. Both approaches worked, I think the key was to explain to the kids the benefit to them for taking the time to learn critical thinking.
Best,
Karen

 

[3riverschick]

[So sorry all. I thought I was emailing someone from Tennessee...didn't mean to post this for all to read...sorry again. This is a great thread and I'm learning a lot.

Hi redbudchix,
It was a perfectly fine post and questions. A good topic to discuss. This thread is all about helping folk find healthy, typey heritage fowl, where ever they may be. Have you picked out the breed(s) with which you want to work?
Thanks for posting,
Karen

 

[Chris09]

Most diurnal animals benefit from full spectrum lighting to varying degrees. You know the term winter doldrums. Quantity and quality of light affects us to. I have never given types of lights with poultry much thought, because mine get sunshine.

My Reds are in breeding pens through the winter and well into the summer, I use both artificial light and natural sunlight.
My breeding pens have Polycarbonate panels on the roof that allows a ton of sunlight in when we have it but in the winter there very little good days of light up here in Ohio and so I have to use artificial lighting in the breeding pens if I want any eggs at all in the winter.

Chris

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[Yellow House Farm]

I'll answer even though not asked. You can't judge one w/o judging the other. The type [form] of any standard bred bird naturally reflects it's function. A dual purpose bird that lacks the body depth indicating egg laying ability or the breast development to make it a good table bird does not meet Standard criteria & should be judged accordingly. At least that's this judge's opinion.

 

[Yellow House Farm]

[So sorry all. I thought I was emailing someone from Tennessee...didn't mean to post this for all to read...sorry again. This is a great thread and I'm learning a lot.

Get a subscription to the Poultry Press tout de suite. You'll find in there both Tennessee clubs and folk from Tennessee. See what's available around you.

 

[Robert Blosl]

If you are a fan of natural light which is fine dont ask a breeder when are my chicks coming in Jan or Feb. In order for this breeder to get the Maxi-um eggs then chicks to sell you your chicks. The orders are coming in for me and the White Rock Large Fowl. I dont know if I can even make all the orders with what few birds I have. Its a matter of having more females so you get more eggs or use lights to get more eggs from less females. I use to know a farmer as a kid who had Registered Holstein cows. He would give his cows Alfalfa Hay during the winter to increase milk production than just his own hay. Kine of reminds me of what I have to do down here with just normal day light to get more eggs from my white rock females.

I bought some 75 watt bulbs yesterday at wall mart cost about $3.50 for a pack of six I think. I notices all the new bulbs on the shelf.

Will there be any difference in egg production from a old fashion shop light and a regular old fashion bulb?

Will a new fancy LED light bulb stimulate the birds to do the same as they have for 20 years? In March and April we are pretty much in no need of lights as they are really pouring the eggs out then. It seems about the time down here that you see baby ducks on the ponds that's when we are in Harmony with the Universe and get the best chicks. However, April chicks may be the best to purchase they may not be ready for fall shows. But do you want breeding stock or show birds I ask these beginners. Most of them who want to show them dont stick with them over a three to five year cycle any way we call them here today gone tomorrow chicken people. They are after stared wins and want to win trophy's.

Type is what makes maxi-um egg production in a Rock or R I Red that I have experienced . So if you want 200 eggs in a pullet year you have to have a factory to make eggs. Just that simple push for egg production over a five year period and you will have type that will make you fall to your knees when you see females walking around on the ground. I have seen type just show up out of no where.

I have seen lost traits from birds introduced as many as 75 years ago pop up out of a normal strain such as the Mohawks. So if you want to be a serous large fowl Standard Breed breeder to preserve a old breed all ways remember type first but vigor must be there or type dont me nothing. How you going to get 200 eggs out of a female that is lazy and stay on the roost last in the Moaning and is the first one on the roost at night. or she is sitting down in the shade instead of out looking for bugs during the day. Vigor means a busy hen. or a male that crows allot and is combative to another male.