BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[Turk Raphael]

I think it is not as easy to mess them up when you hold on to your originals. If you get a Buckeye person to help you pick your keepers from the first batch, and hold on to the keepers for a few years, you will not have gotten any worse off than your start. You can get a feel for it by then. A few generations of watching them grow out and mature, and getting their standard in your head is all it takes.

A beginner can be helped by flock mating. There is more variability, and therefore more room for error.

I'm inclined to agree with you to a certain point but IMHO, the ideal situation is to have a qualified mentor and that's what I'm banking on. Alone, I wouldn't know which way is up and I'm not too proud to ask for help.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: I whole heartedly agreee with you, having a guiding hand is very helpful. Seeing a bird in picutres is not the same as looking at pictures. THough I know someone that has resorted to Utibe to have the mentors across the pond help with evals.

 

[Turk Raphael]

I whole heartedly agreee with you, having a guiding hand is very helpful. Seeing a bird in picutres is not the same as looking at pictures. THough I know someone that has resorted to Utibe to have the mentors across the pond help with evals.

Do you mean for Buckeyes?

 

[Arielle]

Quote: Actually, it was for Sulmtalers as there is no one well versed here in the US on them.

 

[Turk Raphael]

Actually, it was for Sulmtalers as there is no one well versed here in the US on them.

Ok..thanks. I'll have to google that breed. I never heard of them, much less seen one. I'm assuming it's a meat bird...

Turk

...very handsome and colorful breed.

 

[gjensen]

I'm inclined to agree with you to a certain point but IMHO, the ideal situation is to have a qualified mentor and that's what I'm banking on. Alone, I wouldn't know which way is up and I'm not too proud to ask for help.

No you will not get it over night, but no reason to be scared of it. Buy a Standard read all you can, and keep asking questions. Learn which answers to pay attention to etc. You can learn a lot in a year.

I never have had a mentor, and I am figuring it out. A mentor is great if you have one near you.

Really it isn't that complicated. It does require experience which will not come except by doing it.

It is just like gardening. If you like it, you will keep doing it. If you keep doing it, you will get pretty good at it. If you are passionate about it, you will eventually become a master gardener. But .. . it will not happen unless you start tilling.

You do not have to enjoy poultry though. Just keeping a flock and perpetuating them is a teacher. It isn't like we can't eat them if they are not what we want. That is why I like breeding chickens and not dogs.

 

[gjensen]

Ditto on that. The breeder I was going to buy from came out and said it. So I cancelled.

We are all beginners here. Only a few on the entire forum is not.

I have the attitude that if they can do it, so can I.

The trick is enjoying them enough, and being interested enough in a particular breed. If that breed suits your fancy, then it is enjoyable trying to do something with them.

What is the worst that is going to happen? A need to start over?

 

[southernmomma]

Perhaps but I have but one lifetime and while I do love chickens, I can't devote but a few hours a week, looking for that Magic Strain of (fill in your own dual purpose) chicken. My intentions are to stack the deck in my favor this time. I am dealing with a very respectable breeder of Buckeyes and I will support that move until I find that they aren't the real McCoys. I

I still appreciate the Australorp breed for what it is but I owe it no allegiance. Just name one breeder of Australorps that produce excellent meat birds and I'll give them a look-see.

Hupp. Out of Arizona I believe~ @ronott1 will know.

M

 

[ronott1]

Hupp. Out of Arizona I believe~ @ronott1 will know.

M

They are very big birds. I did not eat any of the Boys last year. I have three hens here in town and they are very meaty. Sadly, Chet will not ship hatching eggs or chicks anymore so local pickup only.

 

[bmvf]

Quote:
Yes, I'm working on the one lead. She wants to wait a little for the one group of pullets to lay larger eggs. I'm hoping I can get some but I guess I'm a little impatient!