Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[BLT79]

Ok, so you like black and white birds with barring. That's a great start .
Dominiques Compared to Barred Plymouth Rocks
http://dominiquechicken.com/Dominiques_and_Barred_Rocks.html
Best,
Karen

thank you for that info.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Can anyone please answer a question for me? I had been doing some research on BYC trying to figure out where to buy my birds. The first ones I bought from the feed stores.
Then I tried some breeders. One breeder sent me a bird that I did not know what it was till just last week and that was 4 months ago. Then another breeder sold me some JG and one has brown specks all around her neck and the others are suppose to have red combs but mine are black! I ordered some birds the other day from a hatchery! I thought I would at least get what I wanted.
I don't know what to do!

There are tons of people who breed. Well, what they mostly do is propagate. Most are propagating hatchery quality stuff. It just is what it is. It takes time to know the real breeders from the propagators. Patience. Hatcheries can deliver quickly and feed stores have chicks to take home, but you won't ever get the birds that are discussed and displayed here on this thread.

In a world where folks get used to Fast food, Fast Photos, Fast everything....... 4G, instant gratification kind of thing. With these rare, gorgeous, real-deal birds it simply takes time. Most true breeders of these birds only mate up their birds in late winter to early spring. That's it. Poultry shows are mainly held in autumn and many breeders take birds to sell. It takes time to know the wheat and separate the chaff. It's a test. It takes time to develop a relationship with the right people, who in most cases, don't advertise, don't have websites and don't even use the internet all that much.

Since it takes gobs of patience to grow these birds and breed them intelligently, the patience training begins before one even gets them. We feel blessed to have migrated from hatchery type stock to full bred, heritage birds over the last 3 years. We have some of the best Rocks and Reds in existence to get started with. It has taken three years to complete the transition and I'm still waiting for White Rocks, LOL. So, you can see I'm preaching to myself here as well.

 

[BLT79]

Oh this is just a stunning idea, BLT79! The APA National is like the Westminster Dog show, but for poultry. http://www.poultrycongress.com/ ( Jan. 18,18, 2014)
People come (or send their birds with handlers) from all over the nation and Canada. You will see top birds from the breeds in which you are interested. Get to see what a real quality bird looks like. The Boston Poultry Expo is a storied show. Very rich history. Started in 1849, it is America's first and oldest poultry show. http://www.bostonpoultryexpo.com/ Fall Show November 3rd & 4th, 2012 .
Best
Karen

Sounds like a really good idea! Not in any rush to add to the flock right now, so have time to explore options and maybe attend the Springfield show!!! Thanks everyone!

 

[BLT79]

Sounds like a really good idea! Not in any rush to add to the flock right now, so have time to explore options and maybe attend the Springfield show!!! Thanks everyone!

they don't have a 2013 date listed yet!

 

[chickadoodles]

The best thing to do is to hang out on the breed thread(s) for the breeds you want. Find someone there that is willing to sell you some. Often you can find someone close to you. Other times you can find someone that is going to a Poultry show in your area where you can arrange to meet them and get birds or hatching eggs from them.

For the one with the black comb, check to see if the seller has a black combed breed at their place.

Thank you Ron! I will start doing that! As for the breeder that sold me the JG she will not talk to me. She found out I got NPIP tested and she would not even honor her commitment to give me a replacement of a turkey for the one she sold me that died.... Oh well live and learn. No biggie. I can still send them to freezer camp.

 

[chickadoodles]

There are tons of people who breed. Well, what they mostly do is propagate. Most are propagating hatchery quality stuff. It just is what it is. It takes time to know the real breeders from the propagators. Patience. Hatcheries can deliver quickly and feed stores have chicks to take home, but you won't ever get the birds that are discussed and displayed here on this thread.

In a world where folks get used to Fast food, Fast Photos, Fast everything....... 4G, instant gratification kind of thing. With these rare, gorgeous, real-deal birds it simply takes time. Most true breeders of these birds only mate up their birds in late winter to early spring. That's it. Poultry shows are mainly held in autumn and many breeders take birds to sell. It takes time to know the wheat and separate the chaff. It's a test. It takes time to develop a relationship with the right people, who in most cases, don't advertise, don't have websites and don't even use the internet all that much.

Since it takes gobs of patience to grow these birds and breed them intelligently, the patience training begins before one even gets them. We feel blessed to have migrated from hatchery type stock to full bred, heritage birds over the last 3 years. We have some of the best Rocks and Reds in existence to get started with. It has taken three years to complete the transition and I'm still waiting for White Rocks, LOL. So, you can see I'm preaching to myself here as well.

Thank you Fred's Hens. I am learning that, some the hard way! lol I know that my birds are not going to do it all over night. And mostly I am in it for raising the turkey at this point. But I would like some nice quality birds. I fell in love with the Barnvelder when I first saw it! I would love to find someone that has very nice ones that lay the beautiful dark brown eggs! I don't just want the name! I want the real deal!
I tried joining some of the poultry pages on Face Book looking for breeders. But like you said they are just propagating the birds.
Thank you for your help and advice! I do appreciate it very much! Cheryl

 

[thedragonlady]

Can anyone please answer a question for me? I had been doing some research on BYC trying to figure out where to buy my birds. The first ones I bought from the feed stores.
Then I tried some breeders. One breeder sent me a bird that I did not know what it was till just last week and that was 4 months ago. Then another breeder sold me some JG and one has brown specks all around her neck and the others are suppose to have red combs but mine are black! I ordered some birds the other day from a hatchery! I thought I would at least get what I wanted.
I don't know what to do!

What breed are you looking for ? There are a lot of good breeders on this thread. There is a difference between propagators and breeders who breed to the Standard of Perfection, as the breeders on this thread do.

 

[3riverschick]

Quote: oh, that's a real good'un, Dragonlady! The set was the first 3 Volumes of the American Collie Champions (pictorial) series.
Best,
Karen

 

[3riverschick]

Quote: No,
Thanks for asking. I will be at Columbus, OH instead.
Best,
Karen

 

[Lorien]

WALT WHAT KIND OF CHICKEN IS THAT IN lORIENS AVITAR? ITS NOT A SERAUMA. LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING FROM SOUTH AMERICA? BOB

Yes, Muscovy. They are awesome fly and mosquito eating machines. And really tasty too.