Danny Feathers is a Master Breeder of chickens and gamefowl and judge for the American Bantam Association. “Danny is the real deal.” He’s one of few breeders able to improve multiple breeds, and maintain high-quality strains.
I’m so happy to have Danny Feathers on the show with us. He’s a Master Breeder from Northern Oklahoma and a judge for the American Bantam Association. He not only raises chickens and gamefowl, but breeds and raises Racing Pigeons, and is very successful. “Danny is the real deal.” Everyone I talked to, agrees that Danny is one of the few breeders able to breed and raise a large number of breeds, and maintain a high quality throughout his yard.
Although Danny breeds both chickens and gamefowl, don’t let this discourage you from listening. This information is good for all breeders. I say it all the time – we gamefowl breeders can learn a lot from domestic chicken breeders, and domestic chicken breeders can learn a lot from gamefowl breeders.
Yes, the breeds are different, and have different purposes, but the breeding methods and genetics are the same. The only difference is the traits we select and the purpose for which they are bred. Everything else is the same.
In fact, most of the greatest breeders I know are from the domestic side. Very few gamefowl breeders use proper breeding programs. They use crossbreeding as their only method of breeding, and their results are usually unpredictable and inconsistent. Just look at Facebook. I would not give most breeders 50 cents for their best fowl.
So, keep an open mind, and value the knowledge and advice of other types of breeders, because if you don’t, you are doing this at your own peril. Breeding is a centuries old practice, one used by all types of breeders, for all types of animals. The only difference is the traits they select. The breeding principles and practices, the breeding programs and methods are the same.
I see it all the time, gamefowl breeders who are not getting the results they are looking for, and blaming it on outside sources. This is usually due to the fact that they rely on family and friends for advice, who also don’t know what they are doing. They rely on old wives tales and superstitions, and not on scientific facts and proven breeding principles and practices. This is extremely evident when I hear comments such as:
- Conformation of body does not matter.
- The only thing that matters is winning.
- Gameness is everything.
- I only breed the “best to the best.”
- There is no such thing as pure.
- Etc.
As you listen to this show, I urge you to open your mind. Take it in, and really think about the information you are listening to. I’m sure you will find it interesting, practical and extremely valuable. This is true with everything I teach about breeding and improving your strains.
I have dedicated my life to helping breeders like you to advance your knowledge and skills as a breeder, and improve the quality of your fowl. My specialty is showing you how to create a true strain from mongrel flocks, or by creating a strain from unrelated cocks and hens. This is accomplished by breeding a hen from one breeder and a cock from another breeder, and using proper breeding programs and knowing which birds to select each breeding season.
Very few are able to purchase or obtain high quality fowl from a great breeder. They are forced to start where they are, or continue to purchase new birds each and every year. I’m here to tell you there is another way. And that is what we teach at the Breeders Academy.
I have a Breeding Program, called the Founders Program, and many courses and resources that compliment this program. I can help you increase your knowledge of breeding, advance your skills as a breeder and improve the quality of your strains.
With that said, I would like to encourage you to join the Breeders Academy.
Today’s topics:
- Why it’s good to breed to a standard and not look for the quick fix.
- Why it’s important to breed for type and balance (conformation of body).
- Danny talks about those who had the greatest influence on him, and how they helped him to become the breeder he is today.
- Why it’s good to have an eye that can see the finer points of the bird.
- The downfall of the American Games with the introduction of the Aseels.
- Danny talks about all the breeds he is breeding and raising.
- Talks about the various strains of American Games that he breeds and raises.
- Why it’s important to know what you are talking about before teaching others.
- Why some lesser chickens win and others that are better don’t.
- Talks about how he feeds his fowl.
- How Danny breeds and manages multiple breeds and strains.
- How he created his strain of Large Buff Leghorns.
- Danny shares a technique he calls his “Plus-Minus.”
- He also explains why the “tough love” or “honesty” approach is always best when helping other breeders, especially the beginner breeders.
- Why most breeders these days are crossing and producing mongrels, and why that’s a big mistake.
- Why bantams should be good representatives of their larger counterparts.
- More on the importance of breeding and showing to a written standard, and how to interpret what the standard says.
- How to select your breeders, and what’s the most important trait to select for.
- He talks about the most common mistakes, and why many breeders fail.
- Why most of the information provided on the internet is more harmful than good.
- Danny gives us some concluding advice to end the show with, such as, why we should enjoy the journey and have fun.
Before we get started with the interview – A funny thing happened. I was talking with Danny on Facebook about coming on the show, not in private, but on the wall for everyone to see. Yes, everyone could see our discussion. It was interesting to see their reactions to the possibility of Danny coming on the show. Everyone was eager and excited to listen to an episode with Danny.
Talking about facebook – Danny posted a message that I found very interesting. He said:
I’m always amazed at some of the suggestions that others are giving, tryin to help others. I commend most for at least tryin to help, while others just sit back and do nothing. But sometimes I just get absolutely floored by some of the suggestions.
Just about everything you want to fix on a bird can be taken care of by one thing. You want better feather quality, breed for it. You want a better front end, breed for it. You want better leg color, breed for it. Stop lookin for the quick fix. There are no magic potions, There are no shortcuts.
He goes on to say: Do the work. Pick a breed that you love, and stick with it, whether it is a lesser known or a more popular breed.
Enjoy the journey and learn so that you can pass it along to the next generation. Don’t be in the – “here today, gone tomorrow” crowd.
Danny’s been breeding Leghorns for over 40 yrs, and he admits that he’s “Still learning every day.”
It’s a great message we should all think long and hard about it.
We had a lot of fun talking with Danny. And I’m glad he said yes, about coming on the show. He was very giving of his time and knowledge, and I do believe you will find this information extremely valuable. I would not be surprised if this becomes our highest rated show.
If you put what he teaches you into practice, I do believe your fowl and you as a breeder will improve. This is the kind of information that can take you to the next level. This information is not only good for the beginner, but for all breeders. So, I’m very excited to share this interview with you.
