Can I ask you a question ? What chicken breed do you think comes closest to the most oringinal chicken breed.? Or does that even exist anymore?
Sounds like an awesome book; I'd love a copy.
This was back a couple of months ago, and I just looked again this evening and most of what they have now is out of season (there were still alot available when I was checking them out). The breed I wanted to get were the Salmon Faverolles, and I still really like that breed a *ton*.
Thank you for the info! =) I thought "light fowl" was a similar term for bantam but clearly it's not. Like I've said, I'm a noob and I have a lot to learn.
lol Thanks for letting me know. I fessed up at the beginning of this reply, but it was the Salmon Faverolle that I was considering buying from Stromberg's. 
How long do I plan to live? Well...I could drop dead tomorrow in all honesty, but I'm hoping God gives me another 20 years on planet Earth. =P I *have* noticed though, that the bantams are a lot bigger with regard to hatchery and show birds...was quite surprised that some of them actually look more like LF than they do bantams (from hatcheries).
...perfect time for me to say that I can't tell the difference *other than* the rooster (obviously, because he's a roo) but if I had to guess which ones were breeder and which were hatchery pullets I probably couldn't. The one walking behind the roo, facing the same direction he is facing...and the one right in the middle of the picture on the bottom - those two look fluffier and prettier (to me) than the others but....I'm most likely bass ackwards.Here are some of each next to each other. It is easy to pick out the hatchery birds from those from a breeder that shows his stock.
Hatchery pullet on far right...
Cockerel and two pullets from the breeder......4 pullets from the hatchery.... the difference is unmistakable.
20 years is something I probably don't have, so I would say hatchery stock is pretty much not an option for me. I've seen some really pretty birds from hatcheries but my definition of a pretty chicken and an expert's definition of a pretty chicken are two different things. Whether or not they meet SOP? I have no idea...that's why I'm here...to learn.
It will be 2 years before I can start in on this because I was stupid enough to agree to a deal with hubby, and now I'm regretting it every second of every day. I want to do this now...not 2 years from now, but the point of the deal is that he wants to make sure I want to do it 2 years from now, and not *just* now....so...meh, I'll try to wait it out. I have 2 gold laced brahmas, 2 easter eggers, 1 Norwegian Jaerhon and 1 little Silkie right now. I love them as pets...totally digging their little personalities and funny little quirks and especially their strange habits. But...I don't think I'll be breeding any of those other than the Norwegian Jaerhons maybe. Mainly as far as breeding is concerned, I just want to concentrate on breeds that are having a hard time getting it done for themselves, which would be the true heritage forms of the oldie breeds. With regard to chipmunks - I have to admit one of my favorites is still the Welsummer. I've only had 1 of them and we rehomed her, but I think about her all the time and miss her - she was a pretty little thing. Then again - it may have been a cockerel (not sure).True, that...but I don't want to improve the ones from quality breeders. I just want to improve the ones that have been diluted via bad breeding, random breeding and such. Isn't it possible to take hatchery stock and turn it into exceptional? I've heard it's possible but very time consuming...and can take years to breed out the bad...but that is hear say and I'm not sure if it was factual. In which case, it would still be improving a diluted strain of that breed wouldn't it?
[Edited to add] - I'm really not being snarkastic (sarcastic and snarky) I'm asking the question in sincerity. Can you buy a heritage breed from a well-known hatchery (that stocks hatchery stock birds) and breed only those birds, so selectively, that eventually you bring back an exceptional example of that breed?Like I said, that's what I heard but it sounds far-fetched. If that's possible to do, in my opinion that would be awesome.
Edited by CluckyCharms - Today at 8:22 pm
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Hi Clucky,
Most probably, every breed that you find at a hatchery also has serious breeders from
which you can choose quality stock. There will always be a place for the hatchery birds
with those who just want eggs, meat and pretty colors in the back yard.
Why not take the quality birds bred by serious breeders and make them even better?
Ok, so you want multi-color birds but everyone says you'd do best starting with solid color birds.
Ok, I *think* the reason they are saying that is so you can concentrate on type instead of having to
deal with both type and color. So what about a breed that has Black-Breasted Red male with the
salmon breasted hen? Also known as wildtype. That doesn't need double mating for color.
BBR is a completely recessive color palette which , when pure-breeding, will just self-replicate.
that would give you a pretty bird with multiple colors,but not the color balancing problems.
Both the male and the female have lovely colors. Plus, the chicks are the cutest coloring, just like chipmunks.
Hum,
Karen
I like those, too.
My favorite chicken breeds as long as I live, I can tell you now are *always* going to be the Russians (the original and the spangled ones we see today) I just love them both.
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Well, then just study these birds.I am tired of suggesting. All that ever comes of it is new enthusiasm for other breeds.
I got nothing else for you.Just saying. Hope you find the breed you want and get some super birds to start out with.
Best Success,
Retiring from this "What breed to choose" thread,
Karen
Don't think your contributions aren't being read or considered because I happen to like your posts and I appreciate what you say.
