Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[Arielle]

Over the last few days I have started looking more closely at the speckled sussex that I have . That is evaluating which of the roosters get to stay on for breeding duty. I have noticed that in evaluating the set of the tail the stance of the bird can make all the difference, so it seems. WHent he cckls are out free ranging and I stop to look one over. THe head raies up and the tail raises up, until the squirrel tail is very apparent. THe more I watch an individual cckl, the worse he looks. I was convinced that all my cckls this year had squirrel tail.

Until when they went to roost last night, and I saw the tails relax and the head come down. THe tails are not squirrel tails and the back is longer . . .

When or how is the best way to set up a cckl to see him at his best??

 

[thedragonlady]

Over the last few days I have started looking more closely at the speckled sussex that I have . That is evaluating which of the roosters get to stay on for breeding duty. I have noticed that in evaluating the set of the tail the stance of the bird can make all the difference, so it seems. WHent he cckls are out free ranging and I stop to look one over. THe head raies up and the tail raises up, until the squirrel tail is very apparent. THe more I watch an individual cckl, the worse he looks. I was convinced that all my cckls this year had squirrel tail.

Until when they went to roost last night, and I saw the tails relax and the head come down. THe tails are not squirrel tails and the back is longer . . .

When or how is the best way to set up a cckl to see him at his best??

I have a 2 hole show coop hanging at eye level in my main coop. I use it to break broodies, as well as to evaluate birds.I'll put 2, or 3, young birds in it, and seeing them at eye level really makes a difference.It's amazing how helpful it is to get the birds on eye level.It beats lying down in the yard to get a look ! This is, after all, the way they be judged at a show also.

 

[7961]

Yesterday I went to the Ohio National Poultry Show in Columbus, Ohio. I did not show but thoroughly enjoyed my time as an attendee. I heard there was almost 6000 birds entered and 501 exhibitors. The biggest show that I had ever been to and maybe a little overwhelming but still a great experience. A couple things of interest that I noted was the Champion American Class - a New Hampshire cockerel exhibited by Guy Roy of Massachusetts. He also had reserve breed with a pullet. Note the pics..they are not great as they are from my phone. The males were the nicest NH's that I had ever personally ever seen. Allen Smith was there..very approachable and a pleasure to speak with. Too much to list. Anyway, That was my quick recap.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: How much time do you give the birds to adjust to hanging in the air. I would think fear alters the stance of the bird --- or no?

Can I breed out squirrel tail??

 

[har]

Way to go New Hampshire's

 

[Fred's Hens]

Can I breed out squirrel tail??

The difficulty with breeding it out is that it is not the feathers, but the underlying body structure that is at fault, in most cases. If it is severe and wide spread in your stock, I'd personally not like to take the 5 years of time and commitment.

It you must, then you will absolutely need a male that is overly wide in the rear and holds his super full tail in a low hung position. Such a cockbird could provide some compensatory aspect to the offspring. Still, it will take lots of generations and lots of culling to rid the line of the poor underlying structure. Anyhow, that's my personal take.

 

[thedragonlady]

How much time do you give the birds to adjust to hanging in the air. I would think fear alters the stance of the bird --- or no?

Can I breed out squirrel tail??

The birds do not object to this coop, as it has a wood floor, and shavings. After 5 minutes, they relax, and you can compare them well. If you are going to show birds, they need to get used to show coops too. Here's what I use,,,,





I was evaluating 5 month old Buff pullets here.

It is very possible to breed out Squirrel tail if that is what it truly is.

 

[Arielle]

Thank you Fred and TheDragon Lady-- I'm am just trying to learn on the crappy birds that I have. No intention of showing these, but trying to have strong and healthy utility birds at best. For now I don't have a heart attack if a coyote grabs one. Which they do. I keep the roosters to guard the hens while out foraging, but they also will be the fathers of the next generation, so I might as well learn how to see and select breeders.

Will put my hands on each of the cckls again tonight and feel the back and hip area for width.

 

[thedragonlady]

Thank you Fred and TheDragon Lady-- I'm am just trying to learn on the crappy birds that I have. No intention of showing these, but trying to have strong and healthy utility birds at best. For now I don't have a heart attack if a coyote grabs one. Which they do. I keep the roosters to guard the hens while out foraging, but they also will be the fathers of the next generation, so I might as well learn how to see and select breeders.

Will put my hands on each of the cckls again tonight and feel the back and hip area for width.

Width in the pelvic area is a good thing. I want to see my breeders as wide in the hips, as they are in the shoulders.Don't forget how important a deep fore chest is too !

 

[Arielle]

Quote: THe tail and hip issue is just one aspect to consider.

While putting them away one by one last night I was feeling the breast area and was pleasantly surprized to find some variation between cckls.