Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[Robert Blosl]

Thanks cbnovick. Agree, much of what I hear is that many people really do enjoy the German and German-American NH's. Can someone tell me is there are a real difference in the color of the "pure" Germans vs the German-American crosses? I guess it would depend on the line used in the cross. I have read that the German birds are brighter or richer in color, unlike the Amercian birds are more drab.

Boy you hit the nail on the head. The old time NH guys like the American Color I guess and yet I like the German Color Maybe Walt or New York Reds could explane how far off the German shade or hue is to the American Standard.

I don't see any American Pure Breed NH that can come close to a German in the show. I saw one in Pensacola and posted Matts picture of him that took my breath away. I did not even recognized this bird as I thought he was drooped down here from Indiana to show and then latter found out he was a early hatched male that went into a molt early becsue of our heat.

Champion large fowl of one show and one of the best finished birds I ever saw in a show coop. Looked like every feather was ironed onto his body.

In regards to the three smaller Buff Rocks in Arizona. Boy Fred hit a home run on his comment. Those chicks are rare and so variable as breeders.

Think about it out of eleven of them there should be two or three that will not develop like the others because of the climate change. I bet if you shipped those three birds back to Tom and he raised them and shipped them back to you next March you could not tell the difference in them. Once they got back on his yard his food, water and climate they would take off like a rocket ship in size.

You have however, a good group of normal chicks growing. You only need one good male two or three female and you will have a army of Buff Rocks next year. If you got a partner near you share a male and a female or two with them just in case you have bad luck and loose a bird somehow. You might be able to share a third pair with someone.


They look great and regardless what you do with the three small ones they may lay a good size egg and have normal chicks for someone. I would try to farm them out to someone and see how they do next spring.

 

[cbnovick]

Thanks cbnovick. Agree, much of what I hear is that many people really do enjoy the German and German-American NH's. Can someone tell me is there are a real difference in the color of the "pure" Germans vs the German-American crosses? I guess it would depend on the line used in the cross. I have read that the German birds are brighter or richer in color, unlike the Amercian birds are more drab.

I posted his photo previously on this thread but in case you missed it, for comparison to your pure German males, here's a 5 1/2 month old male I hatched...he's half good shepherd NH and half german (sire side)...he's got a ways to go with filling in yet...but a definite prospective breeding male.

On the females...I believe the difficulty insofar as color is achieving the SOP black ticking on hackles...

 

[cbnovick]

Boy you hit the nail on the head. The old time NH guys like the American Color I guess and yet I like the German Color Maybe Walt or New York Reds could explane how far off the German shade or hue is to the American Standard.

I don't see any American Pure Breed NH that can come close to a German in the show. I saw one in Pensacola and posted Matts picture of him that took my breath away. I did not even recognized this bird as I thought he was drooped down here from Indiana to show and then latter found out he was a early hatched male that went into a molt early becsue of our heat.

Champion large fowl of one show and one of the best finished birds I ever saw in a show coop. Looked like every feather was ironed onto his body.

In regards to the three smaller Buff Rocks in Arizona. Boy Fred hit a home run on his comment. Those chicks are rare and so variable as breeders.

Think about it out of eleven of them there should be two or three that will not develop like the others because of the climate change. I bet if you shipped those three birds back to Tom and he raised them and shipped them back to you next March you could not tell the difference in them. Once they got back on his yard his food, water and climate they would take off like a rocket ship in size.

You have however, a good group of normal chicks growing. You only need one good male two or three female and you will have a army of Buff Rocks next year. If you got a partner near you share a male and a female or two with them just in case you have bad luck and loose a bird somehow. You might be able to share a third pair with someone.


They look great and regardless what you do with the three small ones they may lay a good size egg and have normal chicks for someone. I would try to farm them out to someone and see how they do next spring.

Bob, thanks so much for your input...
I was very unsure being a 'newbie' in SOP breeding...so, I felt I had better hit up this thread's wisdom

...I will keep the 'three stooges' for awhile and 'farm' them out locally and check back on development. They may be late bloomers...but living in AZ I must consider those that bloom despite heat...perhaps if hatched in winter as I normally would do, maybe I would not have had three lesser than ideal chicks...or they really could be outliers too. time will tell...so, I am giving them time and a chance especially due to the rarity of this variety.

 

[catdaddyfro]

Hi, Yes, from what I was told pure German NH, F2s. Took a couple of pictures with my phone this evening as I let them out to mill around in the grass. A friend got these for me in the late spring. April hatch sometime. Wish I had more of these. But I have 2 cockerels and 2 pullets to work with. I really like them. They have a lot of vigor, energy, growing like weeds. Just thought I post a pic or 2 just to see what others thought of them. It's difficult to submit a pic post from a phone.

These are a joy to raise up and be around for sure and are absolutely beautiful on top of all that goodness LOL

Jeff

 

[fowlman01]

The differences between the old NH and the German NH seems to be the color. the German birds sometimes look a bit brownish instead of the bright chestnut of the old US NH's.Online it really seems that way, but now that I have these I can see that some do look brownish (getting rid of those) but most are very close to the old school NH's. Some of mine have a bit of the US blood in them and I expect a lot of the "German" birds do as well. I don't think many people are really keeping track of what blood/line they have.

I am making mine look like the US type in color because that is what the Standard says, but I am keeping the German body structure as that seems superior to what we have left here today in the States. The first batch of young this year seems to have quickly become brighter in color and .....no stubs!! I got some chicks from Kathy this year and she has improved the color and etc as well. I expect to see these giving the red and white birds a hard time in the American Class this year. There are several folks doing a great job raising them They are the breed to watch out for in the American class. They hatch like popcorn!

Walt

 

[cbnovick]

The differences between the old NH and the German NH seems to be the color. the German birds sometimes look a bit brownish instead of the bright chestnut of the old US NH's.Online it really seems that way, but now that I have these I can see that some do look brownish (getting rid of those) but most are very close to the old school NH's. Some of mine have a bit of the US blood in them and I expect a lot of the "German" birds do as well. I don't think many people are really keeping track of what blood/line they have.

I am making mine look like the US type in color because that is what the Standard says, but I am keeping the German body structure as that seems superior to what we have left here today in the States. The first batch of young this year seems to have quickly become brighter in color and .....no stubs!! I got some chicks from Kathy this year and she has improved the color and etc as well. I expect to see these giving the red and white birds a hard time in the American Class this year. There are several folks doing a great job raising them They are the breed to watch out for in the American class. They hatch like popcorn!

Walt

great post as always!! I can attest that hatching vigor is truly analogous to popcorn!!! Mine came out thirsty and hungry on the spot too...despite big 'ol yolk sac absorption...LOVE that!

 

[Robert Blosl]

thanks walt makes sense. I think in three to five years it will be one of the top dual purpose breeds for people. With the cross you sure do not have to worry about inbreeding which is what got us in a pickle in the past ten years. Great breed for beginners of course those Red Chickens are better.

By the way Walt this old guy went to a AD DC Van Halen's and KISS tribute concert last night in Orange Beach and I saw a guy with a T shirt that Said RED ROCK got my wheels starting turning about making me a new t shirt to promote those new breed of Chickens. Red Rocks RULE?


post #14021 of 14027

can you be leave that many post in 2 years and 11 months. WOW

 

[cbnovick]

Bob, love your avatar!!

 

[fowlman01]

thanks walt makes sense. I think in three to five years it will be one of the top dual purpose breeds for people. With the cross you sure do not have to worry about inbreeding which is what got us in a pickle in the past ten years. Great breed for beginners of course those Red Chickens are better.

By the way Walt this old guy went to a AD DC Van Halen's and KISS tribute concert last night in Orange Beach and I saw a guy with a T shirt that Said RED ROCK got my wheels starting turning about making me a new t shirt to promote those new breed of Chickens. Red Rocks RULE?


post #14021 of 14027

can you be leave that many post in 2 years and 11 months. WOW

Rock on Bob!!

Yes, the NH's is a great breed for beginners. It is at such a high level of quality at the moment that almost anyone can do well with them as long as they pay attention to culling...and cull hard. people will stand in line to get the culls. You can't sell the eggs for $75.00 each like some of these "exotic" imports, but the NH's are much better birds all around.

Did you behave yourself at the concert Bob.......?

w.

 

[cbnovick]

By the way Walt this old guy went to a AD DC Van Halen's and KISS tribute concert last night in Orange Beach and I saw a guy with a T shirt that Said RED ROCK got my wheels starting turning about making me a new t shirt to promote those new breed of Chickens. Red Rocks RULE?

Great idea, Bob....& I might get one printed that says "Blondes Rocks Have More Fun"