Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[tnspursfan09]

You have a very level headed view of this. It takes some time to sort through it all, and even learn what you like or want to do. Chickens are enjoyable, regardless where they fit in.

Truly, I don't have near the experience yet to even think about breeding for standard. I'm enjoying the eggs and having a blast learning all the strange quirks of my chickens, watching them be chickens. My Grandbaby and I are both learning together. We have a little Brinsea mini eco and hatched our own last Nov. from our TSC BOs. I have no interest in showing, but it would be nice, eventually to have some better quality chickens to raise. Ones who will live longer and healthier lives. There is a breeder who lives nearby who I will be visiting this spring for my next chicks. When we had a lone hatch on our first try with the incubator and he gave us a chick to keep her company. One of his culls, but we love him.

Cricket (the Bantam Menace)

 

[hellbender]

I was trying to get you in trouble.

Really, I was just commenting on the tendency to expect our birds to act as we would. I get a kick out of reading that stuff.

I was just joking...and alluding to my recent near-terminal case of 'hoof in mouth'.

 

[hellbender]

Ew. I guess it wouldn't require plucking

.

They look so pathetic, I don't think I could do it a harm...reminds me of pics/movies of people rescued from Auschwitz-Birkenau.

 

[3riverschick]

Thank you so much for your answer. That's about what I was thinking, as well. Not that I'm ready to take on a project, yet...I'm not. This is only my second year with chickens and right now I'm still learning how to care for them and keep them healthy.

Again, thank you for answering.

Jump on in with both feet! You only need a pair or trio to start!!

Well it costs just as much to feed a production bird as a heritage bird. Why not get on someone's list for this Spring? The top breeders will be hatching soon. That way you won't miss the season and have to wait another year. Also ask around. Some breeder may have breeders he/she is retiring this year. You could pick them up and hatch another season from them. That way you would know exactly the quality of your birds. And have a seller who could advise on the 1st breeding.
Best,
Karen

 

[tnspursfan09]

   Jump on in with both feet! You only need a pair or trio to start!!

Well it costs just as much to feed a production bird as a heritage bird. Why not get on someone's list for this Spring? The top breeders will be hatching soon. That way you won't miss the season and have to wait another year. Also ask around. Some breeder may have breeders he/she is retiring this year. You could pick them up and hatch another season from them. That way you would know exactly the quality of your birds. And have a seller who could advise on the 1st breeding.
 Best,
 Karen

Thanks, Karen. I do have some friends on BYC who are willing to trade some eggs this spring for some of my daylilies and peonies.

 

[3riverschick]

Thanks, Karen. I do have some friends on BYC who are willing to trade some eggs this spring for some of my daylilies and peonies.

See now, there you go! Jump on in and raid the flowerbed! What heritage (strain) is behind these birds of your neighbors?
Best,
Karen

 

[Arielle]

Edited for over abundance of caution...

Quote:

 

[Arielle]

Some interesting old-time chicken trivia:
In an article in the January 2014 issue of UK's "Fancy Fowl" magazine, Andy Cawthray (reknowned breeder/exhibitor) is talking about the Fancy keepers being the ones keeping breeds around for needs later down the road; one section speaks to the Fancy helping rebuild poultry numbers after each world war, and then he adds this:
"This was no more better defined than in the late 1940's when a collaboration between farmers, breeders, and suppliers, backed by cash prizes from A&P Food Stores, launched "The Chicken Of Tomorrow Contest" across the United States. The concept behind the contest was to challenge the huge numbers of chicken breeding talent to "create" the ultimate breed of meat chicken; that is the one that provided the most meat in the shortest time and for the lowest feed cost. It was at this point poultry shifted once more in history and a steep change from "farm chicken" to "chicken farming" took place."

So we can blame A&P for the decline of our treasured heritage breeds!

For those interested, the December issue of this same magazine has a very good article on the Rhode Island Red, as well as an interview with Will Burdett, MBE - best known by most as the man who worked with and exhibited the Queen Mother's outstanding Buff Orpingtons, and who at one time also was the top exhibitor of Light Sussex. Great to read an interview with him, we won't have these knowledgeable folks around to teach us much longer! His book "The Orpington Fowl" is a great read, BTW.

Enjoy your weekend and stay warm, everybody!!
Doc

Chicken has now surpassed beef in pounds consumed by the US-- looks like this is a great opportunity to return heritage birds to the table for those interested in raising their own properly fed meat birds.

Quote:

I keep several Belgian bearded Miller fleur d'Uccles specifically to use as live incubatos. Those silly things spend most of their lives broody plus they make good mommas.

Bob blosl talked about Mr SIlkie fathering a generation of broodies.

 

[gjensen]

I was just joking...and alluding to my recent near-terminal case of 'hoof in mouth'.

I was not being serious either. Just making light of the topic.

I was picking on the crowd that I always hear about how well their "roo" behaves or not.

 

[tnspursfan09]

See now, there you go! Jump on in and raid the flowerbed! What heritage (strain) is behind these birds of your neighbors?
 Best,
 Karen

I've never been to his farm, DH found him for me. I rarely go outside my property (closet agoraphobe). DH says he had about 10 different breeds in lots of runs - Orpingtons, Araucanas LF and bantam and a few others. I'm not sure because DH prolly talked more than he listened...I love him, but he's a dork. I love the little bantam he gave us, but I want eggs, meat and a breed docile enough for Maddy (my avatar) to safely help with. She's 4 and learning her food comes from before it gets to the grocery store - and that it take work to grow your own. We have even processed a rooster, a buff orpingtom that was intent on killing his hatchmate. She names the chickens and called the dinner we made from said rooster "Max noodle soup." His brother is Prince Eric.

Prince Eric