BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[JRNash]

It's a tough call between utility and and SOP. Im hoping that if I can start out with birds that come reasonably close to the Standard it will be easier to predict breeding outcomes. My doctor thinks I have unrealistic expectations too.lol I find it fascinating that scientists believe the broiler industry has in no way reached the growth potential genomic studies are indicating is possible. Who knows what new breeds are waiting to be discovered!!!

 

[JRNash]

I believe the SOP is a very important tool. To reach that level of perfection has taken a lot of people a lot of work and even more time. I don't feel the Standard should be a limiting guideline. I believe that anything can be improved upon .

 

[hellbender]

I can see where that might be needed. Before hurricane Ike. I had approx. 35 chickens consisting of 4 different breeds of white egg layers.I spent so much time with my birds when I wasn't at work that knew which hen did what. They all had different preferences and habits. Sadly hurricane Ike saw fit to relieve me of my birds (shop and part of my house.) I never had the need of a trap nest. I knew my birds. Is this strange sounding?

Not to me...but who am I to judge what/who is strange?...

 

[gjensen]

It's a tough call between utility and and SOP. Im hoping that if I can start out with birds that come reasonably close to the Standard it will be easier to predict breeding outcomes. My doctor thinks I have unrealistic expectations too.lol I find it fascinating that scientists believe the broiler industry has in no way reached the growth potential genomic studies are indicating is possible. Who knows what new breeds are waiting to be discovered!!!

It is not a tough call between them. They can and should go together. They always did. The APA was the poultry industry when the industry was built on pure breeds. The poultry industry is no longer built on pure breeds. Pure breeds have been reduced to back yard flocks, or left in the hands of breeders that exhibit their birds.

 

[JRNash]

Well GJensen then, that's good news.I really DIDN'T want to work at cross purposes.

 

[JRNash]

So keeping a foundation stock that would be utilized for meat and eggs while trying to breed up to the standard is a worthy goal?

 

[dfr1973]

So keeping a foundation stock that would be utilized for meat and eggs while trying to breed up to the standard is a worthy goal?

I certainly hope so, as that is my ultimate goal. I want dual purpose, utility Gold-Laced Wyandottes who look as they should (which happens to be VERY pretty). Ideally, to-Standard birds should also be utility in accordance to the breed's purposes.

 

[Our Roost]

More ignorance. What's it look like? This sounds very useful. Any pictures anywhere?

 

[dfr1973]

More ignorance. What's it look like? This sounds very useful. Any pictures anywhere?

If you are asking about the GLWs I am starting to work on ... here is an old color plate of the ideal.

I like this old plate, because it shows the Wyandottes as being close-feathered. Nice round breasts on both, well-fleshed legs and thighs ... and that pretty feather pattern with the lacing.

JR, you mentioned OCD. If this is actual OCD, you will need to temper that with the knowledge that there has never been and never truly will be a chicken which achieves the SoP. It is an ideal that will always be just out of reach, but that is what makes it a challenge to strive towards.

 

[dfr1973]

I wanted to post an update on my learning curve with the Blue Laced Red Wyandottes. This spring I hatched from 2 pairs. The "Blue" couple featured a pullet that had already come into lay at purchase time, and she lays ~ 6 large eggs/week so far, with one brief broody break. It took 2 months, (and 2 "fluff trimmings,") before the "Blues" produced any fertile eggs.

This is on my mind this morning, Angela. You have one or two birds who require fluff trimmed from around their vent to produce fertile eggs? I am curious if you are merely tolerating this for a generation or two until you can get the fluff back under control, or if you will be doing this as a matter of course? I am genuinely curious about how you view this.

We are both doing Wyandottes, and while I have heard about some getting too fluffy and needing this, I don't believe Luanne tolerates it, and I have no intention to tolerate that at all. In my mind, that level of intervention just to breed/propagate is a fault that will remove itself from my breeding pool. Trimming butt fluff is just a bridge too far for me.

I suspect we both know what George will say on this subject. LOL