Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[thedragonlady]

Well, in the vain of posting pics, here are some of our 2013 Dorking pullets. Those in runs are older; those on range are younger. There are about 14 weeks of age difference between the oldest and the youngest birds.

These photos show the uniformity of good breeding, and superlative management. Lovely birds !

 

[Robert Blosl]

Quote:

 

[Robert Blosl]

Heritage breeds poultry are a doorway to something more vast, something more beautiful. When we choose to be dedicated to one or two breeds and breed them well, we save their utility for future generations. Heritage fowl are a special resource. To be safeguarded, they need breeders that are willing to breed them well, remembering always their heritage as useful farming fowl. Pax et bonum.

found this on the bottom of a super star posters message.

For you who are lurking this is our mission in a nut shell.

Many on this web site can not get this through their heads. They are so spoiled going t the feed store, coop or Tractor Supply to get these quite little chicks then think they got the real breeds they are raising. Thought I would post this for the lurkers who are about to make a change we are ready for you. We have had a successful year converting the old lugers to Preservationist. Its so easy if you are willing to make the change.

 

[NanaKat]

Here is my two cents:
I only know of 2 - 3 other folks here on BYC breeding Columbian Wyandotte. I have seen only one other breeder at the Show in Shawnee Oklahoma two years ago.
We could use some more folks interested in breeding and improving the breed. They have a rosecomb, lay 3 - 5 eggs a week and dress out as a nice meat bird at 4 - 4.5 lbs. The make good brooders and great mothers. Pleasant disposition and love to forage.


Young birds from this year's breeding pens



2 cockerels and various pullets








And the breeding parents. Started with a rooster and 4 hens three years ago..... Rooster with hen 1, then hen 2 and hen 3

 

[thedragonlady]

Here is my two cents:
I only know of 2 - 3 other folks here on BYC breeding Columbian Wyandotte. I have seen only one other breeder at the Show in Shawnee Oklahoma two years ago.
We could use some more folks interested in breeding and improving the breed. They have a pea comb, lay 3 - 5 eggs a week and dress out as a nice meat bird at 4 - 4.5 lbs. The make good brooders and great mothers. Pleasant disposition and love to forage.


Young birds from this year's breeding pens



2 cockerels and various pullets








And the breeding parents. Started with a rooster and 4 hens three years ago..... Rooster with hen 1, then hen 2 and hen 3

Lovely birds worth working with. Love the Columbian pattern.

 

[Robert Blosl]

Outstanding display of nice typed and colored Wyandotte's. They are in need of help as the Columbian Rocks and what a great breed to own in frigid cold climates Lurkers as you don't have to worry about frozen combs on your males. Be nice to get two to four of you involved with this project. Thank you for taking the time to promote your Wyandotte's. By the way a White Wyandotte won big this weekend at the show in Indiana. I save the picture and will post it and its owner. She looks like she has great finish and type.

 

[AletaG]

Here is my two cents:
I only know of 2 - 3 other folks here on BYC breeding Columbian Wyandotte. I have seen only one other breeder at the Show in Shawnee Oklahoma two years ago.
We could use some more folks interested in breeding and improving the breed. They have a pea comb, lay 3 - 5 eggs a week and dress out as a nice meat bird at 4 - 4.5 lbs. The make good brooders and great mothers. Pleasant disposition and love to forage.

Young birds from this year's breeding pens

And the breeding parents. Started with a rooster and 4 hens three years ago..... Rooster with hen 1, then hen 2 and hen 3

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

I started with only a trio and my first 2 seasons I hatched in excess of 100 chicks. Last yr I raised about 75

 

[AletaG]

I started with only a trio and my first 2 seasons I hatched in excess of 100 chicks. Last yr I raised about 75

How old before you began culling? Were many obvious early (within a few weeks)? How many were needed to grow to maturity before making breeding choices?

Like I said, trying to get an idea of the sheer space required to do a breed like this right. Not for me, for the other excitable newbies.

Remember my exuberance regarding Dels? Turns out I'm not a good Del (or Col Wy) breeder candidate. Don't have room. But it took forever to get the numbers I needed to make that decision. Just trying to short cut it, so if I see a Col Wy - researching newbie, can say, go check out the HLF thread, first few days of Sept. 2013 or so...

 

[Apdeb]

Aleta. Im a beginner i started with 10 chicks from a breeder. 7 pullets 3 roosters
I have lost one rooster to a hawk. I have a couple of pullets i know i cant breed due faults
My p/c's are 4 mos old sept 19th
My breed is slow to mature so prob no eggs til 24 to 26 weeks. The way it looks right now out of 10 i have 5 to use for breeding. In my book that is a great ratio. START WITH GOOD QUALITY stock!!!! My purebred chicks were $6 each and an 11 hour car trip round trip. Worth every penny