Breeds needing preservation - how rare

[rodriguezpoultry]

I guess I'm a bit different than other breeders then?

I breed my birds to preserve the breed rather than mainly for show wins. I like having my "eye candy" in the yard. The showing is just plain fun and I like to help the kids as well?

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Quote:
I have never claimed SQ, that's your deal and I hope you win lots of blue ribbons. Like I said before our birds work for a living

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

I suppose you think mine do not? They lay eggs as does every bird on my farm. I sell the culls, eggs, feathers. I do not see how mine are not working the same as yours?

It was nothing against you Steve. I have seen SEVERAL breeders claim that their birds have won at shows, only to find out that the shows they were in were 4H shows in which everyone won a blue ribbon. People purchase birds from these "supposed" show winners because they simply do not know any better. I believe it is the responsibility of the breeder to tell the people the purpose of their breeding program. ESPECIALLY to those who do not know the breed standard or do not know about a breed standard, but would like to compete in shows. It is not fair to the person buying and again, unfair to the breed as a whole.

And thank you for your support, however if you're above junior, at least in my area, blue ribbons are not presented any more.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

What about when the APA SOP is not correct?

Case and point the White Holland Turkey. (I have done quite a bit of turkey research over the years) The true White Holland turkey has sky blue eyes - the APA standard calls for brown eyes. How can this be that the SOP does not reflect the original bird?

 

[MNmommy]

Quote:
well, here is a silkie from urch/turnland this year......very disappointing

 

[Cuban Longtails]

RodriguezPoultry has permission to use my photo.

As for my barred rocks - I'm working towards function, and beauty. I have hatchery stock, plus exhibition stock from Dick Horstman to work with. I'm doing as SpeckledHen is doing. In fact, I have some of her stock too.

Honestly, in my opinion, a majority of the exhibition breeders have focused too much on beauty over functionality. I do not believe it was ever the intention of the APA for that to happen. In fact, there's a letter in the 2008 yearbook highlighting the issue.

 

[Cuban Longtails]

Quote:
I do hope you wrote a polite letter and sent a picture with it. If I was the breeder, I would want to know. He is very involved with the APA and has been breeding fowl for over 40 years.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Quote:
well, here is a silkie from urch/turnland this year......very disappointing


http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u168/sheandg/IMG_3256.jpg

*Scratches head*...huh??? Silkie???

 

[speckledhen]

As for my barred rocks - I'm working towards function, and beauty. I have hatchery stock, plus exhibition stock from Dick Horstman to work with. I'm doing as SpeckledHen is doing. In fact, I have some of her stock too.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Quote:
Me not knowing turkeys that well, here is a website for you:
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Turkeys/BRKBBWhite.html

As it states on feathersite:

These large white birds are the most popular for the commercial market, as the carcass shows no pin feathers. They are referred to as Broad-breasted Whites in commercial terminology. In terms of their history however, we may be dealing with two different breeds here. You can note in the images below that the Holland tom is much finer boned and longer-legged than the BB White. The Hollands have blue eyes.

ETA: The description of the birds in the SOP is supposedly the "ideal" bird. Birds that are working on being bred towards. There is ALSO an allotment to change the SOP in specific areas. If you are concerned enough with the eye color, surely you and others who are working to preserve the breed would be able to gather enough support to write in and ask for a clarification.​