BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[Beer can]

Several years ago, I had a Lurcher...half Pitbull/half Track Greyhound. He was the lead dog (literally) in our bear pack.

On my way home last night, I wont admit to drinking a beer on that back road, I came around the sharp bend at the top of the hill, vehicle! never see anyone! They flashed spotlights! Ohh noo!, (huh, there's a dog box on the back of their truck, whooo safe... ) and off...Holy crap coon hunters! haven't seen any in a long time. Stopped and chit chatted with them, man their dogs running and bawling sounded awesome!
Anyone ever watch 'Yukon Men'? A few of them raise many dogs for competition, not a one of them has huskys or malamutes, they all look like mutts, and they make tons of money off them. You'd think the typical sled dog in Alaska to be a husky or malamute, nope, hybrid Alaskan dog wins the race........

 

[hellbender]

On my way home last night, I wont admit to drinking a beer on that back road, I came around the sharp bend at the top of the hill, vehicle! never see anyone! They flashed spotlights! Ohh noo!, (huh, there's a dog box on the back of their truck, whooo safe... ) and off...Holy crap coon hunters! haven't seen any in a long time. Stopped and chit chatted with them, man their dogs running and bawling sounded awesome!
Anyone ever watch 'Yukon Men'? A few of them raise many dogs for competition, not a one of them has huskys or malamutes, they all look like mutts, and they make tons of money off them. You'd think the typical sled dog in Alaska to be a husky or malamute, nope, hybrid Alaskan dog wins the race.......

Yep...I've watched several 'Specials' on the Iditarod and other interesting stories about the sled dogs and I know what you say is true. I do think the Malamute type had a distinct place earlier in history for pulling heavy 'freight' sleds that required dogs akin to draft horses....slower but far more powerful in build.

Personally, I wouldn't have an AKC type husky for anything. I have friends who still love/breed/show them and they really are beautiful dogs but if one gets loose......they are lucky if they see them again, depending where they are at the time the dog takes off.

All those dogs want to do is Rrruuunnnnn, and run they do!!! I don't think most of them even look back 'til they have crossed three county lines!

I love to coon and bear hunt but my back and legs won't co-operate. FYI, I stopped shooting bears 15 to 18 years before I quit hunting. I started SHOOTING them with a camcorder since the meat isn't fit to eat, IMO.

Jason and Ariel still go out for a chase once in a while but more for exercise and to hear the dogs...they don't even carry anything more dangerous than walking sticks...even in kill-season.

 

[hellbender]

CHICKENS.......The weather is supposed to mirror yesterday and I actually plan to try to get a few pics of chicks!!! We're not know for posting chicken pictures because they invite critiques but I've promised picks of these birds for so long...

I will try to get some of the 8/9 week old chics and the 1+ week olds too.

 

[gevshiba]

Several years ago, I had a Lurcher...half Pitbull/half Track Greyhound. He was the lead dog (literally) in our bear pack.

I've been told Hannah is a Lurcher, but we don't know what she is, really. I will say, she'd probably take on a bear (and lose).

 

[gevshiba]

On my way home last night, I wont admit to drinking a beer on that back road, I came around the sharp bend at the top of the hill, vehicle! never see anyone! They flashed spotlights! Ohh noo!, (huh, there's a dog box on the back of their truck, whooo safe... ) and off...Holy crap coon hunters! haven't seen any in a long time. Stopped and chit chatted with them, man their dogs running and bawling sounded awesome!
Anyone ever watch 'Yukon Men'? A few of them raise many dogs for competition, not a one of them has huskys or malamutes, they all look like mutts, and they make tons of money off them. You'd think the typical sled dog in Alaska to be a husky or malamute, nope, hybrid Alaskan dog wins the race........

I know a guy who's sister raised sled dogs in New York. She was supposed to be one of the top breeders of winning dogs. They told me all her dogs were mixes and she was working on breeding Akitas into her lines. She retired and now does herding with her BC's.

 

[Beer can]

I know a guy who's sister raised sled dogs in New York.  She was supposed to be one of the top breeders of winning dogs.  They told me all her dogs were mixes and she was working on breeding Akitas into her lines.  She retired and now does herding with her BC's.

Hmm, yrs ago there used to be someone training sled dogs in the state forest next to me.

 

[Beer can]

@hellbender Younger bear imo is pretty tasty. Bear breakfast sausage, mmm.

 

[gjensen]

On my way home last night, I wont admit to drinking a beer on that back road, I came around the sharp bend at the top of the hill, vehicle! never see anyone! They flashed spotlights! Ohh noo!, (huh, there's a dog box on the back of their truck, whooo safe... ) and off...Holy crap coon hunters! haven't seen any in a long time. Stopped and chit chatted with them, man their dogs running and bawling sounded awesome!
Anyone ever watch 'Yukon Men'? A few of them raise many dogs for competition, not a one of them has huskys or malamutes, they all look like mutts, and they make tons of money off them. You'd think the typical sled dog in Alaska to be a husky or malamute, nope, hybrid Alaskan dog wins the race........

It is similar with many sports where performance matters. It is like that with sporting birds. It is like that in commercial birds.

There are clear and certain advantages. Best when the parent breeds are preserved in good shape, and then traditional simple crosses (2 way and 3 way) are utilized. Once the parent breeds are lost, then the genetic reserve is lost. Then the potential for consistent results are to.

Characteristics have to be set in order for them to be reliably contributed. When they are, the best possible results are realized.

 

[gjensen]

I think we would be hard pressed to find a line of American Bulldogs that do not have any "Pit" in them at all.

 

[bnjrob]

FYI - North Carolina is now requiring ALL poultry keepers to register with the state, under the guise of public safety due to AI. It is supposed to enhance communication so they can let all the poultry keepers know that there is an AI infected flock in their vicinity.
Like there has been any problem with getting that information out to the public without registering everyone's birds. And so far I've already seen too many folks that have been drinking the koolaid and thinking this is going to keep them safe. Be aware folks - if people don't fight it, this could be coming to other states next.

http://www.ncagr.gov/avianflu/ - look under backyard chicken tab