Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

 
Bringing this thread back to Heritage Large Fowl:

My Black Java breeding program took a backwards turn today.  I had to kill my largest, best-looking cock.  This leaves me with only one cock.  I do have a few chicks from the recently dispatched bird, so maybe his type-related genes are still in the flock.  It made me sad to kill him.  I will miss seeing him around the yard.   Unfortunately he flogged me one too many times. I won't miss the bruises and scabs.  He made the best soup I have ever eaten.

While I was at it I also butchered the smallest five-month-old cockerel from last fall's broody hatch.  I was surprised to discover that his testes were more than twice the size of the testes from the much larger, much more aggressive cock.  I would have thought it would be the other way around.

Sarah


Sounds like you took a huge step forward and not a step back. ;-)
 
When it comes to dogs, the owner factor is at play to.

I see a lot of people raise their dogs like they raise their kids and have the same kinds of trouble with each. Some people making raising either look very difficult.
 
 When it comes to dogs, the owner factor is at play to.

 I see a lot of people raise their dogs like they raise their kids and have the same kinds of trouble with each. Some people making raising either look very difficult.

And unfortunately many I see shouldn't be raising either. ;-P
 
Bringing this thread back to Heritage Large Fowl:

My Black Java breeding program took a backwards turn today. I had to kill my largest, best-looking cock. This leaves me with only one cock. I do have a few chicks from the recently dispatched bird, so maybe his type-related genes are still in the flock. It made me sad to kill him. I will miss seeing him around the yard. Unfortunately he flogged me one too many times. I won't miss the bruises and scabs. He made the best soup I have ever eaten.

While I was at it I also butchered the smallest five-month-old cockerel from last fall's broody hatch. I was surprised to discover that his testes were more than twice the size of the testes from the much larger, much more aggressive cock. I would have thought it would be the other way around.

Sarah
In a very direct way, the means by which we protect our chickens is germane and discussing which dogs do the best job can help some who lack knowledge of dogs, make a more educated decision if they decide to go with a canine helper so in other words...the discussion regarding various livestock/watch dogs was directly on track.
 
So, without the intention to offend, but rather with the intention to promote.

I would never feel safe with fewer that four cocks, because I would never want fewer that three cocks, and with four cocks, I could stand losing on.

In theory one doesn't breed from a man-fighter, but it is better than cutting your flock too thin. Better to breed from a manfighter and then cull for temperament than start over with bringing in new blood for no other reason than there aren't enough cocks on hand. Bringing in new blood frequently has a destabilizing effect on a breeding program; if developing consistent stock is a goal, it's a last resort move.

Reducing down to one cock is going to accelerate the need to bring in more stock. If that male was over females, I'd hatch every one of their eggs until they come clear.
 
Joseph, this feather stuff got me thinking and looking. I handled a couple pullets yesterday, and the width is similar to your own. Quite wide in some of these pullets. They just are not sturdy.

I do not want the feather to be too soft and to lay semi tight. I do not want to get soft looking. Would not fit them well, or any Med well.

I think we got away from Lacy's and Magic Chicken's thoughts too fast. I just have nothing of value to offer.

I cannot see being able to se anything until they are feathered out. I know that faster feathering does not necessarily mean better feather. I know that if they are getting feed decent feed and receiving good care, it is genetic. Other than that, I do not know much more.
I can see it, but do not know anything about getting there with a flock that does not already have it.

I found a couple articles, but I do not have permission to post them.
 
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So, without the intention to offend, but rather with the intention to promote.

I would never feel safe with fewer that four cocks, because I would never want fewer that three cocks, and with four cocks, I could stand losing on.

In theory one doesn't breed from a man-fighter, but it is better than cutting your flock too thin. Better to breed from a manfighter and then cull for temperament than start over with bringing in new blood for no other reason than there aren't enough cocks on hand. Bringing in new blood frequently has a destabilizing effect on a breeding program; if developing consistent stock is a goal, it's a last resort move.

Reducing down to one cock is going to accelerate the need to bring in more stock. If that male was over females, I'd hatch every one of their eggs until they come clear.
I liked advice that I heard too keep as many males again that you intended to use. In other words, three cocks for two families. I can see six being too much for someone that kept four families, but the point is still the same. Not get backed into a corner.
 
So, without the intention to offend, but rather with the intention to promote.

I would never feel safe with fewer that four cocks, because I would never want fewer that three cocks, and with four cocks, I could stand losing on.

In theory one doesn't breed from a man-fighter, but it is better than cutting your flock too thin. Better to breed from a manfighter and then cull for temperament than start over with bringing in new blood for no other reason than there aren't enough cocks on hand. Bringing in new blood frequently has a destabilizing effect on a breeding program; if developing consistent stock is a goal, it's a last resort move.

Reducing down to one cock is going to accelerate the need to bring in more stock. If that male was over females, I'd hatch every one of their eggs until they come clear.

No offense at all. I feel the same way. I do have four five-month-old cockerels remaining from last fall's broody hatch, and my cockerel/pullet ratio for this year's chicks is looking like it's 2:1 or more. There are replacements in the works. Some will be from my remaining cock, a few will be from the one I just butchered, and some may be random because one of my breeder hens escaped the breeding pen one day while the bachelor boys were out and from that point on I have no idea who sired her chicks. The bachelors were cocks from last year, now culled because I had better birds growing out and needed the room. I have been eating a lot of chicken.

All viable eggs from that aggressive male have been hatched. He didn't sire many. I don't think the hens liked him much. I will watch his chicks closely for temperament.

My breeding program took another unexpected seemingly-backward turn last night. Went out to check the coops before going to bed and found my formerly favorite hen feet-up on the ground below the perch. She was my favorite because she appeared sturdy and vigorous, she was a great broody, she laid well, and her chicks popped out of their eggs like popcorn. She is suddenly my least favorite because she died of internal issues at a few months over one year old. I am going to have to be very careful about using her chicks in any breeding program. Unfortunately she had more chicks than any of my other breeder hens. This seemingly-backward turn is a blessing in disguise. I am glad I haven't culled any females yet, from either generation.

Note to self: When all the other hens have damaged feathers due to rooster treading, and one hen has back feathers in great condition, it may not be because that one hen has stronger feathers than anyone else. More likely there is something wrong with her. Especially if she used to be one of the rooster's favorites.

For you newbies, these are all reasons why the experienced folks say to breed from older stock. You don't know what you really have until the birds are a few years old.

Sarah
 
So, without the intention to offend, but rather with the intention to promote.

I would never feel safe with fewer that four cocks, because I would never want fewer that three cocks, and with four cocks, I could stand losing on.

In theory one doesn't breed from a man-fighter, but it is better than cutting your flock too thin. Better to breed from a manfighter and then cull for temperament than start over with bringing in new blood for no other reason than there aren't enough cocks on hand. Bringing in new blood frequently has a destabilizing effect on a breeding program; if developing consistent stock is a goal, it's a last resort move.

Reducing down to one cock is going to accelerate the need to bring in more stock. If that male was over females, I'd hatch every one of their eggs until they come clear.

Always plan ahead... and this is a good plan.
I keep several extra of each of my two breeds until my 2 breeding cocks from each breed have hatched chicks on the ground.
Those extra cockerels taste just yummy at 10 months... butchered 4 last weekend after making sure the "chosen two" from last year were all they were cracked up to be.
 
When it comes to dogs, the owner factor is at play to.

I see a lot of people raise their dogs like they raise their kids and have the same kinds of trouble with each. Some people making raising either look very difficult.
For what it's worth . . . teachers have always complimented me on my well behaved children. I've raised my kids with the same respect and care that I raised my dogs.
 

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