Breeding vs Reproducing

Breeding and reproducing have their pros and cons. Be mindful that both are creating life and take that seriously.

Reproducing is easy. Put two animals together and Bam! Babies. Watch the news, ASPCA commercials, FB hatching groups and you will see where people Just want more and more then trying to Find homes and let’s just not go there and ruin my day. On another hand, reproducing has a purpose if you just need more eggs or meat for whatever reason and indifferent to what breed it is, be it full or mixed.

Breeding takes education on genetics and education. Takes infrastructure. Takes wisdom to know when to listen instead of speak. Patience. Self control. Willingness to make mistakes and ask for help. Space. Time. It should be enjoyed. Record keeping. Feed money. And a plan for those that don’t make the cut.

As I’m journeying down the path of breeder, I have to study things I didn’t know existed a few years ago. Learn what to do when they are encountered. Make a plan and follow through. For the past few weeks, I have been studying wing structure of the LF Cochin. Today, I am assessing my Cochin male grow out pen and removing those that don’t make the cut. This is a comparison between the birds I have and not my bird to someone else’s. To pick the better ones going forward. This will allow more room for the “better” ones to grow. Less feed competition. More room for them To spread those wings!

The ones I remove will go to another pen. I will Offer them For sale if someone needs a good Cochin. Otherwise they will become food. And that’s ok! I know what they have been fed. How they were treated.

Live with purpose and give purpose to what you create. Be thoughtful instead of greedy and wasteful Do your best in everything you do.