Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[HallFamilyFarm]

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Where are you located in Louisana? We are in Monticello, Arkansas, about an hour north of Bastrop, LA. We also have Orpingtons in Bantam and Large Fowl. Colors are Buff, Black, Blue, Splash and Self Blue.

Jim

 

[Yellow House Farm]

If Javas become your interest, you won't have too much trouble finding stock. Monte Bowen, VP of the SPPA is a Java breeder, and he's located in Kansas.

 

[jovy1097]

Jim,
I've noticed all your posts on this and other sites and have seen pictures of your stock. You are on my radar!

I live in Simmesport, LA, quite a bit away from the Arkansas line. You'll have to look up Simmesport to find out where it is - it's too hard describe its location in words!

So back to my original question: What are some of the easier breeds to start with in heritage fowl? I've heard Buff Orpington, White Plymouth Rock, Black Austrolorp. Any others?

 

[OSUman]

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White Leghorns would be good if you want to show the birds also, as there are a decent amount of good ones out there too.

 

[lildinkem]

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Leghorns are good. Alot of dedicated breeders. Also Rhode Islands are great too. Both are good heritage breeds with lots of great breeders. I can reccommend a good person in each. Several in Rhode Islands

 

[OSUman]

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Also if you want White Plymouth Rocks, Steve Jones out of Oklahoma has some really good ones. And he has Buff Orpingtons too.

I meant Terry Britt not Steve Jones

 

[saladin]

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In the area that you're in, I would suggest Old English Game Large Fowl. You don't get much older than that (unlike the one's you've mentioned which are fairly recent in origin in comparison: the Game being more than 2,500 years old). Many Show Quality Old English Games originated from American Games that were bred to the Old English Standard. That said, there are several excellent breeders of Old English Lg Fowl that are not far from you. Of course, with the ability to ship birds it really doesn't matter where they are located.

Games can take the heat and humidity of the deep South, lay well, and can also provide a good quality eating bird in addition to being game. For the quality of their meat none are better; they have their equals, but none surpass them.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Whenever someone ask me what breed they should get, I advise them to check out http://www.ideal-poultry.com website. Not to purchase, but to take advantage of the prints and descriptions. Its cheaper than buying a copy of the Standard of Perfection. If you are serious about getting exhibition quality, then buy a copy of the Standard of Perfection at http://www.amerpoultryassn.com/APA_ShoppingMall3.htm

I tell my 4H members to choose the color, body type, egg color etc they want. Study the breeds. Start with one or two. You can do more with one or two than with several. Build coops for the birds BEFORE you acquire them. Get everything ready. Then buy the best you can afford. Spend $100 for a pair of quality birds instead of $50 on hatchery chicks. When you decide on the breed you want, we will help you locate them. It is better to become an expert in one breed than a general practitioner of many.

FYI: Steve Jones is in Poetry, Texas.

We would love to help you get started with Orpingtons. But are Orpingtons what you want. Find a breed type that appeals to you. Rose comb or single comb. Yellow shanks or white shanks. Clean shanks or feathered.

As a novice, understand that no question is stupid except the one you fail to ask.

This summer we took a road trip to Valcheri, LA to deliver a livestock guardian dog. We drove back through Alexandria to Shreveport to pick up some birds. Was just a few miles from Simmesport. Its not that far up here. We are having several shows near here this spring. Maybe you can drive up and take a look at some quality birds.

 

[jovy1097]

Jim,
I am seriously looking at Buff Orpingtons as a possibility and might pick your brain about them in the future. Several times a year I go up Hwy 65 enroute to Conway, AR, to visit my sisters who live there. I believe that puts me passing pretty close to where you are located.

I intend to get a SOP before getting in too deep in this endeavor. I also intend to have facilities set up before ever getting too far into this. I'd love to attend some shows to get a good look at quality chickens. Are shows fun for kids to attend too? I'd like for my children to be involved.

I don't intend to have more than one type of SQ chicken. I simply don't have room for many varieties. I don't have the space for hundreds of chickens. Is it possible for me to raise quality birds if I don't keep more than several dozen max?

 

[OSUman]

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If you want some info on Buff Orpingtons you should join the United Orpington Club. there alot of experienced breeders in the club that would be more than willing to help you out with both info and with birds.