Breeding to the SOP - line breeding or mixed gene pools?

[3riverschick]

Hatcheries, for the most part, are more interested in quantity than quality. Most hatchery birds will bear a basic resemblance to the breed but will fall far short of the Standard description.
What you're proposisng makes a certain amount of sense but the starting line still needs to carry the genetic potential to meet the Standard description. Thdere's an old saying that applies here: "you can't make a silk purse from a sows ear".

Hi NYREDS,
I read that Ideal in TX culls by the SOP. But I never contacted them to confirm this. I agree with you.
Even starting with a good utiliyy line, making the improvement to a top show bird can take many years. Adding
up the expense of each years work, it makes sense to pay the extra $$$$ for top stock. Then enjoy tweaking
them to even further excellence over the years.
Best,
Karen

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Quote: If that's true then I got screwed over. My chickens from Ideal are not show quality and certainly weren't bred according to the Standard. Granted I bought them 4 years ago, and Ideal could have recently changed their practices, but NYREDS statement best describes them.

 

[hunter109]

can you put up a show qualitiy bird jw what the diff is

 

[NYREDS]

Hi NYREDS,
I read that Ideal in TX culls by the SOP. But I never contacted them to confirm this. I agree with you.
Even starting with a good utiliyy line, making the improvement to a top show bird can take many years. Adding
up the expense of each years work, it makes sense to pay the extra $$$$ for top stock. Then enjoy tweaking
them to even further excellence over the years.
Best,
Karen

If that's true then they need someone to help them interpret the Standard & they could use a scale. The only birds from Ideal I've ever seen have been bantams & everyone I've seen was huge. I saw some Sebrights from Ideal at a fair last year & they weighed 3 1/2 pounds. Type & colour I've seen has been equally bad.
You're exactly right. Starting with the best you can find/afford is the shortest & most economical way to end up with a quality flock.

 

[hunter109]

i have a trio but dont know if they are seramas or not i put them on here and they say mixed well i will get better pics and post them to see what you all think

 

[20736]

Thanks for all the good words.
Happy chickens y'all.

 

[hunter109]

yep hope to here alot of good things from this thread

 

[draye]

Sorry if this has been answered before.

What are the standard weights for the Naked Neck rooster and hen?