Whats the big deal with show quility?

[duckyfromoz]

Very few birds hatched from show quality parents will actually be of show quality themselves- so even when buying from a hatchery that does sell them as from " show quality " parents- it really is the luck of the draw as to what a person may end up with. From 10 they may be lucky enough to have one that would be very close to the breed standard and worth putting in a show pen.
It can also mean that the bloodlines and purity of the ducklings is better, crossbreeding is nessecary to improve vigor and halth within a flock- but with show lines- ducklings cant really be sold for a number of generations since the last cross to ensure that offspring are genetically the same as the parents.

Buying show quality doesnt mean that will get show quality birds..and buying birds that did not have show quality parents does not mean a duckling will not grow up to be show worthy.

This year one of my drakes won Champion waterfowl at two shows. He was bred from a pair of ducks not show quality themselves- but carefully chosen to compliment each other. The resulting female offspring were not good enough to show- but with his wins to prove it - He obviously was.

 

[Senna95]

Everyone raises their birds for their own reasons. Personally, I don't really care if they're the best of egg-layers, but to those that want to sell eggs that would be hugely important.

Sometimes mixed breeds make the best pets (like pound-puppies, or rescued cats) rather then the high-strung runners or the loud, fat pekins.

Those that raise for meat need to invest in birds that have good food to meat conversion ratios.

And some like to show their birds, or just like the look of a specialty breed.

To each their own.

 

[DUCKGIRL89]

Im trying to raise my birds for eggs, and to sell as pets, there is no reason I need show ducks. Is there?

 

[desertdarlene]

People want different things and it's great that there are different places that sell things that different people like. So, we can all be happy and get what we want, too.

 

[DUCKGIRL89]

Quote:
Exactly!

 

[toadbriar]

Quote:
Only you can decide what you need

But it's probably easier to sell birds that look and function like a good example of their breed - even as pets. A mixed breed or hatchery bird has the same needs and makes the same mess as a SQ bird - so if it's going to be the same amount of work, why not do it for a more valuable line of livestock?

Pet ducks, hatchery ducks, production ducks, and mixed breeds are all potentially fantastic birds. But, if the only way you know your runner is because it says 'runner' on your receipt, what's the point of getting a runner in the first place?

 

[duckluck]

Quote:
Only you can decide what you need

But it's probably easier to sell birds that look and function like a good example of their breed - even as pets. A mixed breed or hatchery bird has the same needs and makes the same mess as a SQ bird - so if it's going to be the same amount of work, why not do it for a more valuable line of livestock?

Pet ducks, hatchery ducks, production ducks, and mixed breeds are all potentially fantastic birds. But, if the only way you know your runner is because it says 'runner' on your receipt, what's the point of getting a runner in the first place?

Ditto that...many people want a certain look or function in their birds, and the way to try to get what one is aiming for is, of course, to buy what one is aiming for in the first place. Or at least something that approaches being close to it that they can work with to build toward that.

Also, if you already have show quality or something coming close to a standard bred bird, it becomes easier to rehome it should the need arise, because there is a much higher demand for these birds.

 

[GrannyCarol]

I have no interest in showing my ducks, but when I buy a Welsh Harlequin, for instance, I really want that pretty color, sweet temperament, good egg laying ability. If a hatchery sends out birds that don't even look like the breed, I'd be very disapointed. I want to know what color, size, overall look I'm getting. I breed both purebreds and crosses. My purebreds are from show stock and have the look for the breed they are. My crosses are for fun and, if I sell one, I make it clear its just a mutt. Usually I cross meat breeds with meat and layers with layers, so that I have a good idea what to expect for function too. I would NOT be happy to buy Welsh Harlequins, which I love, and get Roens, which I'm not currently interested in. They are totally different, one breed for eggs, the other for meat. I've bought a fair number of ducklings from Holderread's and really enjoyed them. I'd post a picture, but Photobucket seems to be all weird today.

 

[Oregon Blues]

For this reason:

When I decided to get back into poultry, I studied all the information about duck breeds before I made my decision. I decided on Blue Swedish because I love the way they look and I love the blue color and tidy bib.

I go to buy a pair of Blue Swedish, and they are enormous, the male has a green enormous round head, and both of them have blobby splotched bibs.

Hey, that's not what I picked out from the photos on-line. They looked like Rouen crosses. Absolutely not what I had decided to raise.

So, the quest started for Blue Swedish. They are amazingly difficult to find. It took me a full year to finally get the ducks I want. Most of the ducks I looked at had blotchy bibs, many were the wrong size, some didn't have good color. I was holding out for ducks just like I had seen on-line.

I did purchase 20 Swedish from a hatchery, specifically to butcher. The "blue" ducklings arrived with most of them black, some had crests, which I detest because they are a health weakness. Temperaments were not good, or even close to good (my son called them "The Nut Cases"). Those weren't from Metzer, but I've seen Swedish from Metzer, and they aren't what I want, either.

So, it depends upon what you want. If you can't understand the benefits of purebred animals, then there is no point in your paying the extra cost to purchase purebred animals. Mutts make fine pets. Me, I want my poultry to look and act exactly like the breed that they are and I want them to produce more ducklings and goslings that look and act exactly like the breed that they are.

That's why I purchased my original stock from a very careful breeder that valued ducks and geese that look exactly and act exactly like the breed that they are. It's not actually much more money if you think about it, and the benefits gained can last a lifetime, if you happen to stay involved in ducks for that length of time.

 

[Oregon Blues]

If we are talking specifically about Welsh Harlequins, I love the way that they look. I love the contract between the very dark bill and the pale colored head. To me, if I wanted to buy Welsh Harlequins, I would be very unhappy if they grew up with yellow bills or green bills, or spotted bills. Without that lovely head, to me, they aren't really Welsh Harlequins. They are just ducks that look sort of like Welsh Harlequins, except not nearly as pretty.