Russian Orloffs

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

Hmm, I wonder why it is that hatchery birds of both the Delawares and the Orloffs tend to have pale legs as opposed to yellow. Is it just because they haven't been selecting for it, or is it due to crossing other breeds into the stock?

Other than the pale legs, how is the Sandhill stock otherwise? Any redeeming qualities at all?

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

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None that I could find...they are WAY too much white (shouldn't have more than 1/2" of white any where on the body) and no positive white wing or tail feathers (more than 1/2" of white, again). They're fine for pets but none are usable in my breeding program.

 

[shelleyb1969]

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All breeds, regardless of where they come from, require heavy culling year after year. Keep the best, cull the rest.

Hatcheries just don't do this. I'm sorry in advance if I offend anyone...but it's my belief that it's completely impossible to produce perfect offspring year after year. Even if the parent stock is in all ways perfect in standard, they'll produce as many not-so-good chicks as they will good ones. That's just how it works IMO.

I just received my first order of Sand Hill birds of a few breeds...and they're all for sale. Big mistake on my part. I'm very disappointed with the quality of their chicks. And you know it must be bad if I'm culling at 2 weeks of age.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Quote:
All breeds, regardless of where they come from, require heavy culling year after year. Keep the best, cull the rest.

Hatcheries just don't do this. I'm sorry in advance if I offend anyone...but it's my belief that it's completely impossible to produce perfect offspring year after year. Even if the parent stock is in all ways perfect in standard, they'll produce as many not-so-good chicks as they will good ones. That's just how it works IMO.

I just received my first order of Sand Hill birds of a few breeds...and they're all for sale. Big mistake on my part. I'm very disappointed with the quality of their chicks. And you know it must be bad if I'm culling at 2 weeks of age.

Yeah...I spent $147.50 on garbage. Ironically, the birds I got from Ideal were better but still not worth keeping. I was able to sell all of the others for $10 each but I still have a pair (the nicest hold backs) for sale. If they don't sell, I'll just keep them until they do....

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

I also ordered Creves from them...also pretty much garbage....crossed beaks, white feathers, knock-kneed, wry tails....

INBRED, I believe. Again, a total waste of money.

 

[shelleyb1969]

I ordered from Sand Hill just to add a little variety/new blood into some of my breeding flocks. I really thought/hoped that they would have better stock than the common hatcheries. Boy was I wrong...way wrong.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

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Yes, I've been thinking of writing them a letter to express my disgust. They claim to be a "Preservation Center" but preserving to me means keeping something the way it is or it's supposed to be...off topic, I know...

 

[shelleyb1969]

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You and I could fill up a whole new thread about them, I'm sure.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

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You and I could fill up a whole new thread about them, I'm sure.

LOL Can you tell I'm a little bitter?

 

[shelleyb1969]

Not really.