Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[danhonour]

Some poultry people will not sell anything,but they are very few,most will help you out.I do find it helps to be patient as I do not always have stock available throughout the year.Over the winter I just keep the breeders and a few spares.After I get out my chicks,then some of the breerds are for sale,plus just prior to this I can sell some hatching eggs,but before long I need brooding space.Any breeders I do not need are then put into the freezer if not sold.Then I do not have anything for sale until late fall when some of the extra cockerels and pullets can be sold for breeding.I take a few orders (a deposit holds them)for such, during the late summer and early fall.So patience has its reward.Those demanding stock immediately ,often have to be directed elswhere.I always try to be nice and over the years have offered what I honestly thought was good helpful advice,if it was general or breeding questions.I just figured you never know who might be a future master breeder.

 

[saladin]

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Saladin, I hope that I wasn't being rude, because I sure don't mean to be. I know I ask more questions than a three year old, but I know of no other way to learn. And I hope all of you understand that I only ask questions of those whom I respect and trust to give me a correct answer. Do I always want to hear the truth?... no, of course not, I'm human, but I (and others like me just starting out) NEED to hear the truth. We NEED those of you with the knowledge, experiance and dedication to teach us and help us.
I seldom respond to your posts because to be frank, I'm a bit intimadated by those of you who are the experts. I've been slapped down a few times for asking a question and after a bit, even a thick skinned guy like me gets a little gun shy.

So again, if I have offended anyone or said anything out of line, I apoligize.

I'll go back to lurking and learning.

lol. missi,

Never took offense at a question that I recall. Actually, that is about the quickest way to become someone's friend: ask a question. An expert is someone with a briefcase who is 50 miles from home.

lol.

 

[heritagehabitatfarms]

Quote:
i really want to get Houdans they are one of my dream breeds... i bought hatching eggs from 2 people in 2010 and got 3 live chicks 2 died in the first week then the other one at 3 weeks old... they where just very week... the chicks i had them in with did just fine...

any one care to recommend a source for them???

 

[danhonour]

Yellow House Farm,I have said this before but I enjoy what you write,it is to the point and very well put.You remind me a bit of the poultrywriter and great breeder;Maurice C.Wallace (published PLUME for years and did the booklet MY LIFE IN THE FANCY). I do admit that sometimes I had to run to the dictionary because of his huge vocabulary.Another of my favorite poultry writers was John H.Robinson,he was very interesting and extremely educational and was able to do it in a style that easy to understand.I try to pattern myself a little along his line whenever I write anything.

I had to really laugh recently when a friend mentioned my name to a fancier,who replied "I know him,I love to read his writings,then added too bad he doesn't know anything". I guess we just cannot take ourselves to serious.

 

[CharlieVoda]

Duane Urch has had Houdans for 40 plus years. He has good birds. Many of his breed lines have been on his farm since the 1950,s.

Good luck with the birds
Charlie

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Called David with the Wyandotte club this morning. We talked for over an hour. Then about noon he called back and we talked for quite awhile again. Very nice fellow. Found out we had lots of mutual friends. More folks need to look at the Wyandottes. Lots of colors and an excellent choice for a Heritage breed.

 

[danhonour]

That post about the Houdan chicks dying,points out a good lesson.The first thing you want is vigor and good health.Your hands are tied if the stock is weak and unthrifty.The next think is egg production and fertility.Without these things you can not breed any line of fowl.Once you have vigor and you can select size,crests,color,and everything else.Houdans were a vigorous breed that grew good to a decent size and was well thought of as a meat fowl.You just know something is very wrong when the chicks are so weak they do not survive. Keep looking there is bound to be some stock around you can work with.

 

[punky rooster]

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What amazes me is how so many folks look at Leghorns and bantams and ask about what to do with their culls. How many raise quail? There is more meat on our Buckey Bantams than any quail I have ever seen. The cornishX is by far the most economical to raise for meat. You may have to place a bantam or small breed chicken in a slow cooker, but it is still good meat. I understand why folks ask. They have never slow cooked a couple of bantam roosters in a cream of chicken base.

Ingredients:

2 or 3 Bantam culls, dressed and cleaned
2 cans of Cream of Chicken soup
1 can Cream of Celery soup
1 cup of frozen Peas and Carrots
2 or 3 cups of rice (raw, instant or brown)
Salt or Seasoned salt to taste (Lawry's is best)

Place whole Bantams in slow cooker. In sepearte bowl mix soup and water per directions on can. Add salt or seasoned salt to soup. Stir soup with wisk. Add peas and carrots to soup. Add soup to slow cooker and cook on low for at least 2 hours. Add rice to slow cooker, spreading rice around chicken. Continue to slow cook until rice is fully cooked.

This recipe also works well with Leghorns, old hens and that mean rooster that just attacked your shins!

Punky, you will greatly enjoy eating the Buckeye Bantam. I would wait until they are at least 6-8 months old to cull. Then they will be nearly full size. Hope this recipe helps! My kids love any chicken cooked this way. On Sunday mornings we will start the chicken mix early and just before leaving for Sunday school will add the rice. When we get home dinner is ready!

Thanks Jim! I hope they are great!

 

[Yellow House Farm]

Quote:
Now doesn't that say it. I think we have become so accustomed to the big-box stores and insta-service hatcheries, that we forget that for farmers, it's a delicate equilibrium of swish and dodge. I seomtimes feel like it is a great dance from Feb with the first eggs through December with the last slaughter. January's for everything else. We get quite a few inquiries for pullets in the spring, and I begin the periennial lesson on seasonality.

 

[cowboygourmet]

Jen, you read it correctly ! Lol

Quote:
LOL, I read this as many are culled and few are Chosen!