Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[ronott1]

I know someone that does the same. Just ignores them, LOL.

I hope that I do not get a broody soon. I will because I said that. I will have an awful lot of young birds by the end of the week.

I did this with a couple of Broodies last fall. They did stop after a while. I will probably do the same thing this year.

I need to remove the golf balls too.

 

[Beekissed]

What do you guys think of this 11 mo. old cockerel? Don't mind the blood, he got into a scuffle and got his comb and wattles bitten a little... See if you can guess his origin.

 

[BGMatt]

What do you guys think of this 11 mo. old cockerel? Don't mind the blood, he got into a scuffle and got his comb and wattles bitten a little... See if you can guess his origin.

His wing carriage is a little low, and he's folded them weird but that could be from the scuffle. His back line looks good, nicely rounded breast for a cockerel. Seems fairly balanced. Would like to see some head on shots and a top down, can't really comment on width, the one view from the back makes me wonder if he carries width all the way through. I do like his comb size, not overdone. Decent bird all things considered. I don't know Rock lines at all so can't begin to guess at where he came from. Edit: looking further, his entire head piece is really nice actually. I like this bird. Edit 2: regarding comment about width after I zoomed in I see the abnormality I thought I was seeing was the wing "shoulders".

 

[Beekissed]

You are correct about the scuffle...and I think his wings are a little low due to extreme exhaustion. This bird was shipped overnight express mail and was sliding his plumage all over the sides of a cardboard crate, then rode in the back of a pickup for 20 mi., hopped off the truck and wreaked havoc on the local boy where they battled it out for a good half hour before I broke it up and called corners so he could finally concentrate on water and food. He had been through quite an ordeal since leaving his home, even losing some feathers in the fight, so he's at his worst in these pics. I'll post more pics when he's cleaned up and properly groomed some days from now.

He's simply magnificent! He's a kindness and an incredible gesture of amazing charity from Ken Weaver, via Fred's facilitation....all in one week after I had expressed a wish for a good cock to cross over Kathy's WR pullets I have. From my mouth to his ears, now to my back pasture. I'm still stunned and humbled by it all.

 

[gjensen]

I think that he will be a fine addition to your flock Bee.

It sounds like you like him.

I think his wing carriage is low. Kind of a hang up for me, but I like him.

They are never perfect. There is always something to pick out.

He really is a nice bird.

Are you going to hatch a few White Rocks from him? You should.

 

[BGMatt]

You are correct about the scuffle...and I think his wings are a little low due to extreme exhaustion.  This bird was shipped overnight express mail and was sliding his plumage all over the sides of a cardboard crate, then rode in the back of a pickup for 20 mi., hopped off the truck and wreaked havoc on the local boy where they battled it out for a good half hour before I broke it up and called corners so he could finally concentrate on water and food.  He had been through quite an ordeal since leaving his home, even losing some feathers in the fight, so he's at his worst in these pics.  I'll post more pics when he's cleaned up and properly groomed some days from now.

He's simply magnificent!  He's a kindness and an incredible gesture of amazing charity from Ken Weaver, via Fred's facilitation....all in one week after I had expressed a wish for a good cock to cross over Kathy's WR pullets I have.  From my mouth to his ears, now to my back pasture.  I'm still stunned and humbled by it all. 

That's awesome. He looks like a very solid addition to your program! I figured the wing stuff was just because of the scuffle. Love seeing such enthusiasm!

 

[gjensen]

I did this with a couple of Broodies last fall. They did stop after a while. I will probably do the same thing this year.

I need to remove the golf balls too.

This broody stuff is new to me. I am going to play with it for a bit, and let a few go to work and do their thing. Ask me in a couple years from now, and I might tell you that I want no more of it. I let a couple of them raise a little batch last year, and I enjoyed it. I can certainly see it being a management challenge.

 

[BlackPanther]

Last year I purchased one dozen blue Plymouth Rock chicks, and now that they are grown, I am interested in breeding them to Heritage standards.
Currently, I find myself with three hens and three cocks -- they are all a bit off-colored, but they appear to my (uneducated) eye to have good shape.


At the moment, I am collecting eggs from my best cock (with the worst disposition) and my hen with the best disposition; and I noticed that her eggs rather seem to be on the small side.

Future breeding concerns aside -- except of course for anything that would impact them! -- how would I go about breeding to improve egg size?




I am very much a newbie at this Heritage Breeding thing, and I'm hoping you all will be good enough to put me in my place!

 

[gjensen]

I do not know what you mean by the cock bird with "the worst disposition". If you have to watch your back with him, he is not worth messing with.

Improving egg size is best done by egg culling. Once you feel established, set a standard. Do not set any under a certain size. Gradually raising your standard from year to year as you see improvement.

Continue to develop your eye for good type, and learn all that you can about the color. You cannot intelligently do it without a Standard and a scale.

You will notice that your flock has certain tendencies, and see how it is inherited. Some faults you will not be able to tolerate, and some you might get away with using once or twice.

If you can find someone to give you some insight as you move along, it would be helpful. I did not have that, and learned a lot the hard way. Which is expensive.

In a couple generations, you will know what you have, what you need, and what you need to do. Don't get too complicated until you get a feel for them and the process. I did not do that, and complicated it more than it needed to be. I still have that tendency. Enjoy the birds first. It all comes with time.

 

[LindaB220]

I do not know what you mean by the cock bird with "the worst disposition". If you have to watch your back with him, he is not worth messing with.

Improving egg size is best done by egg culling. Once you feel established, set a standard. Do not set any under a certain size. Gradually raising your standard from year to year as you see improvement.

Continue to develop your eye for good type, and learn all that you can about the color. You cannot intelligently do it without a Standard and a scale.

You will notice that your flock has certain tendencies, and see how it is inherited. Some faults you will not be able to tolerate, and some you might get away with using once or twice.

If you can find someone to give you some insight as you move along, it would be helpful. I did not have that, and learned a lot the hard way. Which is expensive.

In a couple generations, you will know what you have, what you need, and what you need to do. Don't get too complicated until you get a feel for them and the process. I did not do that, and complicated it more than it needed to be. I still have that tendency. Enjoy the birds first. It all comes with time.

Very informative. Thanks Linda