Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[BGMatt]

"3. Long, productive outdoor lifespan. Heritage Chicken must have the genetic ability to live a long, vigorous life and thrive in the rigors of pasture-based, outdoor production systems. Breeding hens should be productive for 5-7 years and roosters for 3-5 years."

Of course the SOP is the most important aspect of the Heritage Breed Definition, but not the only one. For me its more than just preserving the chicken, but the manner in how it is kept, as well. I know I am in the minority on this and I respect that. I hope the previous discussion on forage and cover crops would be considerate appropriate on the Farming and Homesteading with Heritage Breeds thread. There is no lack of emphasis on good breeding and the SOP on that thread, Joseph and many other see to that.

Thank you all for every thing I have learned so far.

Mark

This is a good point. I think the key is they should have the ability to do well in that environment, even if not raised in it. A lot of that is management which might be more on topic in other threads, but to stay within the focus of this thread, selecting for vigor first goes a long way towards meeting those goals. Breed from the healthiest most active birds. As they're growing mark the ones that mature the fastest and outpace the others. If you do range pay attention to the birds that are the first out the door and last ones to roost. You can see even in the brooder the chicks that run around, taking interest in any changes compared to the ones that are just kind of simply there. Make sure your breeding program doesn't allow you to get too inbred and have the line suffer from it. Bob would always post about his clan/family type breeding programs and I think that's a good idea.

More thoughts maybe later, but those are just a few of the things you can do.

 

[Fred's Hens]

"3. Long, productive outdoor lifespan. Heritage Chicken must have the genetic ability to live a long, vigorous life and thrive in the rigors of pasture-based, outdoor production systems. Breeding hens should be productive for 5-7 years and roosters for 3-5 years."

Of course the SOP is the most important aspect of the Heritage Breed Definition, but not the only one. For me its more than just preserving the chicken, but the manner in how it is kept, as well. I know I am in the minority on this and I respect that. I hope the previous discussion on forage and cover crops would be considerate appropriate on the Farming and Homesteading with Heritage Breeds thread. There is no lack of emphasis on good breeding and the SOP on that thread, Joseph and many other see to that.

Thank you all for every thing I have learned so far.

Mark

Yes, Mark, there are a few definitions of "heritage" out there. LOL. If you're in a minority, it a rather large crowd of folks!!

But anyhow, the Conservatory (basically, a marketing group) clearly states SOP so we go from there in sorting it all out. For me? Personally? The word "utility" has taken on some different meanings in the last few years, but at the beginning of the last century, it was a respectful term, a term used to say a breed was productive. There are ornamental birds, I get that, and while our Rocks and Reds are sho 'nuff pretty, by golly, they darn well better be productive and faithful to their original intention. The SOP, the opening 30 pages or so, absolutely points toward utility and function following form. Without the proper form, thrift will not be there.

 

[Beekissed]

This bird belongs to one of Bob's friends, Jim Volk, and as the picture is labeled went Reserve Large Fowl at the WFF show last weekend. Not the best photo to evaluate but thought it was appropriate to share it anyway.

Sure wish you had a broad side of that bird! What a gorgeous animal and my very favorite breed!

 

[gjensen]

Is anyone out there looking for a particular Heritage Large Fowl breed?
Need a reference for a quality strain? Need Help making a decision on
which HLF to get? Thinking about strain-crossing your HLF and need advice?
This thread is here to help. It is its purpose. Ask away!
Best,
Karen

Yes. If the question was posted here, chances are that some can be found. This is a good place to ask and get started.

 

[gjensen]

Sure wish you had a broad side of that bird! What a gorgeous animal and my very favorite breed!

Maybe we can get Jeremy to post a couple of his winners in the mean time. I like seeing good White Rocks myself.

 

[BGMatt]

Sure wish you had a broad side of that bird! What a gorgeous animal and my very favorite breed!

I wish too. Totally just swiped the picture off the club's page though. Got too busy reconnecting with people and slacked off my photo duties.

 

[filumene]

Hi,
I have a question for you guy's. I know this is not exactly with topic for the thread, but there seems to be a steady flow of wise chicken breeders here willing to share their experience.

I just paid a fair amount to have a cockerel shipped to me. Upon inspection I noticed small brown fast moving insects. I am assuming these are lice(from what I've read). I just saw a handful on his neck and did not even bother finishing the inspection. I really am not comfortable with having him. I do keep an eye on my flock and have not seen any on my birds or had any complaints on birds I sold.

What would you guys advice? Keep him isolated and treat him, or send him back? Thanks.

 

[Wisher1000]

It happens. If you are satisfied in every other way, it is an easy fix. Keep him separate and treat for bugs. When I get new adult or juvenile birds, I quarantine, worm, and treat for lice/mites, even if I don't see any.

 

[catdaddyfro]

Hi,
I have a question for you guy's. I know this is not exactly with topic for the thread, but there seems to be a steady flow of wise chicken breeders here willing to share their experience.

I just paid a fair amount to have a cockerel shipped to me. Upon inspection I noticed small brown fast moving insects. I am assuming these are lice(from what I've read). I just saw a handful on his neck and did not even bother finishing the inspection. I really am not comfortable with having him. I do keep an eye on my flock and have not seen any on my birds or had any complaints on birds I sold.

What would you guys advice? Keep him isolated and treat him, or send him back? Thanks.

probly mites, lice aren't too fast(the old saying: he moves so slow the dead lice are falling off of him) anyway check over to the https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures there should be plenty of treatment threads there. if he's nice an good I'd treat him and keep isolated from the others and treat them too as those critters can flurry fast. But yeah its cheaper to keep him than ship him the bird may not have letf the farm that way it could have contracted them in shipment(worse things have happened)J/S

Jeff

 

[BGMatt]

Hi,
I have a question for you guy's. I know this is not exactly with topic for the thread, but there seems to be a steady flow of wise chicken breeders here willing to share their experience.  

I just paid a fair amount to have a cockerel shipped to me. Upon inspection I noticed small brown fast moving insects. I am assuming these are lice(from what I've read). I just saw a handful on his neck and did not even bother finishing the inspection. I really am not comfortable with having him. I do keep an eye on my flock and have not seen any on my birds or had any complaints on birds I sold. 

What would you guys advice? Keep him isolated and treat him, or send him back? Thanks.

Mites or lice are just part of poultry. Just treat him. I prefer eprinex (1 cc dose for large fowl). But there are a ton of different ways to treat, and an entire forum dedicated to health issues. But sending a bird back just for a few bugs seems overkill (although I wouldn't condone someone sending birds with bugs).

Had a friend of a friend contact me today, they're looking for some good, real, standard bred Golden Laced Wyandottes. Does anyone have a lead for them?