BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[Arielle]

@Arielle
Finding a new breed can be very daunting and frustrating. Be patient, you will know when you find it. Then be patient again in finding just the right breeder. It takes time to establish and develop relationships and to gain knowledge about who the reputable breeders are. Listen carefully to what the experienced breeders of other breeds have to say. There is frequently as much wisdom in what they don't say as in what they do. ;-)
I personally avoid (boy, I may offend a few folks here but here goes), anyone who has lots of breeds. If someone has 10, 15 or even more breeds then I have trouble wrapping my head around how they can possibly be doing each breed justice. I'm not talking about backyard chickens or laying flocks. I'm talking about people who sell eggs and/or chicks that are a specific "breed" who have more than a couple of breeds.
Find someone who cares enough to point you in the right direction of a few good mentors - good mentors are like lgds... they are invaluable. ;-)

THank you for taking the time to share--- I totally agree with you, on all points. lol

I have 26 buckeye chicks that arrived vigorous and ready to eat. all healthy and no losses. I credit this to two factors--plenty of experience raising chicks, and good stock. I picked this breeder for many of the points you listed. Has only2 breeds; been at it a few years, available for questions.

While the buckeye are a winter layer, this line is the closest I could get in a non- single comb breed. When I asked Laura Haggertyabout the laying, I was slightly disappointed in the time frame. I would like more eggs for Oct - Dec.

I did read of a few breeders that had good stock that only missed about 3 weeks, butwith single combs, that is a no go, at least for the roosters. Hopefully with more experience I can determine a method to manage the roosters

One of the SS cckls lost ALL his points, and it makes him look rather ominous-- like a true raptor of ancient times. lol I didn't cull him because of his comb-- he had good muscling so he stays-- after all not many points for a comb. lol

SaddlyI mayonly find what I am looking for in a commercial layer.

 

[Arielle]

Southernmomma, concerning finding a breeder. Once you have settled on what you want. Check out what someone might have. The birds tell on us. After you have them for a generation or two, you will know what you have compared to what you want.

Arielle, maybe you can tease a few winter eggs out of the Buckeyes. Some are better winter layers than others, but all have a drop off in the winter. Running lights is the most sure method for any of them.
The length of molt plays a part in some. The longer it takes them to molt, the less eggs you will see that time of year. Commercial birds lose and get them back fast, and are a bit on the extreme end of the spectrum. The later they molt, and the sooner they come out of molt, the better. Within reason. I am not a fan of extremes.
The later they molt means more eggs later into the season. The sooner they molt means that you have the opportunity at a few more late season eggs. Also as you are doing identifying who back into lay earlier in the year.

Winter eggs without lights, is a series of small victories. A little here and a little there.

RedRidge, I agree with what you have said. I just want to note that there are exceptions. I know a couple that has the time, resources, know how, commitment, and talent to handle quite a few. I know of one that I would recommend for every breed that she owns. Every single one. BUT, she is an exception.

Chris was kind enough to toe punch each chick, so I know which pen it came from. WIth the idea of setting up a 3 pen rotation.

As fall approaches I am toying with going with no lights to get a handle on what they do without it.

ANd my plan was to cull hard in the early fall, as it get cold here quick and not fun to be processing when the cold hits and the need for feed jumps.

I feel like I am building a wheel and don't have the skills to tackle the job. Frustrating on one hand but also more respect for those that can manage a flock properly, and I mean both hobby flocks and commercial.

 

[gjensen]

Chris was kind enough to toe punch each chick, so I know which pen it came from. WIth the idea of setting up a 3 pen rotation.

As fall approaches I am toying with going with no lights to get a handle on what they do without it.

ANd my plan was to cull hard in the early fall, as it get cold here quick and not fun to be processing when the cold hits and the need for feed jumps.

I feel like I am building a wheel and don't have the skills to tackle the job. Frustrating on one hand but also more respect for those that can manage a flock properly, and I mean both hobby flocks and commercial.

It gets easier.

Once you are established it becomes a routine, and you look forward to every spring.

I can relate because of the changes that I am making to adapt to my new reality.

Whatever you do, enjoy your Buckeyes. Chris has nice birds, and it is a great breed. From how I have heard you talk, I think they might be a good fit. I always saw you with Buckeyes or Dominique.

It is a privilege to work with good birds. A lot of work goes into them before we ever touch them. That is how I feel about my NHs. I think that I was doing ok with them, but I am more impressed by what was done before I started with them.

 

[Arielle]

I totally agree with you George-- the years of work behind a good strain. Chris works with Laura, and DOn Schrider. ANd Don works with a teenager nearby. Hoping that will be enough support .

THe last few years I have been mucking around with the birds I have to be able to "see" a bird. I watch them walk, and interact ( temperament) and learn how the birds interact. I see the BO as a very gentle bird and the roosters cannot hold up to my AMeraucanas. I enjoy the gold coloring and I'm completely smitten by it, but they need their own space to thrive. THe Ams are strong willed and defend thier space and girls even to the point of leg injuries. BlueBoys son also behaves the same way- defend at all cost. THe marans are in the middle-- hard for them to hold on to any girls as athe AMs push them out. My old SS is a bugger-- I was looking at him the otherday, thinking he was one of his sons, and thought how nice he looked. THe bugger--he is one tough cookie and also gets leg injuries. The strained muscle, or ligament type from over exertion.

Feeding the buckeye chicks will be a new twist-- the 27% is recommended by CHris, yet not available, so I have been cooking up eggs for the chicks 1-2 times a day. Otherwise rearing them is easy after having practiced on so many. ANd screwed up a few times-- all info put in my learning banks.

Much to understand about housing, runs, free ranging, fencing, denuding all my lovely flowers, lol.

Still more to learn.

 

[YardBirdMom]

Just do not take any of us too seriously. We do not have any "experts", just "enthusiasts". Check everything you hear for yourself. So much does not universally apply anyways.

I understand and will keep that in mind, thanks

 

[3riverschick]

Subscribing

Welcome Trillumcoop!
This is a very interesting thread. Hope you find the
knowledge you are seeking. If not, ask away!

Best Regards,
Karen in western PA, USA

 

[Gramma Chick]

Quote:
Good ! you had me worried you were going of the deep end ...

 

[Arielle]

Ron-- your son should know you by now!!

 

[hellbender]

I guess I'm starting a new page and feel it's a good place to write down a few of my thoughts.

I've been out working on various projects, over-seeing Jason...(unbeknownst to him)....over-seeing the contractors who are taking advantage of this beautiful weather to get much of the outside work finished for the SOP facility. It's being built with enough area to work on 4 accepted SOP colors of the NN breed. These plans were put into work well on before we came to the astute decision that working with one color (REDS) would be far more practical. I have often said...one can never have too much room on a "Chicken Ranch'...That's what Jason has been calling this place when we're alone.

While enjoying the outside and inside of the place, I went into one of the antiquated hen houses and saw a few hens still on the nests.

This is nothing new to me but I've noticed again that I have some beautifully colored birds, both cocks and hens but the main thing that strikes me so often that it seems that the most homey little (Let's call a spade a spade) ugly hens seem to be my favorites and the ones that lay consistently ...truly just about every day. It's obvious because they lay their large to extra large eggs invariably in mid-afternoon. This is a fact, not making this up...when I let the flocks out in the morning, (about 6:30 now) they all head for their favorite spots to dig and grub around for a couple hours, pretty much ignoring the tubs of feed that have been on the floor for about 2 hour already. Of course, they had already pecked around that mess but they really enjoy getting out for their morning constitutions.

Somewhere around 10:AM, just about the whole bunch come into the houses to begin laying. The little (in comparison) dull colored hens march up and down, getting into the faces of the bigger...prettier hens, almost like drill sergeants, demanding they get on with it! They even get up on the railing, in front of the nests, and screech in their faces....About noon the first egg collection is made. Always lots of beautiful light brown eggs...But if we just a bit too late, these twelve to fourteen 'boss-hens' are already sitting on clutches, each consisting of any number of eggs...from 3 to 10. They take their good ol' time. For the most part, their eyes are closed and their beaks are slightly ajar...certainly in meditation. The uninitiated would think they are all 'settin', but not so...they just seem tobe relaxing after a morning of hard 'cheer'leading'. They generally finish laying their eggs about 3:30 or 4PM, then saunter out to join their charges, and almost immediately enduring the heated courtship of the head cocks...

More later...I guess, If anyone gives a flip.

RON

 

[armorfirelady]

I guess I'm starting a new page and feel it's a good place to write down a few of my thoughts.

I've been out working on various projects, over-seeing Jason...(unbeknownst to him)....over-seeing the contractors who are taking advantage of this beautiful weather to get much of the outside work finished for the SOP facility. It's being built with enough area to work on 4 accepted SOP colors of the NN breed. These plans were put into work well on before we came to the astute decision that working with one color (REDS) would be far more practical. I have often said...one can never have too much room on a "Chicken Ranch'...That's what Jason has been calling this place when we're alone.

While enjoying the outside and inside of the place, I went into one of the antiquated hen houses and saw a few hens still on the nests.

This is nothing new to me but I've noticed again that I have some beautifully colored birds, both cocks and hens but the main thing that strikes me so often that it seems that the most homey little (Let's call a spade a spade) ugly hens seem to be my favorites and the ones that lay consistently ...truly just about every day. It's obvious because they lay their large to extra large eggs invariably in mid-afternoon. This is a fact, not making this up...when I let the flocks out in the morning, (about 6:30 now) they all head for their favorite spots to dig and grub around for a couple hours, pretty much ignoring the tubs of feed that have been on the floor for about 2 hour already. Of course, they had already pecked around that mess but they really enjoy getting out for their morning constitutions.

Somewhere around 10:AM, just about the whole bunch come into the houses to begin laying. The little (in comparison) dull colored hens march up and down, getting into the faces of the bigger...prettier hens, almost like drill sergeants, demanding they get on with it! They even get up on the railing, in front of the nests, and screech in their faces....About noon the first egg collection is made. Always lots of beautiful light brown eggs...But if we just a bit too late, these twelve to fourteen 'boss-hens' are already sitting on clutches, each consisting of any number of eggs...from 3 to 10. They take their good ol' time. For the most part, their eyes are closed and their beaks are slightly ajar...certainly in meditation. The uninitiated would think they are all 'settin', but not so...they just seem tobe relaxing after a morning of hard 'cheer'leading'. They generally finish laying their eggs about 3:30 or 4PM, then saunter out to join their charges, and almost immediately enduring the heated courtship of the head cocks...

More later...I guess, If anyone gives a flip.

RON

You are a great story teller & I do enjoy your posts. I can imagine being there as you describe what is going on. I have to agree my smallest hens are the ones making the most racket trying to get others off the nest. I sometimes think they go in there to nap