Acquiring your first breeding trio is a thrill beyond description. It opens up a whole new world of possibilities. For most it becomes an obsession that will last a lifetime.
Some will partake in a hobby that has existed for over four thousand years; some will play an important part in the showing and exhibition side of the hobby, while others will enjoy just having them around the farm for ornamental reasons. No matter your reasons, obtaining the best fowl possible should be the goal of every breeder, beginner and veteran alike.
Is it easy? No, in fact, obtaining high quality fowl can be extremely difficult. I cannot tell you how many phone calls, emails, and letters I get each year from fellow backyard breeders who were sold substandard fowl.
Purchasing high quality fowl: When purchasing brood fowl, it is by all means advisable to visit the breeder’s farm before making the purchase. This will put the selection and decision making, to buy or not to buy, in your hands, and insure that you are receiving the best fowl possible. This not only gives you a chance to select birds you like, but it enables you to assess the quality and vigor of the overall family, and the soundness of the breeder’s farm.
A talk with the breeder gives you valuable insight of his breeding practices, and the breeding tendencies of his fowl. Insights such as these will aid you in selecting more intelligently, and to produce better offspring and have quicker results.
Whenever it is not practicable or possible to visit the breeder’s farm, you will have to depend upon the judgment and ability of the breeder to select the best bird(s). First, make sure he is reputable, trustworthy and dependable. Be aware that peddlers are everywhere, and they are always ready and willing to take your hard earned money. They prey on the beginners who are less experienced.
There are ways to recognize a peddler. Here are some of the warning signs:
- Ask them, “Do you believe in breeding and maintaining pure families and strains?”
- Next, ask them, “How do you breed your fowl?” If they use crossbreeding as a major part of their breeding program, run! I would be cautious of breeders who use outcrossing as well.
- How many varieties or strains do they breed and raise? One or two breeds or strains are best, three or four is questionable, and anything more than that is a peddler’s menagerie. Master Breeders only raise one or two strains, three at the most. Very seldom do peddlers raise one or two strains.
- Are their fowl uniform and consistent in all their characteristics and traits? And, do they breed for uniformity? If their fowl come all colors and types you are probably dealing with hybrid-crosses, or the breeder is inexperienced or doesn’t know what he is doing.
- Does he charge more per bird when you decide to visit? Most likely he would ship the second raters or defective fowl.
- Does he have a clear understanding of the breeding tendencies of his fowl? For instance, I would ask him – “What are the most common defects that you get from this family?” If they do not know or understand the term “Common Defect,” again, if is best to leave.
Before the breeder ships your fowl, make sure that you explain not only the characteristics and traits that you desire, but also, describe briefly the purpose for which you are buying them, and provide a good description of the fowl you desire. Be especially clear of your demands, and leave nothing to chance.
Ask the breeder to give you information as to their breeding tendencies. He should know this well. For instance, he should know how to breed them to achieve the best in conformation of body, color of plumage, temperament, and performance/production qualities. He should know what the most common defects are, and any health issues to watch out for?
