If I may jump in here. I only have pet type birds for my own pleasure, I don't have the chance to go to many shows. I have bought a couple of show culls to pair with mine, for size mostly. This worked really well breeding one pet one show type, I have bred some lovely birds of good size, colours etc but don't know how they compare with "show" stock. But I have noted that the show hens only seem to have 3 chicks or fertile eggs compared to pet type hens bred with a "show" cock who have had up to 9 eggs but not a lot filled. Also bought a big grey pied show cock who ate the eggs !!

My point is do you think the birds have been "overdone" so to speak with the mutations being played with for various points, long mask, broad heads, shoulders etc. (speaking out of the top of my head as I don't show) to the detriment of the fertility strength etc. ? Maybe throwing in some more "common" blood back into the mix may help? Just a thought.

If I may jump in here. I only have pet type birds for my own pleasure, I don't have the chance to go to many shows. I have bought a couple of show culls to pair with mine, for size mostly. This worked really well breeding one pet one show type, I have bred some lovely birds of good size, colours etc but don't know how they compare with "show" stock. But I have noted that the show hens only seem to have 3 chicks or fertile eggs compared to pet type hens bred with a "show" cock who have had up to 9 eggs but not a lot filled. Also bought a big grey pied show cock who ate the eggs !!

My point is do you think the birds have been "overdone" so to speak with the mutations being played with for various points, long mask, broad heads, shoulders etc. (speaking out of the top of my head as I don't show) to the detriment of the fertility strength etc. ? Maybe throwing in some more "common" blood back into the mix may help? Just a thought.

 

 

The important point to make here is.......you bought culls. Show birds are culled for various reasons........a family line that may not be at all fertile is one. If you are buying showbred hens then you have to buy them as babies and not previously bred ones. Previously bred hens may also have been culled for a reason, .....i.e. egg eating, not sitting, addling, only 2-3 eggs, bad mothers etc. Both sexes casn be gotten rid of because they eat eggs or addle all their eggs in the nestbox.

Really important is you breed your own hens and buy in cocks. Buying in hens that arent babies and waiting till they grow ....is like playing russian roulette.....most of the time.

Show breeders will not keep birds with low to no fertility. Culls are the scrap heap of breeding birds....every now and then you get a win. Most show breeders also put their birds on doxy before breeding to increase fertility and knock out any hidden bugs.

Edited November 29, 201113 yr by **KAZ**

I don't think fertility has anything to do with show bird or pet. I have some pet's that have 4 eggs a clutch, 3 fertile. I have some shows that have 8 eggs a clutch, with all fertile. You also have the other side, such as pets with 10 eggs and 7 fertile, or show birds with 4 eggs fertile out of 4. I

Don't know how my post ended up here I posted it on, Miss. " winge for the day" as a comment on previous post's there about the trouble breeders have had etc.

 

Meaning like dogs e.g where they have been "modified" for this or that trait, they have created other problems not found in the original breeds.

Don't know how my post ended up here I posted it on, Miss. " winge for the day" as a comment on previous post's there about the trouble breeders have had etc.

 

 

 

the job we staff have is to put topics in appropriate places....this seemed less of a whinge topic and more of a general breeding topic related to show birds........hence the move. Besides in its own topic it will get more attention.

Well I figure if you select heavily for size and feather and don't pay any attention to fertility, somethings gotta give. Conversely if we select heavily for fertility I bet size and feather will suffer.

Do you trim the vents of your "show birds"?

Don't know how my post ended up here I posted it on, Miss. " winge for the day" as a comment on previous post's there about the trouble breeders have had etc.

 

 

 

the job we staff have is to put topics in appropriate places....this seemed less of a whinge topic and more of a general breeding topic related to show birds........hence the move. Besides in its own topic it will get more attention.

 

Thanks for that info Kaz., being a non show breeder I didn't feel my comments were informed enough for show bird forums, just general observations.