Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[Fentress]

What is the difference between a Back Yard Chicken Person or a Person who says they are a Homesteader who wants to have chickens? Are most of them Feed Store Chicken People?
Do they make good Preservationists in Rare Breeds. Just a thought I got from a conservation on the phone with a old time chicken guy.

Not that I am big on definitions, but It can be fun. These are the classes of chicken people that I have idenitified, so far. Producers, Homesteaders, Breeders and then the Backyard Hobbyist. It will be interesting too see how many of the hobbyist stick around. I have already had someone come up to me and asked if I would take their chicks, because they forgot to check the deed restrictions in their neighborhood. Although, I am not a Producer I am a member of the APPPA, American Pastured Poultry Producers Association. They keep their chickens on grass (like I do) and know a lot about chickens. The Breeders on this forum know alot about chickens as well, but I do cringe when I see pictures of chickens in pens standing on dirt. I consider myself a Homesteader. For me what separates a Homesteader is that they eat their chickens. Do most breeders eat their chickens? In terms of breed preservation, Homesteaders I think would be good candidates. I am in the process of determing what a true dual purpose bird would be like and trying to find a breed or breeds to meet my needs. I am also appreciative of history and rural traditions. In general, I don't think a Homesteader is going to select as tightly to the SOP as a Breeder, but I would think tight enough to do the breed justice. Speculation on my part, still have a lot to learn.

"A lifetime should suffice" - Harvey Ussery

Mark

 

[Pathfinders]

The Zoo I work at adds canthaxathin to the Flamingo feed once a week. When I started working there 12 or so yrs ago we fed the Flamingos shrimp meal with ground raw sweet potatoes and canned beets. That was all, and they maintained their color well.
I feed my chickens baked sweet potatoes as a treat. They love it.
...
Guess I need to start by joining the APA, is it worth the money to buy the SOP? It kinda seems like it is out dated by the time it is printed. I think it's a little early to join breed clubs. Don't know much about the local club, I Don't intend to show for now, doesn't mean I cant have nice Chickens bred to SOP.

Sweet potatoes and beets, ok, worth a try! LOL

And oh my yes, as others have said, do not hesitate to get a SOP, worth their weight in gold, both versions (APA as well as ABA.)

 

[thedragonlady]

Sweet potatoes and beets, ok, worth a try! LOL

And oh my yes, as others have said, do not hesitate to get a SOP, worth their weight in gold, both versions (APA as well as ABA.)

Forgot to mention that I feed my Buffs soaked BOSS every day. The oil really helps their feathers hold their color , and the fiber is good for their gizzards. Mice, garter snakes, and eye of newt help too ! LOL !



Finally I'm not getting double posts running Chrome, which I hate.

 

[3riverschick]

Quote:

 

[Pozees]

Quote:
Maybe this is a story you've already told, but if not I would be interested in hearing (reading) it.

 

[BGMatt]

What is the difference between a Back Yard Chicken Person or a Person who says they are a Homesteader who wants to have chickens? Are most of them Feed Store Chicken People?
Do they make good Preservationists in Rare Breeds. Just a thought I got from a conservation on the phone with a old time chicken guy.

I'd think it would be the size of operation if you're dividing them up like that. I feel like a lot of homesteaders are probably feed store chicken people because to get started in big numbers it's plain cheaper. But also these type of people are going to be open to learning the benefits of purebred poultry and if educated could be fantastic preservationists for rare breeds due to the numbers involved. Backyard folk can be good preservationists too, but as is evident by looking around, many of them are feed store folk as well, and then you need to separate the breeders from the propagators....fortunately that's easy enough to tell. But if you took a good backyard breeder and an educated homesteader, the homesteader is probably better for preservation due to the numbers, but the backyarder (again assuming they're a real breeder and not the "oh what a pretty "roo"! Don't you just love these "girls"?" type) will probably have higher overall quality because they will have time to closely inspect every bird, due to both smaller numbers and specialization (I feel most of your homesteaders are also going to be growing a lot of other animals and crops so they will have less time to spend on the chickens because of that.)

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Can anyone tell me of any breeders of Heritage Speckled Sussex, I'd like to order some hatching eggs.

Thank you!

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Nice Fav's. They're definitely a good beginning!

Nice RIR's. Now, I'm assuming that the unevenness of color in them is due to juvenile plumage. I've never grown out RIRs of this caliber to recognize their plumage at this stage.

Thanks!

 

[3riverschick]

Quote: large fowl or bantam?

 

[cluck-cluck]

Cluck, are you considering tackling Crevecoeurs?


PS: And are you pretty hard-core?

I feel like I have farming in my blood, though I've lived in the city my whole life. I've always wanted to move to the country, but circumstances were never on my side. I can slaughter an animal, I've done so before, but as stated below, I'm a backyarder who has touchy neighbors. I'm trying to come up with a solution so that I could slaughter somewhere. Getting someone to let me, is another thing

I am legally allowed to have 3 roosters here, which should be plenty, but I'm doing strange things to appease my neighbors (keeping them in the house 90% of the time

It's not the worst though. Main problem, believe it or not, is that they like to scratch their food, therefore they make a mess around their food bowl that must be kept clean. I can raise cockerels until they start crowing, then choose who stays and slaughter the rest IF I can find a place to slaughter. I figure that's about 14 weeks. That is why I want a duel purpose bird.

........... If you push good feather quality you get maximum egg production.

Gosh, I learn so much from you! I didn't realize feather quality and egg production were related! Thank you!

What is the difference between a Back Yard Chicken Person or a Person who says they are a Homesteader who wants to have chickens? Are most of them Feed Store Chicken People?
Do they make good Preservationists in Rare Breeds. Just a thought I got from a conservation on the phone with a old time chicken guy.

Not that I am big on definitions, but It can be fun. These are the classes of chicken people that I have idenitified, so far. Producers, Homesteaders, Breeders and then the Backyard Hobbyist. It will be interesting too see how many of the hobbyist stick around. I have already had someone come up to me and asked if I would take their chicks, because they forgot to check the deed restrictions in their neighborhood. Although, I am not a Producer I am a member of the APPPA, American Pastured Poultry Producers Association. They keep their chickens on grass (like I do) and know a lot about chickens. The Breeders on this forum know alot about chickens as well, but I do cringe when I see pictures of chickens in pens standing on dirt. I consider myself a Homesteader. For me what separates a Homesteader is that they eat their chickens. Do most breeders eat their chickens? In terms of breed preservation, Homesteaders I think would be good candidates. I am in the process of determing what a true dual purpose bird would be like and trying to find a breed or breeds to meet my needs. I am also appreciative of history and rural traditions. In general, I don't think a Homesteader is going to select as tightly to the SOP as a Breeder, but I would think tight enough to do the breed justice. Speculation on my part, still have a lot to learn.

"A lifetime should suffice" - Harvey Ussery

Mark

Unfortunately, I'm a backyarder. To me, it means someone in the city or suburbs trying to make a go with lots of restraints. Usually only having laying hens. When I was a kid, my dad raised chinchillas, yah, a chinchilla farmer.... another "backyard" thing to do, but that is where I fell in love with learning about breeding. I spent my childhood caring for them, as my father repeatedly got sick, however some of my happiest times were spent with him choosing which to mate, and I did all the cleaning feeding and watering so I knew what the commitment was like for taking chickens on (d@mn easier I can tell ya!) I did this from age 11 until he died at 21. I always told him we should sell to the pet trade, but that was against the "rules" for chinchilla breeders (I've learned a lot about those people over the years, stupid!) They are great pets, but not where the temperatures get too high, unless air conditioned.

Anyway, yah, how long will I be at this? will I be successful? Considering it took 21 years to get my husband to let me keep chickens, I dunno! LOL. I will tell you I have more pressures on me than someone with acreage. I've worked hard to build strong coops and secure runs, and am still working on more. I have to keep neighbors happy too. So I'd be stupid to make promises that I'm gonna fix those Crevies! LOL. But whatever I do and get done, I'll certainly be enjoying myself!