Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[Arielle]

minthius-- you never know who lives near you--- Mr Rhodes lives 15 minutes from me.

edited for clarity-- Mr Rhodes is not my mentor . . .butI would sure love it . . . just saying you might be surprized who is nearby.

 

[mithious]

minthius-- you never know who lives near you--- Mr Rhodes lives 15 minutes from me.

edited for clarity-- Mr Rhodes is not my mentor . . .butI would sure love it . . . just saying you might be surprized who is nearby.

I'm really hoping I can find some people near me. That is one of the reasons I am going. I expect there will be people, tons of them, I'm really hoping any way! Want to see the birds too and see what is showing well for around here and also just get a feel. Been a VERY long time since I have been to a show and much has changed. Maybe find that trio I have been looking for also

Thanks for the info on the Boston show also, I didn't see that one, when I was looking for regional sanctioned shows???? Maybe, if $$$ is there, might try to catch that one also

 

[Delight in Dominiques]

Poultry vaccination and poultry showing in PA, USA

http://cumberlink.com/news/local/ar...cle_298267be-74cf-11e3-aa33-0019bb2963f4.html


In the poultry building, several exhibitors were turned away with their birds after state Agriculture Department officials said the birds did not have the required LT-IVAS vaccination against infectious laryngotracheitis, a viral infection causing problems in birds’ respiratory tracts.
“We have to protect all the birds here,” said Deputy Agriculture Secretary Matthew Meals. “All chickens for exhibit must be from flocks vaccinated against this infection. The vaccine we required is the only acceptable one.”

===========================

" LT-IVAS "   vaccine
Infectious Laryngotracheitis Watery, inflamed, swollen eyes, swollen sinuses & wattles, nasal discharge, drop in egg production, coughing (sometimes with a bloody mucus), breathing through mouth with neck extended during inhale and head on breast with exhale, choking, rattling, drop in egg production or soft-shelled eggs. Spreads through flock in 2 to 6 weeks. Birds die or recover within 2 weeks of becoming sick. No effective treatment. Vaccinate to keep disease from spreading. Survivors are immune, but survivors and vaccinated birds are carriers. This is a reportable disease in most states. Once a vaccination program is started, follow-up vaccination is necessary.

=========================
http://en.wikivet.net/Avian_Infectious_Laryngotracheitis
ILT can be effectively controlled by vaccination. Vaccinated and unvaccinated birds should not be mixed due to the possibility of reversion to virulence.

======================
http://en.engormix.com/MA-poultry-i...ryngotracheitis-ilt-respiratory-t11858/p0.htm
Control focuses on management practices, emphasising strict biosecurity. Due to vaccination potential to cause disease, veterinary supervision is strongly recommended when the decision is made to go this route. Since both natural infection and vaccination have been shown to produce "carrier"  birds, it is extremely important that susceptible chicken flocks are not exposed to vaccinated or previously infected chickens. Mixing of birds should only be done when a complete history of the birds is available, and it is absolutely certain that a potential ILT "carrier"  is not present. Sanitation procedures, which include disinfection of equipment, boots and clothing and proper disposal of litter and carcasses, are essential components of ILT control.

 Best Regards,
 Kare

. Your quote from the concerns at this years PA farm show were correct. Chick embryo Lt vaccines were not accepted this year, and it did cause quite a problem for many exhibitors that thought they followed the proper guidelines to enter the Farm show. There is no new State guidelines for LT vaccination for other shows in the State that I have been informed of. I am a certified poultry tech with the state and set up two APA sanctioned poultry shows in PA every year. Hope that clears everything up for those wishing to exhibit in PA.

 

[3riverschick]

. Your quote from the concerns at this years PA farm show were correct. Chick embryo Lt vaccines were not accepted this year, and it did cause quite a problem for many exhibitors that thought they followed the proper guidelines to enter the Farm show. There is no new State guidelines for LT vaccination for other shows in the State that I have been informed of. I am a certified poultry tech with the state and set up two APA sanctioned poultry shows in PA every year. Hope that clears everything up for those wishing to exhibit in PA.

Since the only show my friend , the former 4H leader, was concerned with was the PA Farm Show, that explains a lot.
Thank You,
Karen

 

[3riverschick]

There is a big APA ABA sanctioned show in Springfield Mass. in January ( about 2-3 hours from me ). I am going to try to get to it this er next year. You all have me excited. Don't think I will take any birds, but, as you mentioned, might bring some home also, if I can find what I am looking for there

I'm getting more excited and looking for shows online lately to go to closer to me. Seems we do have a sanctioned one right here in NH, although it might be a fair? But as Walt said, better than nothing. I won't be bringing birds home from a fair any time soon though

or EVER but might be nice to see who is local and what they have! MAYBE find a mentor close by???? That would be just awesome

Not getting my hopes up on that one though, seeing where I live and all.

There is an all breed New Hampshire Poultry Fanciers Association which has a website. I was over there today just looking around.
Maybe something there for you? A neighbor you didn't know about?
Food for thought,
Karen

 

[tony4850]

I have been reading this thread for some time and have finally decided to share my Minorca project. First, a little about myself. I am a full time farmer, I have beef cattle, sheep, a farrow to finish hog operation and row crop growing tobacco, corn , soybeans and wheat as well as hay . And of course my chickens. We have sold eggs here my entire life starting with hybrid brown egg layers in the 60's. I keep 200 layers divided into 2 flocks. My "commercial flock " is comprised of approximately 125 hens all brown egg layers consisting of Golden Comets, Black Sex Links, Barred Rocks, Rhode Island Reds as well as a few Delewares and Black Austrolorps. The Comets make up the largest percentage obviously because of their production. The second flock are my Mediterraneans, comprised of Black Minorcas, Buff Minorcas, Anconas, Blue Andulusians and White Leghorns. There are approximately 75 hens in this group. They are all hatchery stock. Now this brings me to my project. I have always been interested in Minorcas and have talked with several people over the years who recalled their families having flocks of Minorcas prior to "the Leghorn Age" My research brought me to Dan Honour who suggested I get in contact with North Carolina breeder Richard Schock who has a fantastic strain of Minorcas. I contacted Richard and made a trip to North Carolina. I was amazed at the size and quality of Richards birds. I was able to purchase 3 roosters and 12 pullets. It's unbelievable at the difference between Richards birds and the hatchery birds . The best way to describe it is state the similarities , they are both black and have white ear lobes, that pretty much sums it up. Now in all fairness the production of the hatchery birds is good , both in egg number and size. I also have two hatchery roosters which are decent in type but are much much smaller in size. Now I am not interested in showing certainly not at this time. My interest is purely production. This Spring I put 5 groups in breeding pens. Each pen has 1 rooster and 3 hens. The first 2 pens are RS ( Richard Schock) birds. The third pen has a RS rooster and the best three hatchery stock hens that I have. These hens were selected for their production, certainly only one has the slightest touch of type. Pens 4 and 5 are hatchery males and RS females . I believe that the production of the hatchery females is superior to the "true" Minorcas. I am excited about the prospects of perhaps increasing production and increasing the overall size and type of the last three pens.Many thanks to Dan Honour for steering me in the right direction and to Richard Schock for his guidance . This will not be an overnight adventure but I believe a worthwhile one.

 

[3riverschick]

Hi Tony and

,
Sounds like a wonderful project!

Also shows the results of dedicated
research on one's chosen breed.

Looking forward to seeing pic of some of
those RS birds!

Congrats on your project!

Best Success,
Karen and the Light Sussex
in western PA, USA

 

[LindaB220]

I have been reading this thread for some time and have finally decided to share my Minorca project. First, a little about myself. I am a full time farmer, I have beef cattle, sheep, a farrow to finish hog operation and row crop growing tobacco, corn , soybeans and wheat as well as hay . And of course my chickens. We have sold eggs here my entire life starting with hybrid brown egg layers in the 60's. I keep 200 layers divided into 2 flocks. My "commercial flock " is comprised of approximately 125 hens all brown egg layers consisting of Golden Comets, Black Sex Links, Barred Rocks, Rhode Island Reds as well as a few Delewares and Black Austrolorps. The Comets make up the largest percentage obviously because of their production. The second flock are my Mediterraneans, comprised of Black Minorcas, Buff Minorcas, Anconas, Blue Andulusians and White Leghorns. There are approximately 75 hens in this group. They are all hatchery stock. Now this brings me to my project. I have always been interested in Minorcas and have talked with several people over the years who recalled their families having flocks of Minorcas prior to "the Leghorn Age" My research brought me to Dan Honour who suggested I get in contact with North Carolina breeder Richard Schock who has a fantastic strain of Minorcas. I contacted Richard and made a trip to North Carolina. I was amazed at the size and quality of Richards birds. I was able to purchase 3 roosters and 12 pullets. It's unbelievable at the difference between Richards birds and the hatchery birds . The best way to describe it is state the similarities , they are both black and have white ear lobes, that pretty much sums it up. Now in all fairness the production of the hatchery birds is good , both in egg number and size. I also have two hatchery roosters which are decent in type but are much much smaller in size. Now I am not interested in showing certainly not at this time. My interest is purely production. This Spring I put 5 groups in breeding pens. Each pen has 1 rooster and 3 hens. The first 2 pens are RS ( Richard Schock) birds. The third pen has a RS rooster and the best three hatchery stock hens that I have. These hens were selected for their production, certainly only one has the slightest touch of type. Pens 4 and 5 are hatchery males and RS females . I believe that the production of the hatchery females is superior to the "true" Minorcas. I am excited about the prospects of perhaps increasing production and increasing the overall size and type of the last three pens.Many thanks to Dan Honour for steering me in the right direction and to Richard Schock for his guidance . This will not be an overnight adventure but I believe a worthwhile one.

It sure looks like you are off to a good start. Keep us informed.

 

[subhanalah]

Since I have met you in person I have to say that I would not normally think anything would make you "giddy", but I'll take your word for it...........lol

Walt

I guess the computer really breaks down walls for some people,

 

[brahmabreeder]

Need some expert opinions! Rhode Island Whites were a breed I was researching along with the light brahmas. Getting the feeling RIW's are a bit too far gone for what we are able to do. Even the thread here on them doesn't have a lot of activity.

Am I correct in feeling I should remove them from my potential breeds list?

Just go with the brahmas!!