Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[3riverschick]

I dont think you well regret your decision.

Hi Hellbender,
I don't think I will regret it either. I know the old time cocks were chunkier, however one just has to admire the skill that went into creating the way the front and rear of the current of the cocks are balanced upon the fulcrum of the legs. Very clever.
Best,
Karen

 

[Wisher1000]

I recently found several of you on FB and just wanted to thank those of you who accepted my friend requests without knowing who was asking!

 

[gjensen]

I recently found several of you on FB and just wanted to thank those of you who accepted my friend requests without knowing who was asking!

I knew who it was. Your birds gave you away.

 

[Wisher1000]

Actually, I used that pic for that reason! I had not had any pics of my birds on FB before that. None of my family are interested and tend to roll their eyes when I start talking about them.

I have to get my fix here, but now that I have some "chicken friends" I may have to talk about them there more often!

I was thrilled to have Mr. Bob Rhodes of Massachusetts come to my place and help me select my breeders for this spring. He is a master breeder and fifth generation chicken man. He has 80 years of experience and is my breeding partner. He was very complimentary of my birds and progress and even told my husband that my birds were the best in the country! I was humbled. He is a wonderful man and I enjoyed his visit immensely!


I now have two pens with a cock and five hens, each as well as 10+ "spare" hens in the egg flock. I kept two additional cocks and I'm taking the best of the culls to Newnan to show and offer for sale. I am not confident that they will sell, nobody knows what they are!

 

[finnfur]

I have heard Silver Campines are a tough breed to get correct. So if you have some of the best in the country
you should be proud of the accomplishment.

 

[Wisher1000]

Whoa, now, Finnfur. I didn't say they were correct.

Yes, they are a very difficult pattern, and are far, F A R from standard, but I (we) had to start somewhere. I had never raised birds to SOP, but I had my heart set on them. On several occasions I was told by knowledgeable breeders to start with good birds from established lines, solid colored, near standard, easier. I'm hardheaded, and truthfully, no other breed appealed to me the way the Campines did and still do. So, I set out with reckless abandon...
I started with a collection I put together from Minnesota and Texas. Last year, I used a cock that Bob gave me, and two of the hens I used were (3/4) crossed with SL Wyandotte

Hey, so far so good, some of the 7/8 birds hatched in 2015 were larger with much better barring in the tail, both traits are greatly needed. Some were...............uh, well ............interesting. They are not a breed for anyone intent on winning shows. I am happy to make progress from year to year. I must admit, this past hatching season, gave me the best jump in progress that I have ever had with them. Most years, up to now, I struggled just to have enough, come spring, to breed from. This past year, I hatched tons! I culled over 70 roosters, and have nearly 30 in my egg flock (my version of culling hens, sorry Joseph.) I have sold a few culls to backyarders who thought they were pretty but had no clue what they were supposed to look like, and I'm ready to sell some a little better at Newnan. I have entered 10 (6 cockerels, 3 pullets.) I don't want to bring any of them home. I am not interested in selling any of my breeders, no one would pay what they are worth to me.... of course if I was made an offer I couldn't refuse, I would entertain it.

 

[gjensen]

They are beautiful birds, and a breed that I would like to see more of. They are an attractive and practical option.

Many of the homestead types that adhere to a "sustainable" philosophy, also go with a bigger is better mentality, which is ironic. The opposite is true if you want to be consistent. I am not implying that anyone should, or am I discussing the merits and demerits of these philosophies. What I am pointing out is that this small breed of large fowl would cost much less to breed in any quantity. They would truly be a practical option, requiring less resources.

It may be that I give this breed a try one day. They appeal to me. They have a delightful color pattern, and give the impression that they are sharp and active.

 

[gjensen]

Whoa, now, Finnfur. I didn't say they were correct.

Yes, they are a very difficult pattern, and are far, F A R from standard, but I (we) had to start somewhere. I had never raised birds to SOP, but I had my heart set on them. On several occasions I was told by knowledgeable breeders to start with good birds from established lines, solid colored, near standard, easier. I'm hardheaded, and truthfully, no other breed appealed to me the way the Campines did and still do. So, I set out with reckless abandon...
I started with a collection I put together from Minnesota and Texas. Last year, I used a cock that Bob gave me, and two of the hens I used were (3/4) crossed with SL Wyandotte

Hey, so far so good, some of the 7/8 birds hatched in 2015 were larger with much better barring in the tail, both traits are greatly needed. Some were...............uh, well ............interesting. They are not a breed for anyone intent on winning shows. I am happy to make progress from year to year. I must admit, this past hatching season, gave me the best jump in progress that I have ever had with them. Most years, up to now, I struggled just to have enough, come spring, to breed from. This past year, I hatched tons! I culled over 70 roosters, and have nearly 30 in my egg flock (my version of culling hens, sorry Joseph.) I have sold a few culls to backyarders who thought they were pretty but had no clue what they were supposed to look like, and I'm ready to sell some a little better at Newnan. I have entered 10 (6 cockerels, 3 pullets.) I don't want to bring any of them home. I am not interested in selling any of my breeders, no one would pay what they are worth to me.... of course if I was made an offer I couldn't refuse, I would entertain it.

Not many breeds or varieties are for winning shows. In each class, only a few consistently win. If we all went with that as a priority, we would not have the variety that we do have to enjoy.

I did not go with my Catalanas to win shows. I did not get into them to be unique. The breed fascinated me, and I saw potential. I did not realize how much that I would like them until I had them. What began as a side project, has become my main effort.

 

[Wisher1000]

Quote:
"It may be that I give this breed a try one day. They appeal to me. They have a delightful color pattern, and give the impression that they are sharp and active."

Very much so, George. They are often referred to as flighty, but they are not too bad. My very first came from Ideal Hatchery, they were quick, curious, and chatty. They were under my feet all the time, but didn't care to be touched or held. They are good fliers that forage well and evade predators well.

When you get ready for some, let me know! Are you going to Newnan?

In the Continental Class, the WCB Polish seem to be the main winners, especially at the bigger shows like Columbus. There are some serious breeder with years and years of improvements behind their birds. I would drive myself to discontent if I were competitive. I can see how it would be a nice reward for all the hard work that goes into that one "champion" bird, but I get that rush from seeing one on my pasture that gives me goose bumps and swells my heart when it walks by. I don't get that feeling from any other bird at the shows. I sometimes really want another (additional) breed, and have tried a few, but nothing can replace my Silvers.

 

[neopolitancrazy]

..., but I (we) had to start somewhere. I had never raised birds to SOP, but I had my heart set on them. On several occasions I was told by knowledgeable breeders to start with good birds from established lines, solid colored, near standard, easier. I'm hardheaded, and truthfully, no other breed appealed to me the way the Campines did and still do. So, I set out with reckless abandon...

You give me hope.

For over 35 years, my "happy chicken daydreams" revolved around Silver Gray Dorkings. I gave up on them after 3 years of disappointment in the quality of the stock I was able to procure. I am currently working with Blue Laced Red Wyandottes, learning a lot and having fun. These BLRWs are much closer to their proposed standard than the SGDs I was able to hatch, and my eyes and brain say I am better off with the Wyandottes, in any variety, than with Silver Gray Dorkings. My heart still wants Dorkings. Of the 10,000 birds on display at Columbus in 2014, and the 1500 birds in last year's Bluebonnet Classic, all I wanted to look at were Silver Duckwings, any breed, any size. The only "shape" I like is the Dorking type, though the Schilling-type Wyandottes are pretty, too.

I don't have the infrastructure to support growing out many birds, yet(!) I am also learning a good deal about the higher level of care and knowledge required to breed chickens to a standard, rather than sourcing chicks from a hatchery. I am learning how to find answers to my questions despite the difficulty in finding real world mentors. I expect that when I have a good supply of chicken tractors/pens, I will switch back to Silver Gray Dorkings. While the Dorkings I worked with, from 3 sources, were all over the place in size/type/temperament/coloring, they all had a situational awareness unequalled by any other chicken I have encountered. While these Wyandottes are placid, the Dorkings were (mostly) calm, but with double to triple the intelligence. The Dorkings may be "just chickens," but I think they can do a good bit of integrative thought and problem-solving. They were more than trainable, quickly learning how to beg for treats, or to be let out of their pens to free range.

Thank you for sharing,
Angela