BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[hellbender]

That's the thing, though....there shouldn't be any arguments at all. One is a show breeder and all the efforts are geared towards producing dogs fit for show and the other is a small time breeder that breeds a few dogs that are good enough for folks to keep as hunting, herding or pet quality dogs. Never the twain shall meet as they both have a different focus. Comparing the two is futile, so arguing about methods is also futile.

This thread is about breeding for production or meat and isn't even about breeding to SOP or for show. I'd say if one's flock is improving in the areas of more meat and eggs that's good enough to call it an improvement. Some folks just don't see it as this super serious endeavor that requires any argument at all...it's just chickens. Food animals. Shouldn't even garner that much back and forth at all as it's just chickens. It's fun to discuss improving them, but when it gets down to arguing, the fun is sucked right on out of it.

Having been a dog breeder/professional handler for many years, I can say with confidence, there are plenty of 'pet' dogs that result in the efforts to breed top show or excellent hunting or herding dogs. To breed specifically for the 'pet trade' should be a Capital Crime, considering the condition and state of animal welfare in the US and indeed the world.

 

[JRNash]

To many strays and ferals now.

 

[hellbender]

To many strays and ferals now.

I have no problem mixing breeds as a special project for hunting/working. I crossed Walker hounds With Jagdterriers for extreme bear and cat hounds...they did a great job! They were smaller than the hounds but bigger than the Terriers and usually had the big 'snowshoe' type feet that allowed them to cross snow better than big dogs without getting bogged down...especially since the bear would brake track for them. They averaged weight of about 35 to forty pounds, making them very maneuverable....they were all over the bear, (once caught) like a bunch of bees and he just had to climb out of sheer annoyance.

But...to make such a cross, hoping to sell them to pet homes would bad news because either breed makes a worse pet than the bear would be and when crossed, they are even worse HOUSE pets. They are human-friendly (to a point) but have that insanely intense prey drive.

 

[ConPollos]

I have no problem mixing breeds as a special project for hunting/working.  I crossed Walker hounds With Jagdterriers for extreme bear and cat hounds...they did a great job!  They were smaller than the hounds but bigger than the Terriers and usually had the big 'snowshoe' type feet that allowed them to cross snow better than big dogs without getting bogged down...especially since the bear would brake track for them.  They averaged weight of about 35 to forty pounds, making them very maneuverable....they were all over the bear, (once caught) like a bunch of bees and he just had to climb out of sheer annoyance. 

But...to make such a cross, hoping to sell them to pet homes would bad news because either breed makes a worse pet than the bear would be and when crossed, they are even worse HOUSE pets.  They are human-friendly (to a point) but have that insanely intense prey drive.

I agree, but what an awesome working dog you bred! There must be Grizzly Adams types who would love to own them.

One reason I'm keeping my Catahoula mix pups is because people get fed up and dump them when they're about 18 months old, since they're serious working dogs.that get bored and destructive if they don't have a job. They settle down at 24 months into awesome pets, but most owners can't wait that long.

I love working dogs, they're so smart. Dogs don't get on my nerves because I don't care about THINGS, or Image, or stuff, etc.

 

[hellbender]

I agree, but what an awesome working dog you bred! There must be Grizzly Adams types who would love to own them.

One reason I'm keeping my Catahoula mix pups is because people get fed up and dump them when they're about 18 months old, since they're serious working dogs.that get bored and destructive if they don't have a job. They settle down at 24 months into awesome pets, but most owners can't wait that long.

I love working dogs, they're so smart. Dogs don't get on my nerves because I don't care about THINGS, or Image, or stuff, etc.

The Catahoula is a great breed. I used to breed and show them at rare breed dog shows. In fact, I bred the top winning Catahoula shown at ARBA. (American Rare Breeds Assn). His name was Elk Mountains Tibeaux, died at the age of 18 years. They are really great dogs...but NO good for bear dogs or for any game that climbs unless you only use one dog, like for coon or squirrels. When the game climbs...the dogs fight. lolol

Still a really great farm/family/hog dog. Really good watch dogs too. My original dogs were NALC registered but I had a serious falling out with Betty Ann Eaves.

 

[collie1470]

I also did say show or working. Which would translate over to SOP breeders and production breeders (as production is the chicken's equivalent to work). Backyard/hobby breeders would translate over to those just wanting to raise a backyard flock for enjoyment and the added benefit of eggs and meat, and chicks solely to replenish the flock or sell.

 

[collie1470]

Since this thread is called breeding for production, that would most likely put most of the people here into the category of production breeders (people breeding and crossing with the goal of increased production, without a decrease in overall health)....yeah?

 

[ConPollos]

The Catahoula is a great breed.  I used to breed and show them at rare breed dog shows.  In fact, I bred the top winning Catahoula shown at ARBA.  (American Rare Breeds Assn).  His name was Elk Mountains Tibeaux, died at the age of 18 years.  They are really great dogs...but NO good for bear dogs or for any game that climbs unless you only use one dog, like for coon or squirrels.  When the game climbs...the dogs fight.  lolol  

Still a really great farm/family/hog dog.  Really good watch dogs too.  My original dogs were NALC registered but I had a serious falling out with Betty Ann Eaves.   

Oh, wow, that is just so awesome! I've heard they are the smartest breed, but some say the Border Collie is the smartest. I've had both and my vote is Catahoula by far. My puppies' daddy took my breath away with his intelligence everyday, and the word "intelligent" doesn't begin to cover it. It's beyond words.

Now, by some miracle I must train them not to eat my chickens or my cat. Lol

 

[hellbender]

We're pretty flexible on this thread and don't really mind if someone goes off the reservation for a while...so long as they are respectful of the rules and to the other posters.

as for keeping the Catahoulas from killing chickens...it would be easier to confine the dogs when the birds are free-ranging. They need to be introduced to poultry when they are quite young pups and re-enforced (frequently with a switch) when they go off on a chicken terror campaign. Bad enough with ONE Catahoula but with multiples....I just don know what to say.

 

[ConPollos]

We're pretty flexible on this thread and don't really mind if someone goes off the reservation for a while...so long as they are respectful of the rules and to the other posters.

as for keeping the Catahoulas from killing chickens...it would be easier to confine the dogs when the birds are free-ranging.  They need to be introduced to poultry when they are quite young pups and re-enforced (frequently with a switch) when they go off on a chicken terror campaign.  Bad enough with ONE Catahoula but with multiples....I just don know what to say.   

Yeah, I know they have super strong prey drive, and the pack drive would compound the problem. I never let my chickens out unless my dogs are kenneled.