Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[LeslieDJoyce]

Precociousness?

Earlier maturation.

 

[crazyhen]

I have chosen Speckled Sussex as the breed I want to work with for many of the same reasons you listed for yours.  One of the neatest things I have run across was where a Breeder from England went through all the points listed in the SOP for Speckled Sussex and explained WHY that particular selection criteria was in the SOP.  It was all based on reasons of economy! 

Where have you found any really good speckled sussex? I have been considering getting some for a laying flock but also want them to be close the sop?

 

[Wisher1000]

Quote:
I have never heard it applied to chickens, children, yes, but not chickens.... I liked it!

 

[Sunflowergirl]

Where have you found any really good speckled sussex? I have been considering getting some for a laying flock but also want them to be close the sop?

Crazyhen, I got mine from Tony Albritton of Featherhills Farms of Idaho. He is one of THE breeders for SOP Speckled Sussex. I believe at this point, only way to contact him is via his phone number. His email is no longer viable.

edited to correct and add info.

 

[Sunflowergirl]

Cool. If you read stuff about assessing dual purpose birds for breeding potential, all the stuff they say to look for is supposed to produce better meat and eggs.

I figure if I select toward the type aspects of the SOP for my breed until I see more "stability" in my line, that should improve productivity along the way, too. Once I get the stability, then I could start selecting from within that for precociousness.

Originally I had thought I could work on both simultaneously, but really it's too much for me.

As a newbie to working with the SOP, I am finding that I tend to want to focus on the things that are easy to pick out, like earlier maturation, the size or no white wing feathers. I am going to have to force myself to read up and really learn the finer points!!!

 

[gjensen]

The SOP vs. production is a mute point. It is not an either/or, but a both/and. It is simple really. The process and the rhythm. It is not "too much" etc. It is only a matter of developing a seasonal rhythm by which you select your birds. There is no reason (excuse) to neglect either. It only requires putting our money where our mouth is and developing our own rhythm.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

As a newbie to working with the SOP, I am finding that I tend to want to focus on the things that are easy to pick out, like earlier maturation, the size or no white wing feathers. I am going to have to force myself to read up and really learn the finer points!!!

Last year was my first year hatching with standards. I spent a lot of time looking at cockerel combs and trying to not be overwhelmed by all the other stuff.

It's going to take a while before I learn to assess younger birds for very much. When they're older it's easier for me.

 

[MagicChicken]

Quote:
I have never heard it applied to chickens, children, yes, but not chickens.... I liked it!

Side note - ornithological terms of the day:

"Precocial" chicks can eat on their own shortly after hatching. The parents show them what to eat but do not feed them directly. Chickens, quail and ducks fall into this category.

"Altricial" chicks can't eat on their own until they are several weeks old. The parents have to take care of them. Most songbirds fall into that category.

Precocial chicks are precocious already. You can select for faster maturing birds, too. I like the term "precociousness" as well. Might have to adopt it.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

Side note - ornithological terms of the day:

"Precocial" chicks can eat on their own shortly after hatching. The parents show them what to eat but do not feed them directly. Chickens, quail and ducks fall into this category.

"Altricial" chicks can't eat on their own until they are several weeks old. The parents have to take care of them. Most songbirds fall into that category.

Precocial chicks are precocious already. You can select for faster maturing birds, too. I like the term "precociousness" as well. Might have to adopt it.

I'm always amazed at how well the chicks can get along. I had this clutch of mutt chicks hatch here this year ... testing out a peculiar mutt pullet/hen that decided she wanted to be broody just at her first "birthday." VERY peculiar pullet/hen, so I didn't want to give her a breeding clutch. She turned out to be a "crummy mummy," taking the chicks so far out into the field to forage that she lost most of them to the hawks, but she had the tiniest chicks up on the roost with her at night starting at about 10 days old. Talk about precocious. She herself was back to laying right away, too.

Meanwhile, the 15 week-old Delaware pullets still make me hand carry them to bed after dark. It's getting old.

 

[neopolitancrazy]

 The SOP vs. production is a mute point. It is not an either/or, but a both/and. It is simple really. The process and the rhythm. It is not "too much" etc. It is only a matter of developing a seasonal rhythm by which you select your birds. There is no reason (excuse) to neglect either. It only requires putting our money where our mouth is and developing our own rhythm.

I heartily agree that the debating between "SOP" and production is a moot point. My first two years with standard-bred poultry I tried to work with Dorkings before deciding they needed more work than I was willing to do. One of the most valuable lessons I learned was from Joseph of Yellow House Farms, when he said to select for vigor first, then size, then type, (shape.)