Hi all, from Fuquay varina NC

[TwoCrows]

Quote: In the end, quality is everything. Average hatchery chicks can have all kinds of genetic defects, health issues, other bad attributes. Especially if you are interested in showing your birds. Judges look for the highest quality. And if you are into a breeding program, definitely start with quality birds so you aren't passing bad genes on down to the off spring.

Good luck with your adventure!

 

[hildar]

In the end, quality is everything. Average hatchery chicks can have all kinds of genetic defects, health issues, other bad attributes. Especially if you are interested in showing your birds. Judges look for the highest quality. And if you are into a breeding program, definitely start with quality birds so you aren't passing bad genes on down to the off spring.

Good luck with your adventure!

We have our own breeding stock, that we have picked for quality, so when I do get something new I prefer to check out the parents. When I just go ahead and order something online, or through a catalog or even get it at tractor supply its only good for the eating eggs. However occasionally I will get 1 good one out of 50 babies that seems to look good, later on its testing it's personality, if that's no good then its only good for the eggs for eating, that it lays or for the meat we can get out of it. I think some times I am far to strict. However being strict has got me where I am now. With 12 total Blue ribbons from the state fair for our roosters. If I don't start looking harder I will loose my reputation for having the best quality birds.

 

[TwoCrows]

Quote: Wow, congrats on the 12 blue ribbons! It is not about quantity, but quality. So there is nothing wrong with being strict with criteria. That is probably standard for the norm, about 1 in 50 babies getting the grade. I used to breed Bobwhites as well. And I was lucky to find a few good offspring each year that I was willing to use as breeder birds to continue my stock. It takes a long time and work to produce good birds. Lots of contenders, but only a few can be the best. Well worth the effort in the end.

Good luck with your birds and don't let your reputation slide!

 

[hildar]

Wow, congrats on the 12 blue ribbons! It is not about quantity, but quality. So there is nothing wrong with being strict with criteria. That is probably standard for the norm, about 1 in 50 babies getting the grade. I used to breed Bobwhites as well. And I was lucky to find a few good offspring each year that I was willing to use as breeder birds to continue my stock. It takes a long time and work to produce good birds. Lots of contenders, but only a few can be the best. Well worth the effort in the end.

Good luck with your birds and don't let your reputation slide!

I am trying not to let it slide, but when I start looking and newer breeds I wonder every time if it's worth getting into. However it still is fun even when I get mostly ones that are not good for breeding or showing. They help me to relax, and I guess if I enjoy it, it's the best thing to do.

However I have found out over the past 20+ years of breeding that even 2 show birds being bred together doesn't always give you show babies. In fact one of my show birds came from a pet hen we had. He has won 5 ribbons so far and is still in his prime. My kids asked me the other day if I would be culling him, and I said heck no, he will die of old age first, and then be buried in a special place.

 

[TwoCrows]

Oh, I agree! You never know where a winner will come from. The mutt outback can produce a quality winner! LOL But you are right, it becomes a fun hobby. That is how my Bobwhite breeding got for me. Just something to toy with and enjoy along the way. That is what it is all about.

Glad you are enjoying it! Take good care of that rooster too.

 

[hildar]

Oh, I agree! You never know where a winner will come from. The mutt outback can produce a quality winner! LOL But you are right, it becomes a fun hobby. That is how my Bobwhite breeding got for me. Just something to toy with and enjoy along the way. That is what it is all about.

Glad you are enjoying it! Take good care of that rooster too.

Oh it is fun and enjoyable. Even my daughter gets into it, and has fun with it. She made me laugh the other day because our tiny little GLW we had named brownie, and the little Mexican rooster is in there with her. So when Brownie laid an egg in comes my daughter and she says 'Mama this is a Mexican brownie" I didn't think I would ever stop laughing.

 

[TwoCrows]

Quote: How adorable is that!! Priceless!

Breeding can be fun. Especially the old fashioned way with a broody. The cuteness over load with Momma and Baby can be too much for a soft heart.

 

[hildar]

How adorable is that!! Priceless!

Breeding can be fun. Especially the old fashioned way with a broody. The cuteness over load with Momma and Baby can be too much for a soft heart.

It's strange because last year I had a massive heart attack the day after my Golden comet eggs came in the mail. I was at the hospital and I knew my incubator was coming the next day. The doctors were talking to me about how I needed a bypass and all I could think about was telling my husband how to put the incubator together and get it turned on and ready to place the eggs in it. When I finally realized that I wanted my own doctor at another hospital to do the operation I got home just in time to put the eggs in the incubator. While I was in surgery I knew my Delaware eggs were coming that day, and I had called my husband just before my surgery and told him to get the eggs from the mail man before coming to the hospital. My babies mean the world to me, and nothing gets in the way of me and my babies. When I finally got out of the hospital. In as much pain as I was in I would turn my eggs daily. It kept me busy, and I would sit with them daily anticipating that moment when the first pip would happen. When it did happen I was as happy as could be until when I saw it wasn't a golden comet instead it was a half naked baby. "Turken" Was all my baby, and the next night the BO was pipping. I wasn't happy that it wasn't my golden comets like Smarty but I was happy to see those sweet babies.

Even a massive heart attack and bypass surgery can not keep me from what I enjoy the most.

 

[TwoCrows]

Quote: I am so sorry you have had all these heart issues and surgeries!!

I hope you are doing well now and are healing nicely. I am no spring chicken myself and worry what would happen to my babies if I were in the hospital! I would be just like you....telling the hubby what to do and more worried about what is going on here than the 3 hour surgery that was to happen in 1 hour!!! What we do for the love of our birds!!!!

Well, they say animals are supposed to be good for our blood pressure and keep us alive longer. When you have to stay alive to keep your babies alive, something kicks in and keeps us going as well.

Take good care of yourself! And your babies of course.

 

[hildar]

I am so sorry you have had all these heart issues and surgeries!!

I hope you are doing well now and are healing nicely. I am no spring chicken myself and worry what would happen to my babies if I were in the hospital! I would be just like you....telling the hubby what to do and more worried about what is going on here than the 3 hour surgery that was to happen in 1 hour!!! What we do for the love of our birds!!!!

Well, they say animals are supposed to be good for our blood pressure and keep us alive longer. When you have to stay alive to keep your babies alive, something kicks in and keeps us going as well.

Take good care of yourself! And your babies of course.

Thanks, I seem to be doing much better now. Or at least I sure do hope so the last heart attack when I had my surgery I had no idea there was any issue until it happened. I had, had a heart attack about 7 months earlier and had 2 stints put in. So I figured all was well. We never know when something will happen.

As for blood pressure my chickens keep it down and my dog keeps it high. Danged if I do and danged if I don't.

I however keep myself as healthy as possible lately walking, and playing with my chickens along with eating healthier. And the chickens love me playing with them.