The Starting Point · 2021. 1. 18. · • The starting point should be obtaining quality stock...
1
The Starting Point... UK New Hampshire Reds • There are some points to consider before embarking on a journey of re- establishing a heritage pure breed such as the New Hampshire Red, for example… • Many people start out by purchasing a trio at market and this is an ʻinstant fail.ʼ The pen often has ʻunrelated stockʼ written on a piece of paper on the front, but in truth the majority of these vendors have many breeds (often up to 20) and few will be running 2 unrelated bloodlines of the pure breed that has caught your eye. • There will obviously be genuine cases where the birds arenʼt completely related, but many of them will be brother and sister from parents who were brother and sister. As a result, production, hardiness, genetic diversity and general vigour will have greatly suffered. • Many people donʼt understand the importance of keeping strict records and regulating how closely their birds are related. Skills are being lost because ʻlazy logicʼ comes into play and there seems to be a belief that everything will be OK if you just ʻwing it.ʼ • The starting point should be obtaining quality stock from a conscientious breeder and then beginning your own history. If you start as you mean to go on and focus your energies, great improvements can be made in a short space of time.
Transcript of The Starting Point · 2021. 1. 18. · • The starting point should be obtaining quality stock...
-
The Starting Point...
UK New Hampshire Reds
• There are some points to consider before embarking on a journey of re-establishing a heritage pure breed such as the New Hampshire Red, for example…
• Many people start out by purchasing a trio at market and this is an ʻinstant fail.ʼ The pen often has ʻunrelated stockʼ written on a piece of paper on the front, but in truth the majority of these vendors have many breeds (often up to 20) and few will be running 2 unrelated bloodlines of the pure breed that has caught your eye.
• There will obviously be genuine cases where the birds arenʼt completely related, but many of them will be brother and sister from parents who were brother and sister. As a result, production, hardiness, genetic diversity and general vigour will have greatly suffered.
• Many people donʼt understand the importance of keeping strict records and regulating how closely their birds are related. Skills are being lost because ʻlazy logicʼ comes into play and there seems to be a belief that everything will be OK if you just ʻwing it.ʼ
• The starting point should be obtaining quality stock from a conscientious breeder and then beginning your own history. If you start as you mean to go on and focus your energies, great improvements can be made in a short space of time.
