Old and Rare Breeds

[hallerlake]

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What about Appenzeller Spitzhauben hens?

 

[Chicken.Lytle]

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This is absolute genius!

 

[Yellow House Farm]

Saladin, jump on the farming thread and read the most recent discussion. What are your ideas on the matter?

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

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Are you seeing physical symptoms of inbreeding? If not, gather the best eggs from as many sources as possible and don't worry too much. Alternatively, pick eggs from a line that you like and continue working within that strain so as not to stir the pot too much. (Outcrossing to other lines can be such a mixed bag.)

Breed the best to the best, and cull hard. Focus more on good matches than pedigree.

That's my breeding philosophy, anyway. It's been applied to several species other than chickens and never done me wrong. I would love to hear why it might be different with chickens.

 

[hallerlake]

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Are you seeing physical symptoms of inbreeding? If not, gather the best eggs from as many sources as possible and don't worry too much. Alternatively, pick eggs from a line that you like and continue working within that strain so as not to stir the pot too much. (Outcrossing to other lines can be such a mixed bag.)

Breed the best to the best, and cull hard. Focus more on good matches than pedigree.

That's my breeding philosophy, anyway. It's been applied to several species other than chickens and never done me wrong. I would love to hear why it might be different with chickens.

They haven't even hatched yet. I'm thinking ahead.

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

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Are you seeing physical symptoms of inbreeding? If not, gather the best eggs from as many sources as possible and don't worry too much. Alternatively, pick eggs from a line that you like and continue working within that strain so as not to stir the pot too much. (Outcrossing to other lines can be such a mixed bag.)

Breed the best to the best, and cull hard. Focus more on good matches than pedigree.

That's my breeding philosophy, anyway. It's been applied to several species other than chickens and never done me wrong. I would love to hear why it might be different with chickens.

They haven't even hatched yet. I'm thinking ahead.

Gotcha. Well, in that case I go back to the "don't worry too much" train of thought.

Though all the Brabanters in the states seem to trace back to Ideal, even just a couple of generations out from there you would have enough genetic diversity between various flocks that I seriously doubt you will run into issues unless common flaws (cross beak, crooked toes, or what have you,) have been allowed to perpetuate themselves.

This is a breed I love dearly and hope to have as well someday. The fact that all flocks seem to trace back to a single original concerns me less than the fact that that origin is a hatchery...but I've seen what hard culling from large hatches can do and I think if you have the time and space you will do well, even if you started yourself with birds from Ideal.

 

[Yellow House Farm]

Hi Saladin! Could you check out the Farming thread. I posted some stuff on games, but promised I'd seek you out to get some real commentary

 

[Cuban Longtails]

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All three of those breeds can be obtained from folks who maintain exhibition flocks. Said birds are typically large and bred to the standard. They would help you get your size and type back in the Brabanters.

 

[Cuban Longtails]

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You might try sending him a pm or an email. Sometime his schedule doesn't allow him to check the forum daily.

 

[hallerlake]

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All three of those breeds can be obtained from folks who maintain exhibition flocks. Said birds are typically large and bred to the standard. They would help you get your size and type back in the Brabanters.

Thank you.