not all birds are created equal

[redhen]

I have no problem with back yard quality..that's all I have in my back yard..
But again..I'm not the one that started this thread and all that it implies about RESPONSIBLE breeding.
Its just confusing to see you start this thread..and then in the next breath say its okay to still sell lower quality breed examples...that's all.

And I'll move on now as my questions have been answered. Thanks!

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

well if it werent for those lower quality birds your backyard would be empty................where do you think they come from?

local people who buy from us dont want to order large numbers from a hatchery they want 2,3, 4 hens and well our culls serve them well for egg layers.

we butcher extra roosters they feed our dogs very well. However hens who lay a perfectly good egg for eating who can serve a family as a pet/egg provider there is no reason to sell her as such. The same for the ducks, drakes see the freezer ducks are offered locally as pet/egg layers. If they dont sell quickly they too find the butcher block.

 

[Going Bhonkers]

I was wondering, when does culling start? As soon as their hatched, or do you wait for the bird to reach adult age? Or is it an ongoing process until they reach adulthood?

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

I was wondering, when does culling start? As soon as their hatched, or do you wait for the bird to reach adult age? Or is it an ongoing process until they reach adulthood?

on going for us............... if they hatch twisted and deformed they are culled then, there is no place here for birds like that.
----------------------------------- later after growing out if they arent meeting other land marks in growing or developing. Sometimes being culled because we have a large hatch and sell off hatchlings since you can not keep and grow out everything.

We have a gander from the sebbies ( i mentioned him before) who isnt sell able on any level, he is naughty, wrong neck, ect ect... he will butcher well though

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

and we have been bad mouthed for saying we cull hatchlings with deformities.....one went as far as saying "you wouldnt kill a child with deformities" you are right, but these are livestock not children.

 

[pbjmaker]

I was never trying to pick a fight - just trying to clarify a thread that has gotten very muddy. I never said small farms were less knowledgable about breeds/breed quality.

I think many people were feeling that their method of breeding was being attacked (backyard breeders) and there is nothing wrong with people breeding for birds that are not a specific breed but fit a specific need.

The world is full of people who lack integrity and always will be and when threads like this come up, many feel their integrity is being attacked. Many of the people who you feel are attacking you are good stewards of the land, animals and sometimes even people. You can not start a thread like this without some debate or argument with those who see things a different way. The best thing to do is ask them to explain why they feel that way. Which is what I was trying to do.

The same people who line up to buy Hollderod culls will say " I have babies to sell from Hollderod birds" It is a name that is thrown around freely. Yes not everyone will do that - but many will.

You are selling your culls to fill a niche. Many sell their backyard birds for the same reason. I find it horribly wrong when they sell to unsuspecting kids for showing. It does happen. But as adults we can inform ourselves first. Knowledge is power.

I also agree with you that you cannot judge young chicks as show quality.

Sometimes things that are said over the internet are taken completely wrong because there is no body language or tone of voice to read - just un-emotional words. We tend then to put our own emotions into them, that may be completely different from the OP's intent.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

I was never trying to pick a fight - just trying to clarify a thread that has gotten very muddy. I never said small farms were less knowledgable about breeds/breed quality.

I think many people were feeling that their method of breeding was being attacked (backyard breeders) and there is nothing wrong with people breeding for birds that are not a specific breed but fit a specific need.

The world is full of people who lack integrity and always will be and when threads like this come up, many feel their integrity is being attacked. Many of the people who you feel are attacking you are good stewards of the land, animals and sometimes even people. You can not start a thread like this without some debate or argument with those who see things a different way. The best thing to do is ask them to explain why they feel that way. Which is what I was trying to do.

The same people who line up to buy Hollderod culls will say " I have babies to sell from Hollderod birds" It is a name that is thrown around freely. Yes not everyone will do that - but many will.

You are selling your culls to fill a niche. Many sell their backyard birds for the same reason. I find it horribly wrong when they sell to unsuspecting kids for showing. It does happen. But as adults we can inform ourselves first. Knowledge is power.

I also agree with you that you cannot judge young chicks as show quality.

Sometimes things that are said over the internet are taken completely wrong because there is no body language or tone of voice to read - just un-emotional words. We tend then to put our own emotions into them, that may be completely different from the OP's intent.

All very true..

we have BC Marans .thats a breed that has "names" thrown around far too much. They are our sons project he has "nice" birds

and yes with no body language things can be taken wrongly on all sides in a chat thread. I do try to explain what I am thinking, and will re-type if it is not being taken how it was meant.

integrity is something that was long forgotten by many, we were recently bad mouthed for cutting a number of dewlap geese from our flock. being told we were not compassionate, unreasonable, and as bad a person as an animal hoarder. Fact is 6 of them show no signs of being worth breeding. they WILL make excellent pets and grass mowers though. So just because we are culling them doesnt mean we dont love them and dont want them to be placed into a good pet home.

oh and we were told we were awful people for this being our business. Sorry yes we are a business, we wont be millionares ever no, but yes we treat this as a business not a newly acquired hobby we think is fun to chat about.

 

[redhen]

" You are selling your culls to fill a niche. Many sell their backyard birds for the same reason."

Again..very nicely put PBJmaker.. those were my exact thoughts. But you just explained what I was trying so hard to politely to say..

 

[SD Bird Lady]

I am just curious if finding the standard is possible without actually purchasing the book from the APA? They are not available at my local library but i haven't looked into the state library yet. I am only curious because I have a few Cayuga Ducks (also some chickens) that are just for my enjoyment but I also want to know what to look for so that I dont in the long run end up with a bunch of dull yellow billed birds....I know it doesn't state how to get to the standard but I can get that advice from others. However; I need to have a goal to work towards. I guess my long term goal is that my kids will have family raised birds if they ever decide to show in 4-H.....I don't agree with waiting until 2 weeks before achievement days and going to a breeder to grab 3 or 4 birds or purchasing some club calves but that is my personal take on it so wish us luck

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

what seems polite to one when posting, may not come across that way with just written words and no body language behind it. Often the smilies on here dont help either in getting the meaning across, and can at time make it worse when someone thinks a smile or wink or laugh is coming with an insulting statement.