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I
know this is a long overdue update to my website. As my kids get older and more
involved, my time gets to be less and less. I’m also back to work now that
college is looming in a few years.
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These and other factors have
forced some decisions and changes with our birds. We will be raising more calls
in fewer varieties. We have stopped fertile egg sales. This will allow me more
freedom in changing my breeding pens around without having to worry about
fertility.
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It is important to remember
that this is my hobby. And on many days is the only thing that keeps me sane.
I’m not into big numbers and points. We show at 2-3 shows a year. I do take
pride in the evolving quality in my birds. As I walked thru the sale isle at
the Ohio National this year, I was disappointed in the quality of birds being
offered. However, I started with that very quality 8 years ago. I’ve learned a
lot since then.
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The pictures posted on my
site are of birds that I have bred. All my birds are works in process.
Therefore, you will see some long bills and bodies. Color may be off. I even
have some two toned chocolate calls. This has been a learning process for me,
and I hope others can benefit from my postings.
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I ended up hatching 186
calls this year. The hatch rate of eggs that made it to the hatcher was 52%.
Please note that says eggs that made it to the hatcher. It doesn’t take into
account infertile or eggs that died during incubation. I’m sure my white call
hatch rate with the total # of eggs set was around 10%. The best of my whites
were hatched by broody mallard and a bluefawn call. I’m even convinced that
not all broodies are good at hatching call eggs. I have two hens that are very
very good. Even though they are pet quality birds, they’ve hatched out
hundreds of dollars worth of calls for me.
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We made great strides in most varieties. Our
Butterscotch Pullet was the first place pullet at the National Call Meet at the
Ohio National. We also had RV with our black and blue bibbed pullets. My
daughter had BV and RV with a gray call hen and pullet in the Jr Show. She also
had the BV Butterscotch with a cockerel. She won a pair of Blue Butterscotch in
the raffle. She is excited to start with this new project in the spring.
