Starting to Evaluate Breeders for Spring

[Egghead_Jr]

It's not easy 3KillerBs, birds are always a work in progress. It is invaluable to start with the best stock you can but I've yet to get stock that didn't have serious problems in multiple regards.

With attention to weights and width and one year of heavy use of an axe you'll see progress. We get to have more selection on the cocks because it only takes one to start the next season. Be brutal with your cockerel selections. Baring any glaring defects the weight and width in cockerels trumps everything in the first years. The hens can maintain your lacing and leg color. Don't expect progress in those areas as the body is the most important thing to fix first. As Fred's Hens always said- Build the barn then paint it.

 

[3KillerBs]

It's not easy 3KillerBs, birds are always a work in progress. It is invaluable to start with the best stock you can but I've yet to get stock that didn't have serious problems in multiple regards.

With attention to weights and width and one year of heavy use of an axe you'll see progress. We get to have more selection on the cocks because it only takes one to start the next season. Be brutal with your cockerel selections. Baring any glaring defects the weight and width in cockerels trumps everything in the first years. The hens can maintain your lacing and leg color. Don't expect progress in those areas as the body is the most important thing to fix first. As Fred's Hens always said- Build the barn then paint it.

This blurry photo is probably the best "upskirt" shot I've got of my rooster from when he was about 11 months.

And this is my best top-down shot:

He's got a massive chest, but now that you've educated me I can see that he's deficient in the tail end.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

He's what you got so hatch a ton of chicks and cull almost as many as they grow. It would take a few years but you can certainly get there.

To speed things up you can keep an eye out for breeders in NC or any poultry shows. The beauty of Ausralorp is they are usually black. Solid color is easier to improve and maintain. I bet it wouldn't be that much trouble finding a very good black cock with bright safety yellow legs and wide body with good body type in profile right in your state. If you do find one just put him over two or three of your best blue hens. That would improve a lot but then some added attention to lacing might result. It's always something and you've got to pick your battles each year.

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

Ugh you're not wrong. Just googling for show quality or champion blue astralorps is not giving me any good pictures of something labeled as such.

Forget the color, build the house before you paint it. Look at pictures of champion black Australorps as this variety is much more popular and has many great examples. The Australorp is supposed to be a large, heavier breed—Remember the AustralORPS were developed from Orpingtons! You need to be selecting first and foremost for body size and type from these birds.

Here is a Champion Row Australorp:

A Show Winning Australorp pullet:

Maybe look up this guy:

 

[3KillerBs]

I bet it wouldn't be that much trouble finding a very good black cock with bright safety yellow legs and wide body with good body type in profile right in your state.

Not yellow legs in an Australorp, but I was planning on looking for some new blood next year since I'll already be breeding Rameses to his granddaughters this spring.

Here is a Champion Row Australorp:

Thank you for the photos. It's hard to find photos of high quality birds.

I wouldn't wish to lose the blues, that's what I fell for, but I understand what you're saying about type over color.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I was suggesting you keep the blues. If bringing in new blood to get a Black Cock to put over the hens. The type and size of non blue variety should be superior. And I forget about the white skinned birds. Slate legs are a no no with American breeds.

 

[3KillerBs]

I was suggesting you keep the blues. If bringing in new blood to get a Black Cock to put over the hens. The type and size of non blue variety should be superior. And I forget about the white skinned birds. Slate legs are a no no with American breeds.

Ah. I understand.

 

[NagemTX]

Why are slate legs a no no for american breeds?

 

[SourRoses]

Why are slate legs a no no for american breeds?

My question too!


This thread is very interesting! I'm wishing for a thread specifically about all the body traits that should be selected for in any breed. Or in any LF breed.

 

[CrspyChkn]

Blue Jersey Giants have slate legs, and they are an American breed.
Why are slate legs a no no in American breeds? Is it for cultural reasons?
This is a very interesting thread.