BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[bnjrob]

AGAIN...this is not a SOP thread.

This is a waste of my time...It's like talking to someone who comes to your door with the intent and determination to sell you on an idea that you clearly have no interest in...You tell them so but they are back in a week or three with the same old stuff.

Guess that part of Hellbender's post was missed that the thread is for everyone, SOP and non SOP breeders.

I have not once insisted that people must breed to the SOP. I choose to breed to the SOP but I also do not forget the issues of production - as do other people on this thread. You may be unaware, but there are people that have serious breeding programs who don't breed to the SOP - and how they manage their flock are obviously different than yours are. My intention was to show you and others who may be lurking, a different viewpoint than the one you hold. Just a simple exchange of information.

If you don't feel that the current conversation is applicable to you, that's ok. Not everything is going to be applicable to everyone's situation all the time.

 

[Bill Matthews]

Reading these comments is really interesting...Projects discussed here are useful...Comments seem to be moderate and respectful...Don't really see what all the fuss is about...

 

[Arielle]

Quote: LOL--- I have been dying to read the rewrite that DOn Schrider did on turkeys-- I've never talked turkeys with him so I'm very curious about that new edition.

I did read thru an older turkey version and found it to be rather USELESS-- far behind were I am now. ANd a proponent of the commercial BBW, which is to be expected as it reflected the times ( about 15 years ago).

SO easy to have stuff edit-- my 12 yr old is a whizz at editing his work. Very easy to do.

Quote: THe sussex definitely have my atention. THe SS I have are not the best, and Math Ace bought her lastest line from an SQ breeder and still the line is not up to production levels. I'm waiting for her to have something good to sell to me as I am reluctant to give up on the SS. THe best foragers I have.

Reading these comments is really interesting...Projects discussed here are useful...Comments seem to be moderate and respectful...Don't really see what all the fuss is about...

I totally agree, every one is entitled to their opinion. Our discussions would be a bit boring with out varitety. . . sure leads to lots more detailed information!!

 

[Arielle]

My projects---
1. grow outthe 26 buckeye chicks. Move them to their new coop and pray they don't get preyed upon.

2. THe SS-- single mate the best female back to the origianl cock. IF I feel like I can deal with more chicks. ( I said I would be done by May 1 st-- incubator is full). GOood lyers of med eggs; would liek a larger egg but do like variety in the egg basket and the smaller size is interesting.

3. Hatch out a few more Sulmtalers-- either keep pure or mix into the cornishX project for added meat qualities and the cute head dress.

4. COrnish Cross Project-- 1 cckl and 2 pullets that are half breds. They are very fast growers. I rather like that they will get into the freezer fast but hopefully not as fast as the commercial cornishX. Meaning they will move easier for a longer time and have less health issues as they age out. My oldest made it to 10 months-- and the innards were less than ideal. Clearly the bird was failing which is why it ended in the freezer. MIght mix in buckeye and Sulmtaler for a fast growing meat bird.

5. Konza-- I had tried to get some breeding stock last fall and to make a long story short . . . did not expect to get any stock when 2 weeks ago the eggs showed up at the PO. Likely to get blended with the cornish cross project birds.


Clearly need to put a few more birds in the freezer to make room for these new projects. Found an egg customer that wants a few of the older hatchery hens-- which means I will loose an egg customer but glad to have more folks making their own food.

Put in an order for fruits trees and berry bushes. THe buckeys will have access to all the drops.

 

[ronott1]

My projects---
1. grow outthe 26 buckeye chicks. Move them to their new coop and pray they don't get preyed upon.

2. THe SS-- single mate the best female back to the origianl cock. IF I feel like I can deal with more chicks. ( I said I would be done by May 1 st-- incubator is full). GOood lyers of med eggs; would liek a larger egg but do like variety in the egg basket and the smaller size is interesting.

3. Hatch out a few more Sulmtalers-- either keep pure or mix into the cornishX project for added meat qualities and the cute head dress.

4. COrnish Cross Project-- 1 cckl and 2 pullets that are half breds. They are very fast growers. I rather like that they will get into the freezer fast but hopefully not as fast as the commercial cornishX. Meaning they will move easier for a longer time and have less health issues as they age out. My oldest made it to 10 months-- and the innards were less than ideal. Clearly the bird was failing which is why it ended in the freezer. MIght mix in buckeye and Sulmtaler for a fast growing meat bird.

5. Konza-- I had tried to get some breeding stock last fall and to make a long story short . . . did not expect to get any stock when 2 weeks ago the eggs showed up at the PO. Likely to get blended with the cornish cross project birds.


Clearly need to put a few more birds in the freezer to make room for these new projects. Found an egg customer that wants a few of the older hatchery hens-- which means I will loose an egg customer but glad to have more folks making their own food.

Put in an order for fruits trees and berry bushes. THe buckeys will have access to all the drops.

I may be hatching some Konza Rangers for a local BYCr. It will be nice to see how they do here in Northern California,

 

[Arielle]

THe Konza are developing a following. My interest is mainly that I don't have an SOP I have to follow and develop a meat bird that will ( hopefully) thrive in this area. Good to have more than one source to trade birds with if necessary.

 

[seventreesfarm]

Guess that part of Hellbender's post was missed that the thread is for everyone, SOP and non SOP breeders.

I have not once insisted that people must breed to the SOP. I choose to breed to the SOP but I also do not forget the issues of production - as do other people on this thread. You may be unaware, but there are people that have serious breeding programs who don't breed to the SOP - and how they manage their flock are obviously different than yours are. My intention was to show you and others who may be lurking, a different viewpoint than the one you hold. Just a simple exchange of information.

If you don't feel that the current conversation is applicable to you, that's ok. Not everything is going to be applicable to everyone's situation all the time.

I need to pay attention to the SOP because to make olive eggers I am working with Marans and Ameraucana, and I can't make quality crossbreeds without good original stock. I don't care about show quality, just *good* dependable quality. Can't recall where I read it, but I'm working on the assumption that only about 10% of what I breed will be worth keeping. I also assume that crossbreeding, at least the initial generations, will make selection tougher due to unexpected variability. And there are certain traits from each breed that I want to keep over others. Aaaand I have my own feather preferences I'd like to work towards.

All this, and good egg production too. But since chickens will always be part of my food supply and business enterprise, I might as well enjoy the challenge of seeing if I can get them to do what I have in mind.

I'm glad there are people dedicated to certain breeds, for whatever reason. Even show birds that have lost some of their original purpose need to be there as foundation stock for other people to work back into productive strains, or work into interesting crossbreeding programs.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: IMO finding good birds is difficult, even SOP birds are too often lacking and do not match what was produced decades ago. My AMs are NOT met birds and my BCM are NOT meat birds. A couple of the SS roosters were better. I figure if only a small percent is kept for breeding or egg laying, than the others better make a good meal or 2 or 3.

 

[chickadoodles]

Linda, I found this on crossing birds just looking for fun. But is is an experiment by an Agricultural Station in Kansas about how to sex chicks at hatch. I thought it might help some. http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/historicpublications/pubs/SB307.PDF

 

[bnjrob]

IMO finding good birds is difficult, even SOP birds are too often lacking and do not match what was produced decades ago. My AMs are NOT met birds and my BCM are NOT meat birds. A couple of the SS roosters were better. I figure if only a small percent is kept for breeding or egg laying, than the others better make a good meal or 2 or 3.

Amen to that! And if you choose a breed that hasn't been popular for a hundred years... man is it a lot of work.