BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[gjensen]

@ronott1 and @gjensen ~ thank you both for the info....and George for the reading recommendation. That book looks interesting and two of the Amazon reviews were especially helpful.

I may indeed go for it but perhaps with what I already have as I also shy away from having too much variety and the subsequent lack of direction. lol....I drive my own self bonkers with indecision. I will be working with hatchery stock but am comfortable with that level of investment and any breeding with intention can be viewed as a step forward in the learning curve.

An acquaintance has let me manhandle her hens several times and it has surprised me several times with the differences I've encountered. I'm sure it will only lead to more questions though

M

As long as you enjoy the birds, you will continue to move forward. You have the practical sense to do well if you decide that you enjoy them enough to continue investing in them.

 

[Heron's Nest Farm]

I always recommend standing on the shoulders of others that have gone before you. It is the fastest way to move forward faster. No need to reinvent the wheel--just attempt to make a rounder one.

 

[DesertChic]

It is true that much of our learning comes with the doing. At the same time, it is to our advantage to take advantage of the generations of experience and the wealth of resources that we have available to us. Otherwise it takes a lifetime to get where others were 100 years ago. Figuratively speaking.

I certainly won't argue that point. That's why I've spent so much time reading all the old books, talking to people who breed for production as well as specifically for SOP and show, etc. All I'm suggesting is that it's best not to get overwhelmed by the "what ifs" and to actually put a plan into practice. As we've previously discussed, there's a lot of conflicting information out there. One person's "ideal bird" is another person's "okay at best" bird. I'm simply trying to offer encouragement to take that leap and learn from personal successes and mistakes as well as from that wealth of knowledge. Seeing the results first-hand is far more helpful for some of us that all the literature and instruction in the world.

 

[Arielle]

I always recommend standing on the shoulders of others that have gone before you. It is the fastest way to move forward faster. No need to reinvent the wheel--just attempt to make a rounder one.

Very true.

Bob blosl played around with his Mowhawks, selecting for morning layers. Very cool. Makes it easier to have all the eggs laid before letting the girls out for the day. ( I dont know if he free ranged, just that this trait would be good fo r me.)

 

[gjensen]

I certainly won't argue that point. That's why I've spent so much time reading all the old books, talking to people who breed for production as well as specifically for SOP and show, etc. All I'm suggesting is that it's best not to get overwhelmed by the "what ifs" and to actually put a plan into practice. As we've previously discussed, there's a lot of conflicting information out there. One person's "ideal bird" is another person's "okay at best" bird. I'm simply trying to offer encouragement to take that leap and learn from personal successes and mistakes as well as from that wealth of knowledge. Seeing the results first-hand is far more helpful for some of us that all the literature and instruction in the world.

. . . and I was not disputing. I was agreeing. I just took an opportunity to add some thoughts.

 

[ronott1]

. . . and I was not disputing. I was agreeing. I just took an opportunity to add some thoughts.

This is my favorite thread right now!

Amazing and friendly discussion.

Thanks!

 

[gjensen]

Very true.

Bob blosl played around with his Mowhawks, selecting for morning layers. Very cool. Makes it easier to have all the eggs laid before letting the girls out for the day. ( I dont know if he free ranged, just that this trait would be good fo r me.)

Birds lay most of their eggs early, but lay a little later every day, then it starts over. It is a circadian rhythm of sorts.

 

[gjensen]

This is my favorite thread right now!

Amazing and friendly discussion.

Thanks!

Ron, have you started collecting eggs yet? I am trying to resist a bit longer. I have the bug though.

 

[ronott1]

Ron, have you started collecting eggs yet? I am trying to resist a bit longer. I have the bug though.

No but I am about ready. I am getting three eggs a day from my four Pita Pinta hens. The Penedesenca eggs are getting close to 50 g in size and the Arkansas blues are nearly there too.

This year I will try some hatching to order for locals and see how that goes. I also need to get enough chicks hatched to make some good culling decisions this year. I also need to get plenty of meat from those Pita Pinta cockerels this year.

 

[southernmomma]

I've managed to open a can of worms that gets discussed ad nauseum all over this forum. Personally I'm more interested in the process than anything else right now. Management and culling and decision making are things I want to nail down before I go investing in someone elses passion and time. I've screwed up a couple of times in just this last year. Besides, it will always result in eggs and meat!!

Thanks for the input everyone

Cheers
M