Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[Chris09]

Quote:
I know the guy that has it (showed poultry with him) and he is getting out of poultry.
He said that it holds 400 chicken eggs and works. We'll see what it's like, I have been running a foam incubator and started to build a cabinet incubator that is very close to the Sprotsman.

Chris

 

[centrarchid]

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Go with Buckeyes. Better foragers, and do better in free range conditions....

Buckeyes we are considering already. It does not appear we will be able to acquire all chicks we need as a single breed. Likely four breeds will be required. Still considering which ones to use.

 

[Cydney83]

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Lots of folks in OH have Buckeyes. As well as those of us in KY, and a lot of other states!

It's getting late in the year to have chicks shipped, I've actually turned my incubator off and am shipping the last four batches of chicks today. Where in NY are you?

And you should check out the Buckeye breed thread here in BYC as well: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=6374647#p6374647

Goodness I hope I didn't insult anyone.....I just was reading and trying to remember everything and looking for Buckeyes and remembered I had seen a person with them...I now know there is a thread....I live in central NY..near Utica and Syracuse...I did see someone near me has them....I email mailed but didn't get a response...I did order some from someone and 2 hatched.! so happy...they are very sweet and quite...hope to add more...

 

[punky rooster]

Quote:
Go with Buckeyes. Better foragers, and do better in free range conditions....

Buckeyes we are considering already. It does not appear we will be able to acquire all chicks we need as a single breed. Likely four breeds will be required. Still considering which ones to use.

Buckeyes will probably be your best bet. Mrs. Nettie Metcalf selected for them to be active & work around the farm not just sit in front of the feed bucket and eat. They are noted as the most active America breed, so would make a nice choice for free range conditions.

Rocks & Delawares would also be good choices.

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
Buckeyes we are considering already. It does not appear we will be able to acquire all chicks we need as a single breed. Likely four breeds will be required. Still considering which ones to use.

Buckeyes will probably be your best bet. Mrs. Nettie Metcalf selected for them to be active & work around the farm not just sit in front of the feed bucket and eat. They are noted as the most active America breed, so would make a nice choice for free range conditions.

Rocks & Delawares would also be good choices.

Delewares already at very top of list but having trouble finding a supplier that can provide 400 chicks as a group.

Major opjective of this project is to determine if different breeds vary in foraging / ranging habits as they are touted to be.

 

[fifelakelooper]

First time checking out this thread....is there a list posting the breeds that would be considered Heritage Large fowl ?(taking into consideration the way they were mated, etc. as noted on yesterdays thread.)

 

[buffalogal]

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If that's the purpose, I don't understand why would you want them to all be from one breeder? I'd think a minimum of four breeders would be a better sampling of the overall breed characteristics , and if you could get them from eight sources, so much the better.

 

[gjensen]

Quote:
Buckeyes will probably be your best bet. Mrs. Nettie Metcalf selected for them to be active & work around the farm not just sit in front of the feed bucket and eat. They are noted as the most active America breed, so would make a nice choice for free range conditions.

Rocks & Delawares would also be good choices.

Delewares already at very top of list but having trouble finding a supplier that can provide 400 chicks as a group.

Major opjective of this project is to determine if different breeds vary in foraging / ranging habits as they are touted to be.

I have always noted the behavior differences from strain to strain within breeds. I have had a strain of Barred Rocks that were average foragers, and one that I think forage remarkably well. I have a group of New Hampshires that are great foragers and are assertive competitiors. I am playing with a new group, and though beautiful and calm do not range far and do not appear that they will make what I would call good foragers. They just are not active enough. All of my Delewares have been active and make relatively good foragers.
I took the boy's fishing the other morning, and what is the first thing we see? A small flock of game mixes out ranging. I was very impressed with their range. They must have been near 750' to 850' from their "home", and moving fast. I enjoyed watching the speed in which they hit spot to spot. Apparently they had learned to hit the different fishing and camping sites looking for tasties. I wish that I had that kind of area to allow my birds to forage. I only have a couple acres with neighbors (and dogs). My lot is narrow. If things change, I will probably become interested in something else.
I agree that Buckeyes probably are the best bet as far as American dual purpouse breeds.

 

[X2Farm]

Curious, has anyone heard from Bob Blosl lately? I'd emailed him a few times, but no response and I wasn't sure if he was in the path of any of the bama tornadoes or he's just been busy. Just wonderin if he's doin alright.

 

[centrarchid]

Getting that many birds of the same breed from different breeders at same time all but impossible. All birds must be same age for trial.

You are correct, multiple sources has more scientific merit.