Poultry Breeds of Spanish Ancestry

[southernmomma]

They still average 6 pounds or a little more to the best of my knowledge . My boy is over. 7 I'd estimate. My crele are over 5 . If you don't mind me asking where did you get your info

HHmm....I guess I'd generalized in my mind. Penedesencausa.com lists the blacks as 4.4-6.6lbs.

M

 

[Hangtown Farms]

HHmm....I guess I'd generalized in my mind.  Penedesencausa.com lists the blacks as 4.4-6.6lbs.

M

Yes hens are. 4 1/2 to5 males 6 to 6 1/2 but are broader breasted than the others. I got the standard for the website straight from Dr Francesch

 

[Lacy Blues]

I weigh my birds and do not guess. They will fool you.

My largest males is now at 8lbs. That is where they should be. It just took him too long to get there. I am guessing that the two cockerels that I kept from last year will end up around 7 . Maybe just a little over. My two hens are at 6 lbs. Same thing, it took to long to get there.

I have a couple pullets that are at their weight now, and have a ways before they hit the one year mark. I have another pullet that is there and is near the one year mark. The rest will probably be just a little under. One a little too much, but she has the best color.

I suspect that part of the reason that it is taking so long to get where they should be is that they are too closely bred. I am outcrossing to very distantly related birds. Same strain, but separated by almost a decade. Each line had an infusion at a point, so they should genetically be different enough to invigorate each side. I will breed back to each side to make two families.
I am hoping that by doing this I will see better growth rates. A lot of what makes a bird a good dual purpose bird is not the size they reach ultimately, but that they flesh out at an early age. It also is not just that they mature early, but how and when they lay the flesh on. This will be a point of emphasis after this generation. I need to get going in the right direction first.

Regardless, some vigor will make a big difference. Especially that both sides are closely bred. I am excited to see where this goes.

I have started a grading project on the side. Who knows how successful I will be in the long run with this project. If successful I will be able to further strengthen what I have.

It is my goal to have a genetically viable flock that represents the breed well. Hopefully a few more people will pick them up along the way when they see their potential. I think with these rare breeds, it is not just seeing what they are, but also seeing what they could be.

I'd keep her, not only for her color but because its difficult to keep the weight up, particularly when they're closely bred.

 

[Hangtown Farms]

 I weigh my birds and do not guess. They will fool you.

 My largest males is now at 8lbs. That is where they should be. It just took him too long to get there. I am guessing that the two cockerels that I kept from last year will end up around 7 . Maybe just a little over. My two hens are at 6 lbs. Same thing, it took to long to get there.

 I have a couple pullets that are at their weight now, and have a ways before they hit the one year mark. I have another pullet that is there and is near the one year mark. The rest will probably be just a little under. One a little too much, but she has the best color.

 I suspect that part of the reason that it is taking so long to get where they should be is that they are too closely bred. I am outcrossing to very distantly related birds. Same strain, but separated by almost a decade. Each line had an infusion at a point, so they should genetically be different enough to invigorate each side. I will breed back to each side to make two families.
 I am hoping that by doing this I will see better growth rates. A lot of what makes a bird a good dual purpose bird is not the size they reach ultimately, but that they flesh out at an early age. It also is not just that they mature early, but how and when they lay the flesh on. This will be a point of emphasis after this generation. I need to get going in the right direction first.

 Regardless, some vigor will make a big difference. Especially that both sides are closely bred. I am excited to see where this goes.

 I have started a grading project on the side. Who knows how successful I will be in the long run with this project. If successful I will be able to further strengthen what I have.

 It is my goal to have a genetically viable flock that represents the breed well. Hopefully a few more people will pick them up along the way when they see their potential. I think with these rare breeds, it is not just seeing what they are, but also seeing what they could be.

I haven't gotten around to weigh him since I'm just getting into black but carrying around birds , kids I have a pretty good idea. My black is easily 2 lbs heavier than my other boys. I will get him weighed to see my guessing skills

 

[southernmomma]

Yes hens are. 4 1/2 to5 males 6 to 6 1/2 but are broader breasted than the others. I got the standard for the website straight from Dr Francesch

Oh! I just made the connection! I go down the rabbit hole with some things and don't see the obvious with others, lol.

Okay, so tell me more. As I'm learning my questions and concerns are changing. I'm starting to wonder, if I want to maintain my own flock, about the genetic diversity here in the States. If I choose a single breed and stick with it, it needs to be a long-term viable option with diversity in my original group of birds correct? As for the size--very useful for me.

Thanks,
M

 

[Hangtown Farms]

Oh! I just made the connection! I go down the rabbit hole with some things and don't see the obvious with others, lol.

Okay, so tell me more. As I'm learning my questions and concerns are changing. I'm starting to wonder, if I want to maintain my own flock, about the genetic diversity here in the States. If I choose a single breed and stick with it, it needs to be a long-term viable option with diversity in my original group of birds correct? As for the size--very useful for me.

Thanks,
M

I think Black Penedesenca would be a good option.
They are not mean but are super alert.
They have good size for a smaller bird. They are very heat hardy as well.
The blacks will give you the best bet at diversity since they where imported 3 times and there are a few really good breeders with them
that have been working with them awhile
@ChickenCanoe has nice ones . Lee Penny and Dirty Ankle Acres all have nice birds. there are more but they can get you a good start.
My Boy looks more like the birds I have seen from Canada with stockier build and less White on the Ear lobes.
he has a great great great comb. Best I have had.
My hens look ok. I have sent eggs to Joshua at Dirty ankle Acres of my crele and am hoping to get black back to add

Here is what I have,
just starting with the blacks

 

[Hangtown Farms]

I think Black Penedesenca would be a good option.
They are not mean but are super alert.
They have good size for a smaller bird. They are very heat hardy as well.
The blacks will give you the best bet at diversity since they where imported 3 times and there are a few really good breeders with them
that have been working with them awhile
@ChickenCanoe has nice ones . Lee Penny and Dirty Ankle Acres all have nice birds. there are more but they can get you a good start.
My Boy looks more like the birds I have seen from Canada with stockier build and less White on the Ear lobes.
he has a great great great comb. Best I have had.
My hens look ok. I have sent eggs to Joshua at Dirty ankle Acres of my crele and am hoping to get black back to add

Here is what I have,
just starting with the blacks

in the picture with the youngsters you can see how much larger he is than the White Empordanesa that are within a few days of him.
Ron has his sister and I had a picture somewhere but can not find it. so I know the white earlobes are there somewhere

 

[gjensen]

I haven't gotten around to weigh him since I'm just getting into black but carrying around birds , kids I have a pretty good idea. My black is easily 2 lbs heavier than my other boys. I will get him weighed to see my guessing skills

LOL. I have toted a few of those around myself. I told my wide that I would like another one, and she laughed at me. I would have to.

My guessing comment was only an assurance of my confidence in the weight of my birds. I did not intend to make a connection. I was trying to establish why I am not calling my birds "good" dual purpose birds yet.

 

[gjensen]

I'd keep her, not only for her color but because its difficult to keep the weight up, particularly when they're closely bred.

I was saying that she was too small. I kept her because her color was the best of the pullets.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: Love them!