Chicken Breed Focus - Penedesenca

[thepick4uchicks]

Well it’s kind of weird where I live. It’s a very rural small town. No restrictions on having chickens. However, I live in town in a subdivision yet I own an entire block pretty much. So mine could free range some as longer as I was outside with them only because there are too many predators and traffic. It is rural yes but our town is an access area to a major highway- HWY-45 interstate actually. So the traffic actually right in front of our house is bad. You wouldn’t think it would be but it is. Our front street also leads to the mill and granary. The farmer that does all the main soybean growing for one of the main soybean names nationwide also stores his beans in our town but I can’t think of their name at the moment but you would know it. He is Scruggs Farms. The same street we live on also leads to the police station down the street a few houses down actually next door to my mother in law. Then we have a furniture factory behind us on another road which causes traffic behind us on our other street which is a dead end. So having the chickens free range is difficult even though we have a fenced yard at times if I am not out there able to catch them. Or if they don’t have clipped wings which as a first timer I am uncertain about doing yet. I just want very heat tolerant birds who are easier to handle because we have terrible storms here and I need to be able to keep them safe. I need to be able to catch them for lots of reasons. My main reasons for starting a backyard flock was the need for brown eggs and not white eggs. My husband has an allergy for some reason to store bought white eggs. Don’t know why. Could be the “no hormones” in them.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If your property is fenced, these birds wouldn't be a problem. They will only go over a fence if cornered or chased by dogs or coyotes.
As I said, I often confine a flock of roosters in a bachelor run with a 2 foot fence.

 

[Finnie]

Clipping wings never works for me. They say to clip just one ring to throw the bird off balance. I’ve tried it and it was like I did nothing. Even clipping both wings did not stop them. Now, this is on birds that already had a fence jumping habit. Maybe it works on birds who don’t jump fences, to prevent them from learning.

I have Penes that do and Penes that don’t.

 

[JCaseyHammond]

Belated thanks Sumi for your terrific review!

Spring of 2016, my local Tractor Supply sold straight-run Partridge Penedesenca. The breeder who supplied Tractor Supply is unknown. I bought all 8 chicks and put them in a brooder with a heating pad pinned over a piece of wire mesh. I usually raise chicks under broody hens, but none were available. The chicks were handled a lot, fed Flockraiser and grew out to larger than expected, to the size of Australorps. They were 4 pullets and 4 cockerels, uniform in color and pattern except one hen had different fluff. They were active foragers, roosted high in trees and in my aviary style coop, and were successful broodies. I was delighted with the Penedesenca eggs which were dark brown, and much different than the reddish terracotta color of eggs from my Cuckoo Marans. Unfortunately, I had a setback when someone let out the 4 boys where a dog picked them off. But two Easter EggerxPenedesenca daughters survived to lay olive green eggs and become successful broodies. I have one Easter EggerxPenedesenca cockerel.

Fast forward to 2020, Tractor Supply offered Crele Penedesenca pullets. I bought six hoping one would be male, because I believe the traits for dark brown eggs are recessive. The six are 3 crele and 3 partridge, all pullets. So, still need a purebred Penedesenca male.

 

[Finnie]

Belated thanks Sumi for your terrific review!

Spring of 2016, my local Tractor Supply sold straight-run Partridge Penedesenca. The breeder who supplied Tractor Supply is unknown. I bought all 8 chicks and put them in a brooder with a heating pad pinned over a piece of wire mesh. I usually raise chicks under broody hens, but none were available. The chicks were handled a lot, fed Flockraiser and grew out to larger than expected, to the size of Australorps. They were 4 pullets and 4 cockerels, uniform in color and pattern except one hen had different fluff. They were active foragers, roosted high in trees and in my aviary style coop, and were successful broodies. I was delighted with the Penedesenca eggs which were dark brown, and much different than the reddish terracotta color of eggs from my Cuckoo Marans. Unfortunately, I had a setback when someone let out the 4 boys where a dog picked them off. But two Easter EggerxPenedesenca daughters survived to lay olive green eggs and become successful broodies. I have one Easter EggerxPenedesenca cockerel.

Fast forward to 2020, Tractor Supply offered Crele Penedesenca pullets. I bought six hoping one would be male, because I believe the traits for dark brown eggs are recessive. The six are 3 crele and 3 partridge, all pullets. So, still need a purebred Penedesenca male.

I think that’s awesome that your TSC sold Crele Penes. Mine sold straight run partridge Penes in spring of 2018. I have children and grandchildren from them now.

This year I ordered Crele Penes from Welp. I don’t know where they source them from. Maybe the same place as yours. I ended up with 6 pullets and 4 cockerels. Make that 5 pullets, cuz I just this minute came in from losing one to a hawk! I came in to google whether or not it would be safe to eat her. She was quite hefty, and a very fresh kill. I’m sure the hawk got nothing to eat from her. There weren’t even many feathers pulled out yet.

But from searching, it sounds like there may be some concerns about contamination of the wound sites, and a lack of bleeding out. I decided I just don’t have time tonight to tackle it.

I noticed that the crele (mine anyway) have pale legs instead of grey, like my partridge. I’ve been assuming that’s from the barring gene. I know the Ameraucana people have trouble keeping slate legs when they introduce barring.

Their eggs are nice and dark though. Well, two are. The others are either not laying yet, or laying a lighter brown. I sure hope the dead one wasn’t one of the darkest egg ones. My Partridge lay nice and dark too. I’d like to try Wheaten next if I can find any.

 

[JCaseyHammond]

I think that’s awesome that your TSC sold Crele Penes. Mine sold straight run partridge Penes in spring of 2018. I have children and grandchildren from them now.

This year I ordered Crele Penes from Welp. I don’t know where they source them from. Maybe the same place as yours. I ended up with 6 pullets and 4 cockerels. Make that 5 pullets, cuz I just this minute came in from losing one to a hawk! I came in to google whether or not it would be safe to eat her. She was quite hefty, and a very fresh kill. I’m sure the hawk got nothing to eat from her. There weren’t even many feathers pulled out yet.

But from searching, it sounds like there may be some concerns about contamination of the wound sites, and a lack of bleeding out. I decided I just don’t have time tonight to tackle it.

I noticed that the crele (mine anyway) have pale legs instead of grey, like my partridge. I’ve been assuming that’s from the barring gene. I know the Ameraucana people have trouble keeping slate legs when they introduce barring.

Their eggs are nice and dark though. Well, two are. The others are either not laying yet, or laying a lighter brown. I sure hope the dead one wasn’t one of the darkest egg ones. My Partridge lay nice and dark too. I’d like to try Wheaten next if I can find any.

Thank you! I’m sorry about the hawk. Thats interesting about the barring gene affecting grey legs. To eat, I don’t bleed them any more, prefer the gamy taste. Would think any contamination concerns come from failing to remove the crop and gall bladder? Removing the digestive tract is the most difficult part, right? If you don't dry pluck, you dip them in boiling water? And pat them dry, coat them with salt, refrigerate for up to a week, then spatchcock roast til 165 degrees F in the breast? Then simmer overnight for broth?

 

[JCaseyHammond]

Or not. It’s a deeply personal choice what you do, please don’t be offended. *edited because off topic

 

[Finnie]

. To eat, I don’t bleed them any more, prefer the gamy taste. Would think any contamination concerns come from failing to remove the crop and gall bladder? Removing the digestive tract is the most difficult part, right? If you don't dry pluck, you dip them in boiling water? And pat them dry, coat them with salt, refrigerate for up to a week, then spatchcock roast til 165 degrees F in the breast? Then simmer overnight for broth?

Those all sound great, except the gamey taste part. I don’t think I would care for that. I’m a little bummed that I didn’t have time to do any of that last night.

Or not. It’s a deeply personal choice what you do, please don’t be offended. *edited because off topic

Hm, now I’m wondering what off-topic stuff got edited out. Not offended one the least, I’m sure.