Sulmtalers Thread

[DCchicken]

I'm pretty certain there aren't any bantam Sulmtalers that have been brought into this country. Based on that negative thought, is anyone working on them?

I am curious as to what the market would be for bantam Sulmtalers since many people raise them as meat birds just like Bresse. Would it be for a the egg laying or just as pets? When clients ask for Bresse, they are always looking for the largest birds. I have not gotten any Sulmtalers yet but I assume it would be the same market?

 

[Arielle]

Quote: THe interest in bantams is HUGE!!

WHen I was looking to add chickens to my farm, I did not even consider bantams. I still don't.
However, I was shocked to see the number of bantams out numbering the LF by 4 to1 at some big shows. IMO after 2 years of chicken living, I see bantams as a fun toy. I don't see them as farm flocks for meat or eggs. From a few people at other shows this year, the input is that the number of LF entered is growing. I'm thrilled to see this. THe farm flocks of the past were not bantams . . . .



Just my 2 cents.

 

[DCchicken]

THe interest in bantams is HUGE!!

WHen I was looking to add chickens to my farm, I did not even consider bantams. I still don't.
However, I was shocked to see the number of bantams out numbering the LF by 4 to1 at some big shows. IMO after 2 years of chicken living, I see bantams as a fun toy. I don't see them as farm flocks for meat or eggs. From a few people at other shows this year, the input is that the number of LF entered is growing. I'm thrilled to see this. THe farm flocks of the past were not bantams . . . .



Just my 2 cents.

Yes I understand people wanting bantams for show or pets of many breeds, but how does that apply to Sulmtalers? I still think that someone looking for an alternative to Cornish X is going to look at birds like Bresse, Sulmtalers, Dorkings, etc. as a meat bird first, second as a layer, and third as a pet. Maybe I am wrong but I have never had someone come to purchase the smallest Bresse I have in the flock. I assume once I have Sulmtalers, that the same would be true for that breed. Am I wrong on this?

 

[Arielle]

Quote:

IMO just getting enough breeders together to support a base of LF sulms is enough of a struggle without adding the making of bantams. Many other chickens that are dual purpose are bantams( RIR), but I am not interested in bantams at all, as I mentioned above. I don't think you are wrong. For the effort of dressing a bird, bigger is bettter.Less handling per pound of meat. If someone wanted a moderate sized meat bird, then a buckeye would be worth considering. One other to add is a good chantecler.

THe midget white and beltsville turkeys were developed because some folks thought there would be a market for a smaller turkey. It seems like NOW is the time of popularity for those breeds because more back yard foks are raising them for home use and may have onlya few family members to feed. A small turkey is on par with a BIG chicken . . . IDK, maybe the bantam would be popular for the same reason people raise tiny quail??

 

[gootziecat]

I didn't mean to open a can of worms. People want bantams for different reasons. Personally, I find them more suitable than LF but we all have different agendas. Considering the Sulmtaler is still rare, it probably isn't in the best interest of the breed to diversify yet. I was just curious if anyone was giving a bantam some thought. Evidently not.

 

[DCchicken]

I didn't mean to open a can of worms. People want bantams for different reasons. Personally, I find them more suitable than LF but we all have different agendas. Considering the Sulmtaler is still rare, it probably isn't in the best interest of the breed to diversify yet. I was just curious if anyone was giving a bantam some thought. Evidently not.

No worries. It is a friendly discussion here. Discussions are always a good thing because they promote a community. I do think it is confusing to first time chicken people (my primary customers) that there are different sizes of some breeds.

 

[bayocum]

We've placed some of our sulmtaler eggs in the hovabator today...we'll see how things shape up. Looking forward to a great spring!

 

[Bama1]

Congrats Bayocum. I've got eggs in the incubator also! We will be hatching every week this month! They will be POL by spring. So glad we have mild winters here and I can have chicks do so well this time of year.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: Sorry gootziecat-- I apparently wasn't as thoughtful as I thought . . . .. how would you go about making these into bantam?? Would you select the smallest correct type generation after generation??? THis is how I would approach it. Keeps them pure SUlms. I know many if all bamtams are usually mixed with another breed to make them small.

 

[Arielle]

We've placed some of our sulmtaler eggs in the hovabator today...we'll see how things shape up. Looking forward to a great spring!

Congrats Bayocum. I've got eggs in the incubator also! We will be hatching every week this month! They will be POL by spring. So glad we have mild winters here and I can have chicks do so well this time of year.