Faverolles Thread

[mame1616]

oops...

 

[mame1616]

I found mine to calm down more and more with age... got one hen so easy to catch now she just sits there when you walk up to her so long as you talk to her... go back a year and you would think she had the devil himself chasing her LOL

OMG, I had the same thing! They are all scared of their own shadow every time something moves - at least when they are babies. Now I have to watch where I step because they are right on my heels the whole time when I'm in the run.



Hey show people - how big is the Lucasville Show? I understand it will be bigger this year with the APA National, but I don't think we can swing Lucasville AND the Ohio National both. The thing is, we really like the Ohio National, so other than the Fav Eastern National meet, we'd need a pretty good reason to skip that one for Lucasville, especially when there's a goodly number of Favs in Columbus anyway.

 

[EweSheep]

I agree pretty nice bird for sure. Considering what most faverolles look like out there you got lucky. That Woman must have know what she was doing with them.

Yep, you got lucky and he is a pretty boy! Better than the hatchery kind I've seen. As long you work on continuing to improve, you can get there than using the hatchery kind.

 

[sandiklaws]

I agree, the hatcheries breed for production and vigor first- something some lines are missing. Yes you have to cull a higher percentage to make progress, but if what you are gaining is simply not there in the show stock you have to work with, it has got to come from somewhere. The more closely bred a line is, the more likely you will not pull anything new out of it down the road. Some folks feel working with known quality is best, but genetic diversity is necessary if gene depression is not going to cause fertility (and other) issues down the road. Simply working with cousins every few generations can work... but only if the genetics are there to begin with. I have used some hatchery blood in my own birds, and many people have commented on how my birds have traits they could not find in other well known lines- all animals used for breeding need to be evaluated for ALL of the strengths and weaknesses, and care should be taken to cull out whatever is undesirable in the offspring produced... but many breeds we know and love today in MANY species would not exist had the breeders from the past culled without an eye on the future. In most of the old books on breeding, you can find mention of using individuals with stellar features and slight faults being used to improve a line lacking a particular trait- in some cases even using other breeds. If this had not been done, gene depression (lack of diversity) might have ruined an entire line, or destroyed it completely. This almost happened with Dalmatians, who suffer from a genetic anomaly that causes severe (deadly) kidney stones. To correct this, breeders used Pointers who were found to not carry the gene and then carefully bred these dogs back into various lines using genetic testing to track progress. There was understandable controversy over these breeding's, and all dogs that have been bred from these programs are required to have a special identifying letter attached to their registration number. However controversial, the program was a complete success and the first dog from this breeding program became champion last year, only 8 generations removed from the first cross breeding. And all dogs produced from breeding's containing one of these dogs will produce offspring that are free of the problem- small price to pay for such a big leap forward. The long and short of this is; do what you feel is right for your flock, and love your birds.

 

[LeasureChix]

That's one of the things I love about them too! They are silly things. We have a hen named "Clumsy" because she could not get out of her own way for her first 6 months of life... now she is the smart one who gets out when the others can't figure out how to.

Sandi, The eggs you sent have excellent development! I think all 4 of the turkey eggs are developing. Looks like most of the Favs are developing. I'm super excited about this hatch!

 

[sandiklaws]

So glad to hear it! Been perfecting my shipping method and I think I have it down now. You should be very pleased with the quality of them. I had fantastic genetics to work with in my breeding flock.
I have been working very hard on selecting the best genetics I could find, and blending these with just a select few birds, chosen from a large number of good sturdy hatchery strain Favs. It was only 3 pullets selected from 50+, to bring in some genetic diversity. These were only used once then removed from the flock. I then line bred these percentage birds back into the show line (Boulanger) I had bought. I did this at Dick Boulangers urging, as he told me "in a few years, you will have your own line" He was right, and I have driven many young birds up to show him (a hundred mile drive LOL) to have his experienced opinion on where I needed to make my selections- I could not have gotten this far without his help. Most of my birds are 7/8ths bred on my senior pure Boulanger roo. As a result, my NimbleQuik line now has better color, superior vigor and improving meat qualities than the 8 birds I started with, with only a few bugs to work out. I have raised a ton of chicks over the last year, close to 300 from a flock of 4 pullets, 2 hens, 2 cockerels and 2 cocks. I have been very carefully monitoring who produces what, and have been making some fantastic progress. I was especially fortunate to be able to add some pure Merlin birds this year, through 2 pullets and 2 cockerels, which have moved my long term goals ahead by years because of how consistently they produce type. I hope to be able to prove I am on the right track this year at a few shows where I will show my work ( Junior a 7/8ths Black Jack son) for the very first time... nervous but confident as showing my Black Jack offspring will help me decide what my focus needs to be on for next years breeding, something I am always thinking about. It will also help me choose who will be the next senior roo so Black Jack can be retired. Please keep me posted with how your birds from my eggs do- I feel like an artist on opening night as this was the first year I offered eggs to the public... just want to get some good "reviews" LOL
I have hatched some of Juniors babies this year as well, and these also will be shown... they will be 15/16ths bred on Boulanger and some will be out of pure Merlin hens- so excited to see them grow up! I also have 3 older pullets that are out of Juniors percentage sisters, and they were sired by a Merlin roo. Only plan to keep one, but will be showing all 3. Anyone interested in buying one of the 2 girls from me in Lucasville in October should shoot me a PM. Can't promise anything this early, but if they all 3 go, I only want to bring home one. I am not sure what the price would be. Will post pictures of them as soon as I can take some.

 

[magnolia-1971]

Hi, I am so excited. I've been waiting for some Fav's for a really long time and they shipped today. The only bad part is that I had to order them from a hatchery

. I wont be showing them so if they are not perfect it is fine. As long as they have that sweet personality that I keep reading about.

I can't wait. I will post pictures as soon as I get them.

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

Hi, I am so excited. I've been waiting for some Fav's for a really long time and they shipped today. The only bad part is that I had to order them from a hatchery

. I wont be showing them so if they are not perfect it is fine. As long as they have that sweet personality that I keep reading about.

I can't wait. I will post pictures as soon as I get them.

I hope they do have great personalities. I have one hatchery hen that's mean as a snake though, so be prepared. My hatchery rooster that's her mate is super sweet though, follows me around the yard like a puppy...but I know he's just waiting for treats!

 

[heritagehabitatfarms]

i love knowing the history and line of the birds i have... but in this case the lady didn't know so oh well... but they could have been out of really good SQ stock... i just kinda figured hatchery because it so much more common... but i will never know...

I agree, the hatcheries breed for production and vigor first- something some lines are missing. Yes you have to cull a higher percentage to make progress, but if what you are gaining is simply not there in the show stock you have to work with, it has got to come from somewhere. The more closely bred a line is, the more likely you will not pull anything new out of it down the road. Some folks feel working with known quality is best, but genetic diversity is necessary if gene depression is not going to cause fertility (and other) issues down the road. Simply working with cousins every few generations can work... but only if the genetics are there to begin with. I have used some hatchery blood in my own birds, and many people have commented on how my birds have traits they could not find in other well known lines- all animals used for breeding need to be evaluated for ALL of the strengths and weaknesses, and care should be taken to cull out whatever is undesirable in the offspring produced... but many breeds we know and love today in MANY species would not exist had the breeders from the past culled without an eye on the future. In most of the old books on breeding, you can find mention of using individuals with stellar features and slight faults being used to improve a line lacking a particular trait- in some cases even using other breeds. If this had not been done, gene depression (lack of diversity) might have ruined an entire line, or destroyed it completely. This almost happened with Dalmatians, who suffer from a genetic anomaly that causes severe (deadly) kidney stones. To correct this, breeders used Pointers who were found to not carry the gene and then carefully bred these dogs back into various lines using genetic testing to track progress. There was understandable controversy over these breeding's, and all dogs that have been bred from these programs are required to have a special identifying letter attached to their registration number. However controversial, the program was a complete success and the first dog from this breeding program became champion last year, only 8 generations removed from the first cross breeding. And all dogs produced from breeding's containing one of these dogs will produce offspring that are free of the problem- small price to pay for such a big leap forward. The long and short of this is; do what you feel is right for your flock, and love your birds.

 

[sandiklaws]

In which case?