Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[fowlman01]

Bob ..you will be pleased to know that there are some folks working very hard on
candy corn Tolbunt. Tolbunt is actually a color of Polish, so I don't get it. I don't think they know that "Tolbunt" is a color, not a breed. Doesn't matter as they can't agree on the color Tolbunt either. The Polish Club has a definition translated from the Germans who started this color, but the newbies read a "story" somewhere and now want to change the color..cuz....it's all wrong. An another online success for the story tellers. I dont think the APA will go for the story though. We tend to side with the originators.


Walt

 

[Robert Blosl]

Bob ..you will be pleased to know that there are some folks working very hard on
candy corn Tolbunt. Tolbunt is actually a color of Polish, so I don't get it. I don't think they know that "Tolbunt" is a color, not a breed. Doesn't matter as they can't agree on the color Tolbunt either. The Polish Club has a definition translated from the Germans who started this color, but the newbies read a "story" somewhere and now want to change the color..cuz....it's all wrong. An another online success for the story tellers. I dont think the APA will go for the story though. We tend to side with the originators.


Walt

They read it on the internet Walt. That's a nice new color for a Plymouth Rock.

I have noticed how some folks do back flips over these weird off the wall colors and breeds from Europe.

But the biggest craze is the color of the egg shell and how people will pay so much money for six or twelve eggs from these chickens but not give the time of day for a old breed that's stuck in the corner yelling Help Me I am dying.

 

[T Eugene]

This is my opportunity to publicly say thanks to Bob Blosl for getting me started with Dr. Albert Mcgraws mottled javas. No new colors or mixing bloodlines in my goals. Simply preserve, improve and share this old line. Thanks Bob for this opportunity to participate. It's already a treat as the birds are so much fun to watch!

 

[cbnovick]

They read it on the internet Walt. That's a nice new color for a Plymouth Rock.

I have noticed how some folks do back flips over these weird off the wall colors and breeds from Europe.

But the biggest craze is the color of the egg shell and how people will pay so much money for six or twelve eggs from these chickens but not give the time of day for a old breed that's stuck in the corner yelling Help Me I am dying.

Bob,
I would bet that popular urban farming publications have helped to spearheaded this egg color craze/fad (chocolate, olive, easter etc.) .... ie "Backyard Chickens" etc. etc.

IMHO.....
Hatcheries are 'killing' standard bred poultry.

Feed stores (that buy from hatcheries) spread the production 'mongrel' or 'cookie cutter' version bird even wider...

The common person seeks out what is most convenient and prevalent...enter the online hatchery or feed store.
I would venture to say that based on the reading I have done in old poultry books etc. that the 'old school' hatcheries probably had decent quality birds as breeders...
My feed store would be willing to purchase from private breeders for better quality...But they want the sexing done...since most want females...which I understand that many of these people live in zones not allowing 'roosters' ..or they just want layers etc....that's the real clincher unfortunately.

I have 'converted' several people from hatchery stock to breeder birds in the past few years...and hope to continue my efforts. i certainly don't think that all people are interested in breeding etc., but there's a place for breeders' birds even in backyard flocks, if only to raise general awareness of what fowl really should look like, act like and produce like. Perhaps they would request/demand better breeding/quality control from hatcheries in return.

Perhaps the change needs to begin with the hatcheries....enter quality control...mongrels that produce eggs until they burn out at 2 yrs or become egg bound-ovarian cancer and die even before then....they may need to charge more for their chicks etc., but at least the added value of quality fowl would be there. Let's face it, even at $8-10 per chick that's a pretty cheap price compared to just about any other livestock or pet for that matter.

How can we elicit reform at the HATCHERY LEVEL??

Steppin' off my soap box now...

 

[BGMatt]

Education would be a good start. Educating people and letting them complain to the hatcheries or refuse to buy their stock. But everyone is so caught up in the "isn't it cute!" And "it's beautiful" for the mutts and so nobody gets hurt feelings, why would hatcheries change when their (uneducated) consumers are happy with the product.

Hatcheries are a business. The problem lies not with them but with the consumer. There are very few breeders and even fewer good ones, and then even less that have multiple variety and the space time and money to supply the public, let alone sexing the chicks because we all know that nobody ever wants cockerels.

A good way to start would be getting actual knowledgable people teaching classes in the community and educating people. I have attended local poultry classes and workshops that were taught by people who had the knowledge level of a 4H junior if that.

 

[maryhysong]

I have a newbie question. I just got 2 BCM babies. They have their feathers in. One has a white feather on her wing you can't see unless she stretches it out. The other one has white feathers underneath as well and you can see them from her backside. They have copper feathers in their neck and one has a blue sheen and the other green. They both have feathered legs/feet.

Are they suppose to have the white feathers? I am thinking they will lose them when they mount when older?



Not the best pics but it shows you both pullets and their white feathers. These babies are always on the move

Many BCM have one or two white wing feathers as youngsters. Experienced breeders say wait until they get their adult feathers at around 6 months before you cull for this as most of them will molt out. Join us on the Black Copper thread, loads of good info and experienced breeders to learn from

 

[heritagehabitatfarms]

The Sussex Club of America

Founded in 1903. Reorganized in 2013.

The Sussex Club of America supports and promotes all varieties of Sussex chickens in both large fowl and bantams. We support the American Poultry Association and stand in agreement with the American Standard of Perfection.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/786483/the-sussex-club-of-america

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Well, I finally found some "Mohawk V" RIR's! I was able to secure from RC RIR's from Dick Horstman's line (originally, but I didn't buy from him) and then I found some of these "heritage Mohawk V RIR's!" I'm not sure what will happen when I cross the two lines (my goal is exceptional RC's since SC's do not do well here in our winters)....but it should give me a bit of a project for a while. I wanted to honor my late great-grandfather, who used to breed RIR's and I wanted a bird that would do well free-ranging, survive in below zero and above 100 temps and have enough sense to be wary of predators.

Anyway, I have the RC RIR's in the 'bator now and two older (hatched in March) single-combs from that same line--I heard you need to have a single comb or a few in with the RC's for fertility? Anyway, the Mohawks, I'm buying a started pair. :O)

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

They read it on the internet Walt. That's a nice new color for a Plymouth Rock.

I have noticed how some folks do back flips over these weird off the wall colors and breeds from Europe.

But the biggest craze is the color of the egg shell and how people will pay so much money for six or twelve eggs from these chickens but not give the time of day for a old breed that's stuck in the corner yelling Help Me I am dying.

I agree. I have to admit, I was caught up in the color craze and the imported this/that for a while...but the market can only take so much and if you don't have the $2,000 + to invest in those first chicks or adults when they offered, you're SOL--because in just a few months, the 1st generation will be for sale and then the 2nd. Once the 2nd comes around, someone will be on eBay offering eggs for $19.99 for a dozen that two years ago, you couldn't touch for less than $150 for 1/2 dozen.

I do have a couple "fad breeds"--aka dun laceds which I'm not offering to the public yet and chocolate wyandottes (not imported stock)...but my main focus is (and has always been) rare breeds in need of help. I'm mainly focusing on Spangled Russian Orloffs (bantams and LF) and Black Sumatras at this time with some wyandotte bantams in several colors as well. I'm adding RC RIR's this year (for showing/hatching/selling next) and while I do regret selling my flock of Crevecoeurs--that made more room for my grow-out pens and (gasp) means I'll have an empty pen this fall....so I'm kind of on the hunt for something else to add, to work on...I am leaning back towards white (rosecomb) Dorkings again but I've had a heck of time getting any. I only know of two sources and one is sold out and the other won't share.

 

[NanaKat]

Thank you to those here who offer encouragement to protect, improve and promote a long standing breed by breeding to the SOP.
I appreciate the time you take to share your wisdom .

Using that knowledge gained on my flock of LF Columbian Wyandotte has resulted in better tails and combs this year. While still hatching from the pen, I have held back 13 from 75 from the first round of hatches. The final cull will occur by the end of the year.
My second flock of BBS Cochin is coming along nicely too.