Yes- no kidding. I showed, and bred, golden retrievers. It is important to me to do my due diligence. It only pays in the end. A $30 bird from a good breeder CAN save you hundreds in the long run...especially when you start letting hens go broody to add more to your flock.
Everything must start with a good foundation. Take, for instance, BLRW... They literally made a new chicken!
....and it took YEARs, with ongoing "improvements". I don't think many backyard enthusiasts realize what true breeding actually entails. Culling, and mastering genetics, is no small feat! I'm happy to hatch out the experienced breeders hard work, giving them credit.
I primarily have chosen this route, as it seems Southern Cal (at large) has a very stale pool of breeds and "inventory". I went to the little show at Ventura fairgrounds expecting something really great and was very disappointed. It seemed the room was full of the same 5 breeds...and LOTS of seramas and bantams. While they were all great, my husband even asked if they were "the main kind of chickens or something?"...
Like any good wife, I'm bringing him really cool chickens- to make him feel better, of course. Ha!
Now as for you, I have to say...you are working with some interesting breeds there! Wow! Good for you!
