Confused by SOP's... Newbie needs help!

[janchilds]

gjensen

Thanks for the info on the ALBC articles on selection of production traits! Best information I have read to date! Awesome, awesome articles!

 

[3riverschick]

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Hi Jan,
You are very right. There are many structural rules which construct a bird which is either dual-purpose; an egg layer; or a purely meat bird. These are definite measurements you can make. Silohuette (both from the side and from the top view) is very revealing.

You're working with Rhode Island Reds? They have a rich literary history which can be found on Google Books,

much of it free and full view. if you are wanting to stress egg production, here is a good book.

It is an earlier book and I have double-checked it's value and validity for the modern breed with one of the nation's top poultry experts. The expert agrees with this techniques continuing value and has used it in the expert's flock successfully.

I own the book. Haven't been able to find it online for viewing.
It's fascinating how such a simple inspection and subsequent culling can make such a difference in egg production.
Did find this illustrated article by the author of the book.
Breeding and Culling by Head Points. By Steup.
http://tinyurl.com/6we2fsf
Try searching for more articles by him in Google Books.

There are also techniques to measure the width between the pelvic bones, the depth of the body, length of the keel (breastbone) and other features important to a breed like the RIR.
Physical body structure is key to whether a bird is dual pupose (the balanced medum); an egg layer or purely meat bird.
Karen Tewart
Waterford Sussex and Marans
http://waterfordsussexandmarans.webs.com/

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Guess Dick went to bed.

Yes, many do breed the single comb RIR with the Rosecomb RIR. You will have some minor issues with combs, just cull heavy.

A far as production goes in exhibition birds, an old friend, J. Ralph Brazelton would not hatch from his exhibition Buff Orpingtons if the hen layed less than 200 eggs a year. He trapnested. You can also use the finger rule. I will not keep a large fowl hen for reeding if she does not have at least a 3 finger gap between her pelvic bones. If you sepearte the less productive by this method and only keep the more productive, you will slowly improve your flocks production. The old timers had Standard of Perfection quality with production.

As for Dick's RIR. You can not go wrong with any of his birds!

 

[janchilds]

You guys are awesome!!

 

[janchilds]

Found it!

http://www.archive.org/details/BreedingAndCullingByHeadPoints

Ahhh.... Now for some good reading!

 

[cashdl]

Very cool. Now I need to start observing my birds more closely and see if I can tell the differences in head type. Thanks for the info.


Lanae

 

[3riverschick]

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Well, I AM impressed, Jan! Good for you!

The pics are much better in the scans
than they would come out in a Xerox of the book. Thanks so much for finding this!
Best Regards,
Karen