BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[Beer can]

I plan on the breeds I have breeding towards SOP as far as feather color, leg color, general shape/confirmation. But when it comes to weights If I exceed specified weights I'm ok with that. I won't be showing, just eating

 

[gjensen]

For those of you who have been breeding birds for a long time, what are 5 rules or tips of breeding you would give someone interested in starting out?

Enjoy the birds. As long as you enjoy them, you will continue with them.

Do not get too complicated. Focus on one or two traits per year. Not to the exclusion of every other characteristic, but as a matter of emphasis.

It is a requirement to have the facilities to manage them well. Manage them well. Before you do anything else, manage them well. Keep them in top condition. If the resources are questionable, try bantams. Bantams lay eggs to.

Breeding is a goal orientated endeavor. The goals need to be clearly defined and sufficient. A bird is the sum of it's parts. When we are breeding, we are breeding an entire bird. That does mean every characteristic matters.

Consider joining the APA and showing your birds. If for no other reasons than to get around other breeders. In so many ways, it will help you establish for yourself what a good bird is. You do not have to agree with all of it in order to benefit from it. If you do nothing else, visit some shows on occasion.

Purchase books, and find free online books online. Understand the basics of genetics, inheritance in general, etc. It is not required to learn this craft, but it is a certain advantage.

If you want to make a contribution along the way, pick a breed. We have what we have by individuals committing to individual breeds and others picking up on them. It is a cumulative effort that gets passed down from generation to generation.

Many like the idea, and less are truly interested. It is a time honored past time where there is a lot to learn. It is a craft of sorts, where there is some artistic expression. It is also very scientific.

Do not get too fancy with the breeding plans. There is time for that later.

 

[gjensen]

The videos were a helpful contribution. There is more to it, but that is a good place to start.

 

[gjensen]

The birds become yours as soon as you are selecting the breeders, and setting up the pens. They are becoming a work of your own hands. At the same time, we should humbly give credit where credit is due.

I think the names of strains etc. is helpful to identify and communicate.

The problems come in when credit is not given where it is due, or when names are used to impart some perceived value.

Breeders that put a lot of work into their birds, and put some pride in their work, do not want to see their names attached to sub standard birds. Can we blame them?

It is best to keep much of it quietly to ourselves. In time, if someone is successful over time, their name will become an identifier for a particular line of birds. People will begin to identify those birds as the work of an individual's hands. Then they are finally and fully recognized for what they are.

 

[hellbender]

I have some credit to give...sorta'....my daughter is nuts! She decided she needed another dog.

I let the Patterdale Terriers go to my quasi-partner in the breed take my pair to Charlottesville Virginia because they weren't working enough around here since we have a few very tough hybrid 'Night Dogs' that are doing a great job and the Heelers are doing their thing during the day. The hybrids are too big for her to handle and the Heelers won't be bred again (that's the plan) so IKE has become Ariel's canine companion. Bad choice but he IS tough looking enough to prevent anyone from bothering Ariel and even though he's only a year, I doubt he;d be pushed too far before he did a puppy's effort of actually defending a vehicle or his 'person'.

He's a very large dog in a relatively small package...house trained, enters his crate in Ariel's room without a fuss and is generally a pleasant dog...I just didn't wan't another dog in the house after getting rid of two others only a a coup;e or three weeks ago. Also, some of you might remember that Jason accidentally killed Ariel's other pet dog with a vehicle so I think he had a hand in getting this one. Ariel asked (told) me to let it be known that the legs on the female holding IKE Do NOT belong to her body. They are attached to our friend and House Mistress Betty while Jason or Ariel took the pic.

I think he's a good looking dog. Very large dog in a small package.I'm told he's the combination of two pure breeds..I will not name them here...at least not now.

So here's IKE.



By the way, Ike does not like chickens...or it could be said that he really likes them so he will have to be exercised in the yard with Ariel watching him all the time. We have a 6 foot fence around the house but I think Ike could clear it, flat-footed.

He will get plenty oj 'road-work' with Ariel on her 4-wheeler.

That is all......... For those who believe in prayer...feel free.

 

[HeritageGoose13]

Beautiful dog, looks real healthy too.

 

[hellbender]

Beautiful dog, looks real healthy too.

I have to admire him too and Ariel is already in love with him....talking about Weight Pulling contests...like she has time for what she's already taken on. I am glad she's so interested in things though...not so long ago, she was really depressed.

IKE is in fairly good shape except he's a bit out of shape and he's never had any serious efforts toward Obedience Training. He's so strong, Jason will have that job and just as soon as the dog gets settled in, that job will be #1 priority. As it is, he could drag a light-weight person just about anywhere he wanted to go.

 

[collie1470]

Gorgeous dog! I also have to mention that I'm happy to see a thick collar on him, since it distributes pressure more, and helps prevent damage to the windpipe. I hate to see a narrow nylon or leather collar on a dog that has the strength to do some real pulling. After all, even the best trained dog can still get overzealous.

 

[hellbender]

Alrighty then....thanks in behalf of Ariel for the compliments (PM) on Ike. He does seem to be a nice pup, despite what some might consider an explosive combination...

He's supposed to be 50 % Rottie and 50% American Pitbull. I can believe it except he has absolutely NO tan markings...none. He's also built very LOW to the ground, being about 17 inches at the withers. He was said to weigh 67 pounds but we weighed him on a certified scale and he weighs just at 60 pounds. Still a lot of dog in such a very small container.

He's just about the last thing I want here (NOT because of his breeding) but my daughter is smitten and feels a need to have him...Good enough for me. He listens well enough off leash in the house and his only real problem is total lack or respect for a leash. We are calling for a very cool evening here and Jason is going to take him out for a slow but brisk 'stroll' up and around a few logging roads with a 4-wheeler. That should knock some of the piss and vinegar out of him!!! May be the dog too.

 

[HeritageGoose13]

You sure he has any rottie in him at all? He just looks like pit or some kind of "american bully" mix to me... but what do I know. Anyway he does look like he would be good for weight pulling contests. Better yet put him to work and have him do something useful. You could have him pull or carry things around the yard, like logs. Actually, that is why rottweilers had their tails docked originally- they were carting dogs, the docked tail was to prevent injuries from the tail getting caught in the cart.

There's a reason the dog is sometimes called the poor man's horse.


Modern day:


And found this one too, thought it was funny.