- Feb 5, 2015
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Have you considered entering these into the calendar contest? I'd love to see one win and get put on the calendar!
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I have kind of a silly question for any salmon breeders. Can you breed salmons with other breeds? I'm curious because they have five toes and if that would give them a birth defect or something?
***For the poster who commented that her chicks are freaking out every time she comes near - I have seen this with every single hatch, and have heard it from others. It's almost like Faverolles need time to grow into their brains or something. I don't even bother trying to get close to them until they are five months or more - they calm down a great deal by then. I have some 3-month-old pullets right now, and they have little birdy heart attacks every time I come to change their water and food. I just get in and out of there as quickly and calmly as I can, and leave them be. I know this seems like contrary advice, but it always seemed to me that I was stressing them more by forcing my attentions on them, instead of just leaving them alone to mature. Just be patient - they'll calm down. It's not you - it's them. I have no idea why this is.
Quote:
Popcorn chicken! LOL!!
Faverolles are a fabulous breed! I'm continually delighted by their personalities and appearance, and very grateful for all of the great breeders I have met, and their wonderful advice.
Ok, soap box time, for those who are considering breeding Faverolles:
This is not an easy bird to breed. I strongly recommend that newbies do their research and ask lots of questions, before beginning a breeding program. One of the problems facing the breed in this country is a very small gene pool that is being regularly contaminated by people not breeding to standard, or breeding birds with faults, and then not culling strongly as the birds grow. (Granted, this issue is not limited to Faverolles only.) There are a small number of breeders out there doing it right, but a great number just breeding because "chicks are just so cute," or they want their kids to see the "miracle of life," or they just "want to see what happens if." Unfortunately, many of the results of these breedings end up producing even more birds that, because of poor genes, weaken the breed as a whole. It can take decades for faults (such as four toes, no beards, visible wattles, bad coloring, etc.) created through poor breeding to be eliminated from a line, and when the number of good birds is already so small, it can be devastating for the breed as a whole. You need to ask yourself - no matter what breed you're working with - why am I doing this? Is what I'm doing going to contribute positively to the breed?
No bird, no matter the breed, is going to be high quality from a hatchery. Some hatcheries are better than others, but only the occasional fluke will allow that bird to be showable to the standard. If you want birds that look like those in the standard, then you have to buy from responsible breeders. Starting a breeding program with hatchery birds can be done, but good results can take many years, because the good foundation just does not exist in those lines.
If you want birds that meet the standard, take your time, do your research, and start with the best stock you can get. Be willing to pay for the quality, and be willing to wait. A lot of the best breeders only have a handful of pairs and trios producing, so you may have to wait for next year's hatch. Trust me - it's worth it!
If you want birds for your backyard, then the hatcheries are a fine place to go. Many of us were introduced to Faverolles this way. The wonderful personalities exist in those birds, if not the looks. They are a great family pet, and great with kids.
***For the poster who commented that her chicks are freaking out every time she comes near - I have seen this with every single hatch, and have heard it from others. It's almost like Faverolles need time to grow into their brains or something. I don't even bother trying to get close to them until they are five months or more - they calm down a great deal by then. I have some 3-month-old pullets right now, and they have little birdy heart attacks every time I come to change their water and food. I just get in and out of there as quickly and calmly as I can, and leave them be. I know this seems like contrary advice, but it always seemed to me that I was stressing them more by forcing my attentions on them, instead of just leaving them alone to mature. Just be patient - they'll calm down. It's not you - it's them. I have no idea why this is.
For the poster that managed to get the birds to be friendly after a couple of weeks - good for you!