Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[catdaddyfro]

Reese/Jwhip/KathyinMo



Here's two cockerels to look at. The one in the center, facing the camera. His legs weren't quite as bad as the photo shows because the click caught him shifting his weight. Nonetheless, he was culled and didn't make the final round of selection.

The other cockerel on the far right is worth noting. Hopefully you can see just nicely he is stationed. We liked this guy enough that he became our Beta, or #2 breeder. His leg stance wasn't the only reason, but it sure helped his chances.

The little cockerel, sort of hiding behind the pullet on the lower left? Look how small he was. But we never lost track of him. He wasn't even in the running for selection until his 10th or 11th month. Then? KaBOOM. He just exploded. I think a lot of folks not used to the way these birds mature might have culled him as a runt.

I noticed the same thing with my bunch of BRs I got from Mrs. Kathy and yes number 1 at and early age later got sold as just a flock rooster as he moved down the chain as some of the others surpassed him. It sort of reminded me of musical chairs the way (out of 6) they all ended up being switched around from the begining. I have one that started out as #6 now as 2, and 2nd as 1 and 3rd is still third in line. I got rid of the others as I never saw where they were to be used in breeding forward. Still awaiting my first experience of hatching out some from my choice breeders, I think this will be a test of really seeing if I have a clue at what should be placed with what, I don't see this with the NHs they are easy(not much wrong to fix) compared to these guys and the Reds IMO j/s

Jeff

 

[Apdeb]

Look for the buxom girls. If I were to fault your avatar, I would want a deeper , more buxom chest. That's where the meat is. I have chicks now in my brooder who need names, but I've run out of buxom ladies past to name them. Any help here guys?

 

[3riverschick]

Quote: Mae West ; Madame de Pompadour

 

[armorfirelady]

Reese/Jwhip/KathyinMo



beautiful birds Fred. I love the distinct barring. I have a 12 week old pullet that came from someones line I cant remember the name though. I keep watching her to see if her barring wont be so smudged. Her stance according to what you say here is ok so far. Her feet semm big for her.

She does have some grey on the top of her feet. I haven't read the SOP to see if that's ok or not. I just have a small backyard flock & I don't plan on showing. I just wanted a few different kinds of birds for my flock but ones that were not straight from the hatchery.

I just lurk here but enjoy everything I have learned. Maybe someday if I move to the country I can focus on better birds for my flock. Thank you to all the old timers who share their knowledge. I have learned a lot in the last year as I lurk

 

[Fred's Hens]

She is a pretty pullet. The charcoal smudge on the leg fronts and fee is normal for the breed. She has a beauty and a grace to her. I like her a lot and you will love having her. The barring is pretty good, although far from being that distinct, clean barring of the Heritage bird.

My guess is that she will become one of your favorites and someday, as you say, you'll be able to have some top notch birds, but if this is your first Barred Rock, you never forget your first time.

 

[armorfirelady]

She is a pretty pullet. The charcoal smudge on the leg fronts and fee is normal for the breed. She has a beauty and a grace to her. I like her a lot and you will love having her. The barring is pretty good, although far from being that distinct, clean barring of the Heritage bird.

My guess is that she will become one of your favorites and someday, as you say, you'll be able to have some top notch birds, but if this is your first Barred Rock, you never forget your first time.

She is my first BR. She honks instead of regular chicken noises I am used to. Very, very fast on her feet. She is the first to grab fruit or veggies tossed out & then takes off to get away from the others honking as she runs. She will even take food from the other pullets mouths. She is the youngest of the pullets I got in May but she has not allowed that to slow her down. Her & my BCM pullet (her buddy who you can see behind her in this pick) love to put their heads down and zoom around the yard at one another. Quite a sight to see. She is not very personable with me but I don't regularly pick up my hens/pullets for sitting on my lap. She does know if I come out there is probably a yummy treat and will come near me. I do try to inspect them at night to check for full crops, injuries, etc. She loves to peck at me if I try to touch her but I am able to grab her if she is roosted.
I am truly enjoying her.

 

[3riverschick]

Quote: I agree with YHF.
Without proper station ( as defined above), I cannot have a proper bird. Personally, for me it is key to a proper bird. In Sussex,
if I could only select for one thing, it would be "station". Because in Sussex, the station is so closely aligned
with production qualities, " if it isn't stationed like Sussex, it is not a Sussex."
Best,
Karen

 

[chickadoodles]

What issue is this, the latest one? (NB: I write a regular bi-monthly column for Backyard Poultry Mag, as part of an agreement with them to permit the ABA to get a free ad every month.) I'll go check my latest issue to see if I can find it, and if I can, I'll scan it.

And DO NOT get me started on what Ideal considers a purebred chicken. Had a long phone chat with the owner several years ago regarding their "Dutch Bantams" (which just flat out aren't), and he told me he considers a bird to be purebred at F5 after being crossed.

Um, no. Sorry, but no.

Hello Pathfinders. Please forgive my ignorance, I am new to poultry. I am reading everything I can find trying to learn all I can. Can you please tell me what is F5? Please explain so a newbie can understand.Thank you

 

[Fred's Hens]

Karen, I've hatched lots and lots of birds over the years that had the back line and all the rest and it just is so disappointing to notice that the legs are way too close together or worse, the knock-knee thing.

Again, each to his own, but if the bird has nice leg positioning, postured properly front to back, and set on that nice wide stance? I'd just about bet the rest falls into place.

Wynette, if that knock knee boy is all you got? Whatcha gonna do, eh? Find the hen(s) with the double fisted leg width and stout stance and hope she hears "the call of the hen" and throws a few better chicks to go forward?

 

[Fred's Hens]

You younger folks understand I-Phones, I-Pads and I-Pods with all their Gen 1, Gen 2, Gen 3, Gen 4, and Gen 5, right?