What am I missing if I become a breeder?

[peepblessed]

Quote:
My suggestion, First Join the APA since you seem to be focused on LF, Buy a copy of the current standard of Perfection,
Read teh standard associated to the breeds you are most interested in. Learn the Standard well and read it once a week just to reinforce what you think you understand.
Choose a breed or possibly two that really hold your interest, this is critical because you will not make money breeding, raising and culling to achieve the standard.
Look up the top breeders for the breed and variety you choose, You can find master Breeders, and Showmen listed on the APA site, visit with them about the birds preferably in person at a show, learn some of the breeding, selection, and culling stratagies associated to the breed and variety.
Choose 1 or 2 breeders to aquire the best possible breeder stock (This may be different from a Show Bird) based on teh breed and variety.
Breed each line closed for at least 1 full year raise everything that is worth raising to learn the breeding habits and faults of each line.
Attend several shows to confirm what you are working towards, but do not set the standard asside for the win.
Commit yourself to a long term venture that will only have personal rewards and monetary losses.
Do not aquire too many birds, overcrowding will prevent them from developing correctly.

participate in the NPIP program
Be open and honest with those you deal with and be ready to help the youth once you have things figured out for yourself.

Most importantly have fun with the hobby.

Well said!

 

[chickendales]

im state licensed tester i live in vassar witch in the thumb

 

[patman75]

Where do a get a copy of the current standard of Perfection?

 

[punky rooster]

Quote:
APA's web site. http://www.amerpoultryassn.com/

 

[patman75]

Quote:
APA's web site. http://www.amerpoultryassn.com/

Thanks for helping the newbie out

 

[sjarvis00]

Quote:
My suggestion, First Join the APA since you seem to be focused on LF, Buy a copy of the current standard of Perfection,
Read teh standard associated to the breeds you are most interested in. Learn the Standard well and read it once a week just to reinforce what you think you understand.
Choose a breed or possibly two that really hold your interest, this is critical because you will not make money breeding, raising and culling to achieve the standard.
Look up the top breeders for the breed and variety you choose, You can find master Breeders, and Showmen listed on the APA site, visit with them about the birds preferably in person at a show, learn some of the breeding, selection, and culling stratagies associated to the breed and variety.
Choose 1 or 2 breeders to aquire the best possible breeder stock (This may be different from a Show Bird) based on teh breed and variety.
Breed each line closed for at least 1 full year raise everything that is worth raising to learn the breeding habits and faults of each line.
Attend several shows to confirm what you are working towards, but do not set the standard asside for the win.
Commit yourself to a long term venture that will only have personal rewards and monetary losses.
Do not aquire too many birds, overcrowding will prevent them from developing correctly.

participate in the NPIP program
Be open and honest with those you deal with and be ready to help the youth once you have things figured out for yourself.

Most importantly have fun with the hobby.

Thanks sjarvis00.
I had hardware, equipement, etc on my mind I did not even think about what you listed.

The hardware and equipment requirements are al related to how seriously you take the effort. We have 1 10x12 climate and moisture controled for the Incubators and hatcher. 1 10x16 with a series of 7 brooders all preset to temp and the young birds roll through by week of age. Also a swamp cooler to keep moisture up and fresh air circulated. ti salso includes 6 cages for teh young birds after the 7 brooders so nothing goes outside under 14 weeks of age.
then the grow out pens, etc.

 

[patman75]

The hardware and equipment requirements are al related to how seriously you take the effort. We have 1 10x12 climate and moisture controled for the Incubators and hatcher. 1 10x16 with a series of 7 brooders all preset to temp and the young birds roll through by week of age. Also a swamp cooler to keep moisture up and fresh air circulated. ti salso includes 6 cages for teh young birds after the 7 brooders so nothing goes outside under 14 weeks of age.
then the grow out pens, etc.

Wow, nice setup. Hmmm was thinking much smaller, but with a small operation really get any results?​

 

[chickendales]

Quote:
APA's web site. http://www.amerpoultryassn.com/

Thanks for helping the newbie out

cutler suply has lot good stufff http://www.cutlersupply.com/
also there show in october in birch run http://fowlfest.org/

 

[sjarvis00]

Quote:

Wow, nice setup. Hmmm was thinking much smaller, but with a small operation really get any results?

Smaller operations can be very successful when very focused, you should expect to hatch at least 100 each year, the first year with a new line hatch and raise everything you can and learn the line. This will teach you what you can cull and when you can cull in teh future so you know how the birds develop first hand. the second year you are better prepared and know what to watch out for. I like to start with two sometimes three trios, each from a different breeder just to see what line I like best and what faults exist within each line. I will then choose one line to work from pimarily. It grows each year with the trio breed 100, keep 2 cockrells and 4 pullets. You now have 3 trios to work from that will be nicest you have do this again to really develop the line now that you know how it breeds and when you can safely cull what trait

 

[patman75]

Quote:

Wow, nice setup. Hmmm was thinking much smaller, but with a small operation really get any results?

Smaller operations can be very successful when very focused, you should expect to hatch at least 100 each year, the first year with a new line hatch and raise everything you can and learn the line. This will teach you what you can cull and when you can cull in teh future so you know how the birds develop first hand. the second year you are better prepared and know what to watch out for. I like to start with two sometimes three trios, each from a different breeder just to see what line I like best and what faults exist within each line. I will then choose one line to work from pimarily. It grows each year with the trio breed 100, keep 2 cockrells and 4 pullets. You now have 3 trios to work from that will be nicest you have do this again to really develop the line now that you know how it breeds and when you can safely cull what trait

So roughly speaking if I hatch 100 a year, i'm guessing (help me out here) that I would cull at certain stages of the chicks development? Obvious culls when they hatch, cross beak, limpers, etc would be X%. How old would they be for next cull? How many different cull development stages do you have? I guessing if I wait for the culls to grow out a bit I will have a good supply of meat.