Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[HallFamilyFarm]

We started https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/613857/the-american-orpington-fanciers-thread for those wishing to breed towards the American Standard of Perfection for Orpingtons.

Here is the Orp. thread.

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You can order a copy of the SOP at http://www.amerpoultryassn.com/APA_ShoppingMall3.htm

The New 2010 Standard of Perfection

Regular 2010 Edition Price $59.00

ashadvine,
Have you looked at Plymouth Rocks for your Dual Purpose breed. My Columbians ( from Yard full o' rocks) started laying at 25 weeks and they are very meaty.
I recently aquired some Barred Rocks that came from JWhip and even at 10 weeks it is evident that they are going to be very thickly built.
If they lay well they would be a good dual purpose choice also.

Ron

Ron, Back off.

She said she was looking at Orpingtons!

You Rock

and Red

fellows get all the good ones.

You have totally defiled innocents with your birds.

Poor little Jimmy can not even look at anything but a RIR!

Though I must admit, his birds are nice!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/u/25882/yard-full-o-rocks

 

[Robert Blosl]

Dont push rhode island reds and rocks they will say we are pro to that breed. Sorry thats why they are the top two breeds in the American Class and thats why they attract so many beginners and new members to thier clubs. They are just good all around chickens.

Maybe thats why they call them Dual Purpose. For me I like Seromas. That chicken can live in a bird cage in your house.

Got to run and feed the chickens and talk to my ducks.

Scott you have been ready that book to much. You may end up a judge one day. bob

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Jim.....sorry if we "offended" LOL, no hard feelings ok??!!! BTW - I thank you for the kind words but they are VERY much still a work in process.Those pix are 2011 hatch and I have some MUCH better ones this year (am I tempting any of you to look at Rocks??!!)

Bob - a judge??!! NO WAY....just happened to be looking at "the Good Poultry book" as that post came across as I intended to cull a few more pullets this evening. Actually culled 3 more over a good glass of red wine and a little cooler weather this evening. I need to put together 3 trios for folks who have expressed an interest and want to be certain I get them a couple of decent pullets.

Time to eat....have a great evening!

 

[NYREDS]

Remember that birds have a total possible 100 points when judged! Only 5 total points are associated with the comb of a single combed bird (unless the standard has recently changed) and there is only a 1/2 point deduction for each point that is above or below what the standard calls for.

Don't get too wrapped up in # of comb points if the bird otherwise is good for type....you got 95 more "points" to work with!

I've been breeding Columbian Plymouth Rocks for 2+ yrs now and I am keeping 2 cockerels from my 2012 hatch that each have 7 comb points.....reason being that otherwise, their type is VERY good. These birds would only be docked a total of 1 point for having 7 comb points, but there are other "faults" in them as well. I will be looking for a 5 point comb cockerel in my 2013 hatching

Keep in mind that approx 1/3 of your points come from 3 categories; condition/vigor, back, breast

I'm NO judge, but don't let a small category allow you to "kick out" a bird that otherwise might be worthy of breeding

Just my 2cents

Scott

Excellent advice that can't be repeated often enough. I see it all the time here & it comes from a lack of understanding of what the Standard is intended to do. The reason the Standard is written in such specific terms with so much attention to detail is so that people can learn to evaluate the entire bird. Learn to loook at the bird as a whole & don't fixate on a single feature. Scott's 2 cockerels are starting out with a potentail score of 99 despite those 2 extra points on their comb.

 

[ashandvine]

ashadvine,
Have you looked at Plymouth Rocks for your Dual Purpose breed. My Columbians ( from Yard full o' rocks) started laying at 25 weeks and they are very meaty.
I recently aquired some Barred Rocks that came from JWhip and even at 10 weeks it is evident that they are going to be very thickly built.
If they lay well they would be a good dual purpose choice also.
Ron

I appreciate this. I was just mulling over my goals and the plan for this farm to work. I think maybe I need to ask some different questions. I know at least one person will always tell me that RIR are best but I am known to try the hard way first. (btw Mr Bob, I found a man with RIR here. Says they are Tompkins cross line from the 50's. feedback??)
I am asking myself this question, or better yet, balancing this picture in my mind waiting to see which tips:
If I have birds like the Norwegian Jarhon on one side which is a heavy forager (ie cuts feed cost) in warmer months, who puts out a good egg often and on the other hand the bigger heritage bird like the Favorelle or Orp who grows slowly then which do I pick if I have to pick one? If I am going to raise in the spring and slaughter in the fall, overwintering only birds to breed (feed costs again) and maybe one or two lucky finds to show, then what is the better way? Old farmers managed farms to survive year to year. Were they really eating all those huge carcasses? Yes, if their family was large and they often were because more hands meant less work for each and more work done... then yes, but my family is five plus the shepherd and six on weekends. Is that large enough to warrant BIG birds? Do I need all that meat or do I eat less meat like the rest of the world? I am asking myself, "How can I raise a breed and be a good farmer so I don't break the bank or ruin the birds?" Surviving through depressions/recessions, crooks and droughts by managing what I have sensibly is my goal. THAT is more important to me right now than if a comb on every bird I have has the right number of points. Those ones are food for me so I value them too, see? BUT I want to keep a breed and do it justice as well, so that my keeping is 'preserving' if that makes sense, and finding the one that fits my area and desires is still not a question I haven't answered. Can I do both? Where are all the books that are supposed to make this so easy? Manuals for Life much less Farm Life are getting so hard to find.

 

[ashandvine]

Don't get too wrapped up in # of comb points if the bird otherwise is good for type....you got 95 more "points" to work with!

Just my 2cents

Scott

This is a great point and one Arielle tried to make as well. I have never had the points system explained so succinctly ... or maybe I only just 'got it' today, but appreciate your pointing it out (pun noted.)

The APA publishes the Standard Of Perfection which has written standsards and pictures for all the recognized breeds. A very good book to have if you show or not.

Oh, yes, this is on the holiday 'get me' list. lol I keep telling DH not to buy what he does for me and to get me good books but he never listens. I always get a kitchen gadget and some bath soap. Well, now I have a title and ISBN and cost all spelled out for him, ha ha ha.
Another woman pointed out that since I am breeding crosses with him (to Maran hens I have) that it shouldn't matter to me whether he meets the standards or not. I guess I should say I have never shown and am not sure I ever will but I have kids. I want them to learn from me all I can teach them and sometimes that means reading up. My son is the one who really wanted to try Orps. Those and Houdans and Turkeys of all things. This one came available from a woman I respect as a breeder and like as a person so we are making the most of him for now. My wanting to learn a bit goes to both educating my kids or other kids that ask me and wanting to know what I am supposed to have here for a breed standard so I don't muck it up too bad. I'm never going to be more than a small farm keeper.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

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Tell your son, if he will email me a 500 word essay on why he wants to raise Orpingtons (it will be graded by my wife the English teacher) and PayPal $20 for shipping cost etc. I will ship him a dozen Orpington eggs. What color does he prefer?

 

[ashandvine]

LOL First he''ll have to look up 'essay' so he isn't just writing freeform. I spent some time in college writing essays and they are an art I would hate to see him butcher. Its not just backing a hypothesis, it is planning out your quotes to build your points one by one on top of each other and... you know, this reminds me of chickens. It isn't just about getting to the 500 word bird, and winning a prize, it is about knowing your reasons and getting all the details... and I sound nuts.
I'll tell him but he is 11 so don't expect miracles. Do I get to edit it first?? (just for spelling and grammar mind you)

I lost another young bird. Found its body out in the garden feeding a hawk. It was a pricey mistake and very disappointing for our 'plans.' He wont' know till he gets home from school. Lessons aren't always easy. He is still learning how to be a responsible farmer as well as everything else so I won't hold my breath for the dinosaurs to come to my yard. (although if I put it to him that way he might surprise me. He really liked dinosaurs for years. ha ha) I let him put in the birds last night. He didn't count them all like I told him. I didn't go double check like usual.

Maybe when he gets a job....

 

[FOGELLY]

ashandvine,
Don't let me sway you. I am very fond of Oldtime Large Fowl Armerican breeds.

I understand your desire to have a productive breed as well as helping to preserve them.
No slackers are allowed to stay here at our place. We demand eggs and meat. We put a minimum of fifty birds per year in the freezer.

I am really excited about the line of Barred Rocks we are growing out right now.
The cockerels at 10-12 weeks old would make a pretty good meal for two right now! I really need to take few pictures for y'all.

Enjoy what ever you decide on.
Ron

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

LOL First he''ll have to look up 'essay' so he isn't just writing freeform. I spent some time in college writing essays and they are an art I would hate to see him butcher. Its not just backing a hypothesis, it is planning out your quotes to build your points one by one on top of each other and... you know, this reminds me of chickens. It isn't just about getting to the 500 word bird, and winning a prize, it is about knowing your reasons and getting all the details... and I sound nuts.
I'll tell him but he is 11 so don't expect miracles. Do I get to edit it first?? (just for spelling and grammar mind you)

I lost another young bird. Found its body out in the garden feeding a hawk. It was a pricey mistake and very disappointing for our 'plans.' He wont' know till he gets home from school. Lessons aren't always easy. He is still learning how to be a responsible farmer as well as everything else so I won't hold my breath for the dinosaurs to come to my yard. (although if I put it to him that way he might surprise me. He really liked dinosaurs for years. ha ha) I let him put in the birds last night. He didn't count them all like I told him. I didn't go double check like usual.

Maybe when he gets a job....

Check out the photos and descriptions at http://www.idealpoultry.com/ Most are from the Standard or at least are similar. Though most birds they produce are not show quality or close to the Standard, the artist did a pretty good job on the prints of the birds. The description gives a fair description of each breed. Find the "type" you want. The RIR, Rock, Orp, Leghorn etc. Then decide on color. Most breeds all have the same color/varieties. Type sets the breed apart. Some lay more than others. Some strains lay more than others.

Here is an essay a friend sent me from Montana. I believe he was 11 and a homeschooler.



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