Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[Beekissed]

I didn't realize how "on-board" my wife was with our chicken adventure. When Bob put us in contact with Marvin Stukel, he was headed our direction and volunteered to bring a White Rock trio within an hours drive for us. Now, his trip got cancelled, but he's going to the Tucson Poultry Show in a couple of weeks and asked if we'd be there. I ran it by my wife, and she said let's go. It's a 7 hour, 500 mile drive(one-way) to get chickens. I figure why not? We can talk chicken hands-on with Marvin and look at lots of others while we're there.

By the way, Marvin has upped the ante. I don't know why, but he said he would sell(give) us 4 pair at the original price of $50. That's about 1/3 the price of hatchery juveniles.

Anyway, if I get to meet with Marvin in person, what questions should I be asking? We spent a while on the phone the other day, so I have some background info.

He's had his White Rock line for 25 yrs. Bred in 2 unrelated WR hens 15 yrs ago. Doesn't think new blood needs to be added. Rotational pen breeding program. Toe punches chicks by pen. This year, he hatched about 40-50 WR's(this is normal). Resulted in 9 hens, the rest were cockerels. They are not at POL yet.

I do not know who he got his original WR's from.

I don't want to insult him by asking only questions about improving faults, so a few suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
colburg

No questions to add, but can I beg a favor? Can you post pics of your new acquisitions so I can drool a lot? That's my favorite breed and I love to see them done right.

I showed up a little after that. Good to sere you on this thread Bee.

w.

Hey, Walt!

I still think you are handsome too...twice as handsome as men half as old! Good to see you!

 

[3riverschick]

Well, after leaving at 4 a.m. we are finally back and ensconced in the house. The birds are still in their temp coops in a warm room with goodies and Poultry Nutri-Drench water. It was dark when we got home and windy, so we will put them in their permanent coops tomorrow. I have a new laying pullet, she is very nice. The other breeder took one of my boys. So next Spring is outcross time and I am looking forward to seeing what God will wrought. We got there about 8:30 and the show closed at 10:30. So we didn't take any pics. Just hurried around on business and to see the birds before they were uncooped. There was a stunning Buff Orpington that took Reserve English. It was just huge! I wondered if it was one of Dragonlady's birds. Then there was a RIR that won Best of Breed. He was so dark he almost looked black. The recessive black gene was really doing its thing with his plumage. The grey goose that won best Overall was simply huge. Don't know the breed but it was an old gander.
This was the first year they had pigeons at the show and things worked out very well. So they hope to have them next year. There wasn't much to see in vendors since Sat.as the big day and we arrived 2 hrs. before closing. Got to meet the great folks from BoxesforBirds.com I love their boxes. They drove all the way up from Arkansas and had a great weekend. Meyer was there and Twin City Supplies. Got to finally see those Kriepper Coops. Was surprised to find the double coop for my adult Sussex was under 45. . I have to get some so I can line up birds for eval like ya'll did this year.
Everyone was so nice and helpful. This is the first big poultry show I had ever been too. There was a Mallard male duck that was flying around the inside of the building. Every time it flew over the duck section, they all started quacking encouragement. The poultry folk were commenting,,,, they are quacking Go For It! Fly! It was really funny to see.
They had a table inside for "lost and found" birds. Folk turned loose birds in there so their owners could pick them up. I don't know about that White Leghorn/(or Rock). It got loose outside as we drove up and the owners were chasing it as it lead them on a merry chase around the grounds. I sure hope they caught it. It was high stepping across the lawn like the old poster "truckin. down the road".
I think I would have got more out of it if I had known what was going on. I did read the coop tags looking for Judge's notes, but mostly did not understand them when I saw them, smile. It was a great time., tho we were rushed by timing. I was so impressed by how helpful everyone was. Just having a good time.
Best,
Karen

 

[NanaKat]

Glad you made it home safely with your new birds. Sounds like a whirlwind trip!

 

[Arielle]

Karen glad you got your new birds!!

 

[Yellow House Farm]

Greetings!

I returned late last night from the Ohio National and had a wonderful experience--too much to cram into a quick message. I had the pleasure of meeting several folks from this page, and it was wonderful to visit. It was wonderful to be surrounded by so many excellent birds.

There was a huge sadness......there were no large fowl Hamburgs in the open show....none...not one....

I find shows to be like going to an old-fashioned spiritual revival. I return with renewed focus and clarity of purpose. Coming away from this, our largest and most prestigious American poultry show, I am refreshed but also very aware that we really do need folks to graduate from the, "I just have hens Bessie and Bittie for eggs that are just so cute" stage to one that is grounded concretely in APA/ABA culture. We need folks to take the plunge and adopt a breed as their breed. I say "we", but "we" means "they". They need breeders. They need hardcore, serious breeders that are going to hatch, weigh, select, and cull, cull, cull. They need breeders who aren't going to lose in in committee or become embroiled in excuses. That there were only 4 Minorcas, no, Hamburgs, no Andalusians, no Buttercups, no Houdans, no Lakenvelders, no White-Faced Black Spanish, no Crevecoeurs, no Redcaps, etc.... is a tragedy.

Let's really kick it up. If you still haven't chosen your breed, there's much food for thought.

 

[Apdeb]

Joe i brought back 2 hamburgs for eddie good my Barnevelder partner!!! I am faithfully comitted to my Barnies!!! Loved the show
It was bird heaven!!! I know for a fact daniel conrad is working on la fleche and laura is taking on lakenvelders

 

[har]

 

[Extra Java]

Greetings!

I returned late last night from the Ohio National and had a wonderful experience--too much to cram into a quick message. I had the pleasure of meeting several folks from this page, and it was wonderful to visit. It was wonderful to be surrounded by so many excellent birds.

There was a huge sadness......there were no large fowl Hamburgs in the open show....none...not one....

I find shows to be like going to an old-fashioned spiritual revival. I return with renewed focus and clarity of purpose. Coming away from this, our largest and most prestigious American poultry show, I am refreshed but also very aware that we really do need folks to graduate from the, "I just have hens Bessie and Bittie for eggs that are just so cute" stage to one that is grounded concretely in APA/ABA culture. We need folks to take the plunge and adopt a breed as their breed. I say "we", but "we" means "they". They need breeders. They need hardcore, serious breeders that are going to hatch, weigh, select, and cull, cull, cull. They need breeders who aren't going to lose in in committee or become embroiled in excuses. That there were only 4 Minorcas, no, Hamburgs, no Andalusians, no Buttercups, no Houdans, no Lakenvelders, no White-Faced Black Spanish, no Crevecoeurs, no Redcaps, etc.... is a tragedy.

Let's really kick it up. If you still haven't chosen your breed, there's much food for thought.

In Ventura, CA (a few weeks ago) there were quite a few Silver Spangled Hamburgs (LF)
Also, there were Blue Andalusians and White Faced Black Spanish... Another good breed slipping away - 3 Faverolles total.

I agree, the breeds mentioned above are in urgent need of dedicated and focused breeders.

 

[fowlman01]

In Ventura, CA (a few weeks ago) there were quite a few Silver Spangled Hamburgs (LF)
Also, there were Blue Andalusians and White Faced Black Spanish... Another good breed slipping away - 3 Faverolles total.

I agree, the breeds mentioned above are in urgent need of dedicated and focused breeders.

I am seeing everything here in Cali except Redcaps. We had Res American in one show in Bakersfield and Reserve of Show in the other show this weekend. The New Hamps are dominating the American Class so far this season. The first show of the dual shows we were beat by Bob's favorite......RIR Pullet by Dave Anderson which was also Res of Show in the first show we had Res of show in the second show...if any of this makes sense.....lol

Walt

 

[Extra Java]

Congrats Walt!

Will you be attending the Perris, CA show in December?