***Importing Birds*** info needed, opinions appreciated

[turtleblossom]

My dear husband, who is the kindest, sweetest, most wonderful man around, has decided that we can import some birds this year.

I am looking for some detailed info about the process, and some suggestions from anyone who has actually done it before. I found the USDA website on importing, but it leaves out a ton of info.

For anyone who was following my last thread, this will all be redundant-sorry.

Here are the facts:

1. I plan to import birds LEGALLY.

2. This is in part a business venture,so I want to chose a breed/ color variation that other people want too. I don't plan to become a millionare breeding "the next big thing" in chickens, but it would be nice to break even eventually. Not to mention helping to spread around some uncommon chicken genes or breeds.

3. We are visiting Holland this November for our honeymoon. While it would be great to visit the breeder before we spend several thousand dollars on chickens, it is not entirely necessary. So we are willing to import from wherever the birds are (Australia, Germany, UK, France...you get the point).

4. Breed suggestions. We pasture raise our chickens, so there are some limitations on the amount of care we can/will give. Also, we are partial to dual purpose breeds.
a. No banties (we have many, many hawks)
b. No big floppy combs (sorry Mediterranian group)
c. No feathered feet or big crests (sorry Silky, Polish and Brahma people).

Our short list of breeds/color varieties includs the following:

Barnevelder (for show, not eggs-double laced, blue double laced, silver double laced)

Lakenvelder (black, blue, any other color?)

Whyandotte (millie fleur, buff laced, whatever is interesting)

Orpington (chocolate, lavender, and anything we don't have in the US)

Sussex (any but speckled)

I would greatly appreciate some suggestions on breed/color.

 

[Randy]

Looks like you've made some good choices. I would definately be interested in some silver barnevelders.

 

[flyingmonkeypoop]

I am not sure if there is such a thing but what about columbian orpingtons?

 

[turtleblossom]

Columbian Orps...very interesting.

I also forgot to mention that I can't do any colors that require double mating, such as the silver duckwing color (double mating is where you have one line bred for females, and another line bred for males).

 

[Vcomb]

something you may want to consider - whatever breed/variety you choose pick something that can be outcrossed easily once here in the states. if you pick a color that is too far off the beaten path then whatever stock you sell will be related and you'll end up with a tiny gene pool here in the states. if you have to outcross then backbreed 2-4 generations then you end up loosing most of the genes you gained by the initial outcross.

that being said, I think you'd have lots of customers lining up for Tollbunt Wyandottes - those you can outcross to partridge

 

[herechickchick]

I would narrow it down to Barnevelders, Orpingtons and Sussex.

In the Barnevelders, well in a perfect world I would get a trio of all 3 colors you have listed but if I had to choose one I would get a double laced Roo with 1 double laced hen and at least 1 blue double laced hen, provided we are talking BBS here?

In the Orpingtons I would get the Golden Laced, HANDS DOWN!

In the Sussex I like the Light Sussex best.

Good Luck

I personally would get the Golden Laced Orpingtons.

 

[Krys109uk]

that being said, I think you'd have lots of customers lining up for Tollbunt Wyandottes - those you can outcross to partridge

I don't think they've been finished as yet. Easiest cross probably to gold laced wyandotte.​

 

[herechickchick]

Quote:
There is and they are beautiful!

 

[Katy]

I'd vote for wyandottes.....or laced orps.

 

[Krys109uk]

I'd vote for wyandottes.....or laced orps.

There are some really beautiful wyandottes & Orps in Netherlands.​