Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[cluck-cluck]

Lacy Blues, I also ferment my feed, but I find that all they want to eat are the chunks of corn! Especially the boys, they are the worst. Sometimes I feel like just feeding them scratch, it'd save me money!

catdaddyfro, sounds like what they do to ducks. My husband's chicken paté probably tastes so goog because of the butter he adds

 

[mithious]

Hello Bob,
Good to see you here again.

I feel the same as Matt Lhamon on this term and it is getting to be a new marketing term to get people to raise some of the old breeds. Here is the ALBC "Definition of a Heritage Chicken" -
Definition:
Heritage Chicken must adhere to all the following:
1. APA Standard Breed. Heritage Chicken must be from parent and grandparent stock of breeds recognized by the American Poultry Association (APA) prior to the mid-20th century; whose genetic line can be traced back multiple generations; and with traits that meet the APA Standard of Perfection guidelines for the breed. Heritage Chicken must be produced and sired by an APA Standard breed. Heritage eggs must be laid by an APA Standard breed.
2. Naturally mating. Heritage Chicken must be reproduced and genetically maintained through natural mating. Chickens marketed as Heritage must be the result of naturally mating pairs of both grandparent and parent stock.
3. Long, productive outdoor lifespan. Heritage Chicken must have the genetic ability to live a long, vigorous life and thrive in the rigors of pasture-based, outdoor production systems. Breeding hens should be productive for 5-7 years and roosters for 3-5 years.
4. Slow growth rate. Heritage Chicken must have a moderate to slow rate of growth, reaching appropriate market weight for the breed in no less than 16 weeks. This gives the chicken time to develop strong skeletal structure and healthy organs prior to building muscle mass.
Chickens marketed as Heritage must include the variety and breed name on the label.
Terms like “heirloom,” “antique,” “old-fashioned,” and “old timey” imply Heritage and are understood to be synonymous with the definition provided here.
Abbreviated Definition: A Heritage Egg can only be produced by an American Poultry Association Standard breed. A Heritage Chicken is hatched from a heritage egg sired by an American Poultry Association Standard breed established prior to the mid-20th century, is slow growing, naturally mated with a long productive outdoor life.
The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy has over 30 years of experience, knowledge, and understanding of endangered breeds, genetic conservation, and breeder networks.
Endorsed by the following individuals:
Frank Reese, Reese Turkeys, Good Shepherd Turkey Ranch, Standard Bred Poultry Institute, and American Poultry Association;
Marjorie Bender, Research & Technical Program Director, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
D. Phillip Sponenberg, DVM, PhD., Technical Advisor, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, and Professor, Veterinary Pathology and Genetics, Virginia Tech;
Don Bixby, DVM. Independent Consultant, former Executive Director for the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy;
R. Scott Beyer, PhD, Associate Professor, Poultry Nutrition Management, Kansas State University,
Danny Williamson, Windmill Farm, Good Shepherd Turkey Ranch, and American Poultry Association;
Anne Fanatico, PhD, Research Associate, Center for Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas;
Kenneth E. Anderson, Professor, Poultry Extension Specialist, North Carolina State University.

Do any of you have any of these rare breeds?

Rhode Island Reds and Dominiques

Chris​

I am looking to go on a waiting list for next spring for some Good Shepherd/Frank Reese Barred Plymouth Rock chicks. If anyone can help, please PM me? Thanks soo much!!! Laurie/Mithious

 

[mithious]

Oh, I live in NH, just incase someone has this line here! Thanks again! Laurie/Mithious

 

[Robert Blosl]

Here is a picture from the standard to compare. I often wonder if there may be some Wyandotte blood in these New Hampshire's . However its just one strain of American New Hampshire's out there they may be a few more. I bet they will taste good however as that is what they are breed for more than anything.

 

[Pozees]

This is completely off topic and I apologize in advance. I believe there is a member of this thread who is an arborist or certified nursery specialist, and I don't remember whom. I have a cottonwood tree DH just cut down because it is completely infected with cytospora canker. The fungus is all the way down at the bottom of the tree, so presumably reaches into the roots even. If we pour fungicide in the remaining trunk (about 2 inches above surface) will it kill what is still there, and can we then reuse the hole if we dig up the roots? If anyone knows, please PM me, so as not to tie up the thread. Thanks.

Judi

 

[Eggcessive]

I posted this on the Heritage RIR thread, but meant to post it here. It would be very interesting to see your pictures of your coops and pens that your heritage birds are in. I have very few friends who have chickens, and have been wanting to get some ideas. My chicken coop is overflowing right now, and I have an old barn that needs to be predator-proofed, but would like to use this for my heritage birds.

 

[Lacy Blues]

Originally posted by YellowHouseFarms: Lacy, do you have any photos of your RC RIR bantams. They have my curiosity lately.


Here you go:


This is the first rose combed rhode island red that I received from Lacy Greer. His back was not angled as shown in the picture. It looks that way because he is standing on the side of a hill. You can see the house at the top of the picture, so you see, the hill is pretty steep.


This one is better. He must have found a somewhat flat spot to stand on.

 

[Lacy Blues]

Following is he only shot that I have of the above cock's sire. Sorry for the poor picture through wire but if you click to enlarge it, it pretty easy to see him even with the wire in the way.





This is one of the pullets I received.

 

[Lacy Blues]

The rest of these shots are of birds that I bred from what I received. You can tell I had NO IDEA what I was doing as there was a fairly sharp and drastic decline in quality.





The two above shots are the same bird.



The above was my favorite cockerel of the birds I bred.






The above cockerel was very small but his attitude wasn't. He was a complete bully to other birds, male and female but a sweetheart to me.

This little stroll down memory lane reminds me how much I really liked these little birds. In the future, I may get some again. Maybe next time I will do better with them if I am able to get on this thread and have some help from all you masterful breeders.

I only have a pair of these little birds left. They're in pretty poor condition right now so no photos. Perhaps I can get photos of one that hatched last year and came out with a single comb. She is currently fostering a Golden Campine chick of my daughter's.

One thing I have noticed with this breed's attitude that is completely opposite of my expectations is that the cockerels can be absolute maniacs. Vicious and hard to get a long with. Then, if you give them a few pullets (or even one) their attitude changes so very drastically. They do a 180 in their temperament. They become sweethearts almost overnight. A few take a great deal of handling to keep them gentle but overall, I like them a lot and they have good attitudes. Very friendly little birds. I recommend them highly.

Perhaps Walt has some pictures of his that he can share?

 

[fowlman01]

If you know someone with turkeys, that would be the quickest way to hopefully cut this off at the knees! Hurry!

This does work, but on this property the turkeys end up dying. Sometimes turkeys and chickens don't do well together, other places they do fine. All you need is the turkey manure. Mareks is everywhere, so until your flock has acquired immunity, it can be a problem. I don't do anything here to prevent Mareks or anything else for that matter other than reasonable management. No meds, no vaccines. We are blessed here In CA though.....some places you might have to vaccinate for some of the local problems.

All the weak birds here died a long time ago. The average age of the chickens here is 9-10 years and the waterfowl much higher. A hen turkey lasts about 3-4 months here and the toms up to 9 months.

Walt