Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

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i have had rattle be for in my big white rocks, it does not seem to bother the birds to the point of death or lack of appetite or egg producing. I may get one every year or two. It seems to clear up. I have very open aired pens at my place for them so I never pay much attention to it. When I had the large fowl reds I dont recall any thing like this either.

He told me the first ones started to improve so that's a good sign. When you do not have a lot of birds and you just getting started killing a bird because of these systems is premature. Naturally, if they are laying around cant eat they need to be moved and kept away from the flock. I normally kill the birds if they get to that level.

One of the fears when you take your birds to a chicken show is exposing them to germs they may not have been ever exposed to. He did take them to a show this fall and could have carried this back home with him.

Where I work at we had a new lady admitted to our memory care unit found out she came from another health care center that had a big outbreak of a flu like virus. Sure enough she comes down with it about six days ago and the whole place which has 30 residents are going through it. Its a 24 hour to 36 hours event then its over. But it works the same as it does on our chickens.

They think its a virus like you catch on a cruse liner and then you here about it on the news.

Seeing nice Java pictures on Fred education page. I thought at first I put a voodoo curse on it with my old Mottle Javas.

How to ship hatching eggs: Got two requests in two weeks so will talk about this for a miniute as it is sometimes the only way to get a start of a rare breed.

Lots of orders this year for Rhode Island Reds and even Rose Combs. Hopefully, next year we will have two or three more Rose Comb breeders here to help the demand. I went to Scott's thread on how he ship ed his eggs and some one elses excellent ideas to ship. He even puts some of the foam stuff from a can to fill the voids in the package. I think the secret is do not let them move around, keep the large size of the egg up, and nothing wrong with shipping them UPS ground if not a long distance. John Wonderluch who shiped Cornish eggs thought about 15 years ago this was better than the Post Office. I plan to experiment this year with two friends with eggs. One method is to pack them like Scott suggested but ship them in a single nest two bantam live shipping box and ship them two day priorty mail. They just might get put in the live section of the air plane with the live birds. I tried about four years ago to have two sentences added to the Post Office Regulations and that is to have the eggs put into the live section with the bees, chicks and other live animals on the air plane. If they where shipped two day priorty male you would have a label saying live employees on the box and hatching eggs. If they had this they would go into the live section of the plane and would also get better care. What they do today is put it in a cargo shelf on wheels then they mount up to a wall on the plane. They are on wheels. If the box is on the top or middle they may do ok. Then when the eggs get to their hub like Seattle then they cart is wheeled out to the terminal and the eggs are then put into a truck and ship ed to Olimpia or Vancouver by normal means. They clam these Fed Ex planes are pressurized as they are converted old passenger planes so the barometric pressure should be normal. Now the temperature is a question at 20,000 feet or more it could be very cold. The pilots and the live birds have the same temps say 76 degrees. So that the story on how eggs are shipped today. Some have had good luck but if you don't pack them correctly, then you may get a 10% hatch.

For the fun of it if you read this and have a method all ready written down with pictures on another web site or somewhere on this site please post it for the new folks. There was a lady in Arkansas who had one of the best methods I read about two years ago and a few others. Eggs should start hatching this weekend for me. I hope to raise about 40 reds, 20 white rocks, 15 buff Brahmas and 15 or 20 white leghorn bantams. Got more orders for chicks and eggs than I think I can handle. O I forgot about the black and white chickens. Hope to hatch about 15 to 20 of them and if I get good egg production from them will hatch and share chicks in lots of five or ten to those who want this old strain.
 
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i have had rattle be for in my big white rocks, it does not seem to bother the birds to the point of death or lack of appetite or egg producing. I may get one every year or two. It seems to clear up. I have very open aired pens at my place for them so I never pay much attention to it. When I had the large fowl reds I dont recall any thing like this either.

He told me the first ones started to improve so that's a good sign. When you do not have a lot of birds and you just getting started killing a bird because of these systems is premature. Naturally, if they are laying around cant eat they need to be moved and kept away from the flock. I normally kill the birds if they get to that level.

One of the fears when you take your birds to a chicken show is exposing them to germs they may not have been ever exposed to. He did take them to a show this fall and could have carried this back home with him.

Where I work at we had a new lady admitted to our memory care unit found out she came from another health care center that had a big outbreak of a flu like virus. Sure enough she comes down with it about six days ago and the whole place which has 30 residents are going through it. Its a 24 hour to 36 hours event then its over. But it works the same as it does on our chickens.

They think its a virus like you catch on a cruse liner and then you here about it on the news.

Seeing nice Java pictures on Fred education page. I thought at first I put a voodoo curse on it with my old Mottle Javas.

How to ship hatching eggs: Got two requests in two weeks so will talk about this for a miniute as it is sometimes the only way to get a start of a rare breed.

Lots of orders this year for Rhode Island Reds and even Rose Combs. Hopefully, next year we will have two or three more Rose Comb breeders here to help the demand. I went to Scott's thread on how he ship ed his eggs and some one elses excellent ideas to ship. He even puts some of the foam stuff from a can to fill the voids in the package. I think the secret is do not let them move around, keep the large size of the egg up, and nothing wrong with shipping them UPS ground if not a long distance. John Wonderluch who shiped Cornish eggs thought about 15 years ago this was better than the Post Office. I plan to experiment this year with two friends with eggs. One method is to pack them like Scott suggested but ship them in a single nest two bantam live shipping box and ship them two day priorty mail. They just might get put in the live section of the air plane with the live birds. I tried about four years ago to have two sentences added to the Post Office Regulations and that is to have the eggs put into the live section with the bees, chicks and other live animals on the air plane. If they where shipped two day priorty male you would have a label saying live employees on the box and hatching eggs. If they had this they would go into the live section of the plane and would also get better care. What they do today is put it in a cargo shelf on wheels then they mount up to a wall on the plane. They are on wheels. If the box is on the top or middle they may do ok. Then when the eggs get to their hub like Seattle then they cart is wheeled out to the terminal and the eggs are then put into a truck and ship ed to Olimpia or Vancouver by normal means. They clam these Fed Ex planes are pressurized as they are converted old passenger planes so the barometric pressure should be normal. Now the temperature is a question at 20,000 feet or more it could be very cold. The pilots and the live birds have the same temps say 76 degrees. So that the story on how eggs are shipped today. Some have had good luck but if you don't pack them correctly, then you may get a 10% hatch.

For the fun of it if you read this and have a method all ready written down with pictures on another web site or somewhere on this site please post it for the new folks. There was a lady in Arkansas who had one of the best methods I read about two years ago and a few others. Eggs should start hatching this weekend for me. I hope to raise about 40 reds, 20 white rocks, 15 buff Brahmas and 15 or 20 white leghorn bantams. Got more orders for chicks and eggs than I think I can handle. O I forgot about the black and white chickens. Hope to hatch about 15 to 20 of them and if I get good egg production from them will hatch and share chicks in lots of five or ten to those who want this old strain.
Bob,

AVECA put me on to "Medi-shippers". They are styrofoam boxes that not only insulate eggs from temperature extremes, but cushion them as well. You can get used ones for FREE from your Doc's office. I wrap the eggs in small bubble wrap, leaving the ends open so they don't condense if there is a temp drop. Fill the out side edges with big bubblewrap, or air cells. NO broken air cells, and hatchability much improved.

No people, don't take this to mean that I'm selling hatching eggs, but I DO work with a couple of people !
 
Oh wow, partridge Wyandottes are just the most beautiful birds! But they're very fluffy also, I'm not sure how much heat they can take. But SD is right on the water, no mountains, etc... it doesn't get that hot there does it? I mean, isn't the high around 95 tops in the summer? (here we get to 110) Cochins also come in that color but I'm not sure if they are HF?

Though I found one site that listed the Wyandotte as a heat tolerant breed, so I might be judging them on their fluffy feathers inappropriately??
 
Well it was suggested- and someone then picked up that I was getting Chanteclers, but I am not. Which I will answer why not, since Bob questioned what makes people pick certain breeds over others.

I wanted to love Chanteclers- they were one of the first that I researched. From what I've read- the whites are the only ones that can legitimately be considered as having originated from the original breeding/intent, and frankly I just don't want white chickens. The only bird that I have ever lost to an (aerial) predator has been a white bird. And we have impressive (aerial) predators to contend with. When I look at a white chicken I think "commercial". Now that may seem absurd and silly- but I can't say that I am immune to aesthetics when I gaze upon my chickens- and I just don't enjoy whites. (Although I will certainly make an exception for Yellow House Farm's identifying photo- that round breast, and red comb sitting in the snow always catches my eye and makes me smile.)

I am interested in the Standard/Heritage Breeds in the same way, and for many of the same reasons that I grow heirloom vegetables. I have an interest in breeding to the SOP- delving into my chicken hobby in a more scientific/intellectual way. Frankly I never really expected that I would be so interested and enamored with chickens on the level that I have become since first acquiring my motley crew of hatchery birds. And I see saving the old strains as crucial- just as saving endangered wildlife is crucial. Our world has taken a scary turn towards throwing aside our most precious resources- I'd like to do my part to put up a good fight against that.

I live in Alaska, and showing isn't really an option for me. Which is too bad- because I can see that poultry shows would be an invaluable resource for meeting some "old pros" and really learning valuable information. I wish that I could have a hands on mentor, but I will do the best with the resources that I do have.

Initially I put some feelers out for Buckeyes- but I hit a wall in terms of breeders not willing to sell eggs- or having a 25 chick minimum. Reading that they are not the best in confinement had me concerned- because being an amazing forager is something I'm looking for- but my reality is that chickens have to be confined during the brutal cold snaps- and they need to get along with that.

I have decided upon the Good Shepard Barred Rocks because they are stunning- which initially caught my eye, since I always believed Barred Rocks to be quite boring and drab. But also because they look tasty! The photos I have seen on the Good Shepherd website/Facebook page look like the kind of carcass I want to have after I go through the sadness and work of processing my birds. But I want some eggs too- at $5 a dozen, selling extras helps offset the cost of feed. From reading what folks have written about their GSBRs on this forum- it seems as though they are effective foragers, which I want. Winters are long and feed is expensive up here- I want birds that are going to make full use of the time that they have to grab the good stuff, while its available. A video interview I saw with Mr. Reese had him describing his Barred Rocks as hardy and running around in -15 degrees. Inflated advertising? I'm willing to take his word on it- and give them a try myself. So fingers crossed- I never got a response from Good Shepherd, but Jwhip has put me on his list for 2 dozen eggs. He's clearly an amazing breeder and it sounds like he's a good wrapper/shipper of eggs- which is important for the long journey. My incubator is waiting!

I also just sent a check off to Texas- and am dancing in my seat waiting on my 10 RCRIR chicks. I guess I am a sucker for the old standards- the barnyard classics. If they worked on the homesteads of our old family farms- then surely they will work on my little homestead. The rose combs will be practical- but for some reason I find the RCRIRs much more appealing- they look sleek and impressive in a way that the SC don't. And they need more love as far as numbers go. Also my hatchery stock rcrir hen brooded her first time and raised 9 chicks, after sitting on a foolishly large nest of everyone's eggs (It was both of our first times!) - she's a fiesty little thing who teaches the cockerels how to treat a lady- so i have a soft spot- although I know not to expect that same personality in a Standard Bred. Also, I read that they are rich and tasty- and perfect for stews- and eggs (see above). Cast iron dutch oven slow cooking on the woodstove=happy Alaskan Winter.

Hope I haven't bored you all.
 
Oh wow, partridge Wyandottes are just the most beautiful birds! But they're very fluffy also, I'm not sure how much heat they can take. But SD is right on the water, no mountains, etc... it doesn't get that hot there does it? I mean, isn't the high around 95 tops in the summer? (here we get to 110) Cochins also come in that color but I'm not sure if they are HF?

Though I found one site that listed the Wyandotte as a heat tolerant breed, so I might be judging them on their fluffy feathers inappropriately??

Google "paul's wyandottes" he's in Florida so his strain would be used to the heat.
 
Well it was suggested- and someone then picked up that I was getting Chanteclers, but I am not. Which I will answer why not, since Bob questioned what makes people pick certain breeds over others.

I wanted to love Chanteclers- they were one of the first that I researched. From what I've read- the whites are the only ones that can legitimately be considered as having originated from the original breeding/intent, and frankly I just don't want white chickens. The only bird that I have ever lost to an (aerial) predator has been a white bird. And we have impressive (aerial) predators to contend with. When I look at a white chicken I think "commercial". Now that may seem absurd and silly- but I can't say that I am immune to aesthetics when I gaze upon my chickens- and I just don't enjoy whites. (Although I will certainly make an exception for Yellow House Farm's identifying photo- that round breast, and red comb sitting in the snow always catches my eye and makes me smile.)

I am interested in the Standard/Heritage Breeds in the same way, and for many of the same reasons that I grow heirloom vegetables. I have an interest in breeding to the SOP- delving into my chicken hobby in a more scientific/intellectual way. Frankly I never really expected that I would be so interested and enamored with chickens on the level that I have become since first acquiring my motley crew of hatchery birds. And I see saving the old strains as crucial- just as saving endangered wildlife is crucial. Our world has taken a scary turn towards throwing aside our most precious resources- I'd like to do my part to put up a good fight against that.

I live in Alaska, and showing isn't really an option for me. Which is too bad- because I can see that poultry shows would be an invaluable resource for meeting some "old pros" and really learning valuable information. I wish that I could have a hands on mentor, but I will do the best with the resources that I do have.

Initially I put some feelers out for Buckeyes- but I hit a wall in terms of breeders not willing to sell eggs- or having a 25 chick minimum. Reading that they are not the best in confinement had me concerned- because being an amazing forager is something I'm looking for- but my reality is that chickens have to be confined during the brutal cold snaps- and they need to get along with that.

I have decided upon the Good Shepard Barred Rocks because they are stunning- which initially caught my eye, since I always believed Barred Rocks to be quite boring and drab. But also because they look tasty! The photos I have seen on the Good Shepherd website/Facebook page look like the kind of carcass I want to have after I go through the sadness and work of processing my birds. But I want some eggs too- at $5 a dozen, selling extras helps offset the cost of feed. From reading what folks have written about their GSBRs on this forum- it seems as though they are effective foragers, which I want. Winters are long and feed is expensive up here- I want birds that are going to make full use of the time that they have to grab the good stuff, while its available. A video interview I saw with Mr. Reese had him describing his Barred Rocks as hardy and running around in -15 degrees. Inflated advertising? I'm willing to take his word on it- and give them a try myself. So fingers crossed- I never got a response from Good Shepherd, but Jwhip has put me on his list for 2 dozen eggs. He's clearly an amazing breeder and it sounds like he's a good wrapper/shipper of eggs- which is important for the long journey. My incubator is waiting!

I also just sent a check off to Texas- and am dancing in my seat waiting on my 10 RCRIR chicks. I guess I am a sucker for the old standards- the barnyard classics. If they worked on the homesteads of our old family farms- then surely they will work on my little homestead. The rose combs will be practical- but for some reason I find the RCRIRs much more appealing- they look sleek and impressive in a way that the SC don't. And they need more love as far as numbers go. Also my hatchery stock rcrir hen brooded her first time and raised 9 chicks, after sitting on a foolishly large nest of everyone's eggs (It was both of our first times!) - she's a fiesty little thing who teaches the cockerels how to treat a lady- so i have a soft spot- although I know not to expect that same personality in a Standard Bred. Also, I read that they are rich and tasty- and perfect for stews- and eggs (see above). Cast iron dutch oven slow cooking on the woodstove=happy Alaskan Winter.

Hope I haven't bored you all.
It is good that you are getting at least 2 dozen since shipping no matter how good the method will be hard on those air cells...as others have suggested, I'd incubate and hatch upright in cartons. I just hatched 18 out of 27 NH's from Jwhip...which is a decent percentage for shipped eggs. He does pack well. You might ask him about adding some of those NH crosses to your order, as they are super fleshy and the eggs were huge too...great homestead bird...along the lines of the RIR's since they were derived from them originally. IMO they are even better looking (-; Supposedly though, the Dorkings are super tasty and are large even dressed out...Jwhip has them, but they are a white bird. Just some thoughts. I am excited for you...as these heritage strains are definitely a cut above the rest!!!! good luck with your hatch and pullet power to you!!!
wink.png
 
.......

Hope I haven't bored you all.
Not in the least, and you made me want to move to Alaska!
Google "paul's wyandottes" he's in Florida so his strain would be used to the heat.
Well, there ya go! Florida has that humidity that would put San Diego "heat" to shame! If Wyandottes can live there, they can live anywhere!
 
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