Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[finnfur]

This is geared towards the commercial poultry industry. Germany for example has decided that the hatch and subsequent murder of male egg layer chicks has to stop- I think either this year or next- so alternative technologies are being developed.

Yes - gathered that - I was just being my usual odd humorous self.
I guess that will cut the dog food supply down ? There I go again.
Don't think its going to help us little people backyarders though ?
Will put the chick sexing crew out of a job too.

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

Yes - gathered that - I was just being my usual odd humorous self.
I guess that will cut the dog food supply down ? There I go again.
Don't think its going to help us little people backyarders though ?
Will put the chick sexing crew out of a job too.

Maybe if everyone on BYC got together we could pool our money and buy one and share

As far as dog food, I'm lucky, I can get chicken from the spent breeders they use for the Chinese market. 8 lb Humongous things. I have to chop them up and stuff them into my meat grinder. I pay 2 bucks a pound.

 

[finnfur]

Maybe if everyone on BYC got together we could pool our money and buy one and share

As far as dog food, I'm lucky, I can get chicken from the spent breeders they use for the Chinese market. 8 lb Humongous things. I have to chop them up and stuff them into my meat grinder. I pay 2 bucks a pound.

 

[3riverschick]

Is the interpretation that we will be able to someday buy a little "odor meter" to determine;
1. Is it fertile ?
2. What sex it is ?
Wonder what that gadget will cost ? But it would be great so I don't need to candle anymore- but I like the surprise of the hatch gender.

Well that's an interesting idea. The article does say this is the first ever study on this. Make a lot more sense than other complicated ways the big hatcheries are touting.
Best,
Karen

 

[3riverschick]

Hi,
So what's going on with everyone?
Best,
Karen

 

[MagicChicken]

This evening I was separating pullets from cockerels, noting weights and physical features in the process. One cockerel had a back so roached it felt like he had half a tennis ball stuck on his spine. Yikes! The gentle curves I had considered roached backs in the past were nothing compared to this. I don't normally name my chickens but this guy will be known as Igor. Until his demise. Which is imminent. He and his wry-tailed cohort are at the top of the cull list. Structural issues sure make early culling decisions a lot easier. Looks like we're having chicken for dinner this weekend. Yum!

 

[Wisher1000]

You hate to see faults like that in your line, but for me, it is also hard to cull nice birds just because you don't need them all. Of course of the two problems, the second is Better.

 

[finnfur]

You hate to see faults like that in your line, but for me, it is also hard to cull nice birds just because you don't need them all. Of course of the two problems, the second is Better.

I second that notion - it would be great to be culling all show stoppers

 

[Wisher1000]

Now....... I didn't say that! Ha! Ha! Ha! I got down to about 14 cockerels and they were all about the same, no show stoppers in the bunch. I still hated to send any of them off to learn to speak Spanish. I ended up taking most of them to a show and sold all but a few. I could have sold all, if I had been able to spare enough hens to pair with them.

 

[Beekissed]

Here's lookin' at you, Mr. Weaver.... son of the one you sent me.