When does a bloodline become "Yours"

[Celtic Hill]

So saying a bird has a specific bloodline is pretty much pointless because if your not the breeder of those birds and are selling eggs/chicks from "Breeder A" your using it as a marketing tool. And i guess this is why alot of breeders have closed flocks and don't sell their bloodlines because they dont want other people to abuse their bloodline and dilout it and have someone sell a bird as "Breeder A's Bloodline" and have it be an ugly bird.

 

[Ridgerunner]

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I think this is the key. You are selecting which pairs breed. Your selection will probably not match what the owner of the original line would have done. They are not that line anymore.

I think it is important to start with good stock, and I don't see anything wrong with mentioning where the parent stock came from. After all, somebody might be looking for fresh genetics to mix with their birds which may have come from the same line. But after you have selected which paretns go together, they are no longer the original line. Their background has a specific line in it, but there is a distinct difference.

This is even more personal opinion. I don't think you should call it your "line" until you have gone through a few generations with your culling practices and develop a consistency in your results. By this, I do not mean every bird is of equal high quality. I mean that you consistently get some birds that are of high quality.

 

[Rock N' Faverolles]

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I don't agree. Most people that have bred for years don't state where their birds came from unless they are specifically asked. Most good breeders don't care where the birds came from if the bird in question is good and it has the traits they are looking for to cross into their own line. I find the bloodines historically very interesting, but that's where it stops. Even an outcross back to the same 'bloodlines' 30 years removed may not work because too many things have been changed. Group A of the same line was selected for different things then Group B was. A prime example, I was looking for a white rock bantam male for a friend of mine who needed one. The next show I went to, I went straight to the White Rock cages (before the judging) and found the one I thought would work best for him. Then, and only then, did I look at the exhibitor # to cross reference to the exhibitor's list to see who owned it. I didn't care what 'name' owned him. I cared about the bird. There is too much emphasis placed on 'lines' and 'strains' instead of just good old fashioned breeder selection and mating.

David

 

[Jared77]

Its buyer beware because even if they say Well these are Joe's Lines then it really doesn't matter because the buyer has to realize that Joe didn't breed the birds so the new breeder may not have culled as hard or had the quality stock to produce on the same level as Joe the original breeder. If you like the stock buy it and work with it. If not then pass regardless of what or who they say the foundation stock came from. Because unless its F1 chicks from Joe's lines its not Joe's birds anymore.

I think being able to claim your line as your own involves consistency. If you can consistently produce chicks that are pretty uniform (75% I think was what was mentioned) you have your own line. That means you've selected for traits and reinforced traits through your breeding practices so your getting more and more chicks that look the same. Size, pattern, combs, leg color, feathering, you should be producing pretty cookie cutter type of birds generation after generation. Sure they may not be top winners or any of them winners but if your uniform that's more important.

 

[Chris09]

I would like to say we are breeding chickens not lines [or breeders names]. I see way too many people trying to sell a line /breeders names and not the breed it's self.

I look at it this way --
If I get birds off of breeder X and breed them bird the chicks out of them are no longer breeder X line they are my line but they are out of breeder X stock.

Breeder X Rooster ---------+
Your line out of Breeder X stock --------
Breeder X Hen --------------+


Chris

 

[donrae]

I had this whole reply typed out and the **** dog crawled under the desk and hit the power!

Anyway, the gist of it was.............I'd consider a line "yours" when someone else CARES that that's your line. Basically. For me, it would take a minimum of four generations to think I had bred for specific traits and could get consistent results according to the goals I'd laid out years earlier.

**** dog, anyway. Someone should tell him Great Dane's don't fit under desks!

 

[Medicine Man]

look at how many pepole say 'i have Wade Jean C1 & C2', I saw somebody say even they had Wade Jean C2. now how do anybody kjnow that those birds came from C2? most or so many don't know what the C means and how long ago did Wade give up his birds?

I would like to kjnow if I may call the following 'my lines':

1. Olive Eggers: not the constant F1/B1 stuff amats are doing but mine are on their way to a distinct strain. i did skip some time by acquiring the unrelated B1s but i selected from them.
2. BCMs: I got my eggs from a lady who had her flock for three jears. when she bought eggs from EVERYbody (amost) and then just let them run wild and procreate.. I don't think Wade or Beverly or Ron or Buddy or Bethel would like thier names to be on those plus it is strictly a dark egg laying line with no desires for a medal. Is this 'my' line now? no I am not willy-nilly tinkering either.
3. NA Quechua - I selected that one in a million girl and soon will acquire an old old kind of roosty: immediately i think this is my line, for whos else could it be?

I Suppose these examples are not too similar to most where you are buying stock and right away breeding it to itself. but that's not my boat.

 

[Medicine Man]

and I am taking suggestions for namming my lines you can write yuour suggestion on a 20 bill and mail. Msg me for address.

 

[Lotsapaints]

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Right after you send me some of your awesome eggs

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

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This would be my position as well.

I agree with you.