A Bielefelder Thread !

[Cody A]

I apologize if my post came across as if I was suggesting "mismanagement". That was not my intent. I was merely trying to point out that it can be easily rectified through changes in management to keep the birds alive and healthy...whether by filing the beaks a single time or offering something like a seed block that may tempt them sufficiently to help them wear their beaks down naturally.

As far as breeding is concerned, having not experienced this problem myself, I can only share what I've heard others say, which is usually the suggestion of a "slow learner", a trait many chose not to risk perpetuating but others aren't bothered by. I've never come across anything in my research and reading to suggest that this is some sort of genetic defect in and of itself, but merely one of behavior. Whether or not to breed these birds is, as far as I know, a personal choice.

Not to throw the thread off but cross beak can be a genetic defect and other beak deformities. I don't see why this isn't either. As I stated before these birds had longer beaks than the others when they were small chicks. I know for sure that one of them hatched from a pullet egg. Anyway

... I looked closely at them today and it looks like I can only trim about an 1/8" off before I get into the sensitive area. I'm a bit afraid to try.

 

[opossum04]

I just discovered the existence of the Bielefelder breed this Saturday when looking at eBay egg auctions. I got very excited since my family came from towns near Bielefeld in Germany. In fact, my cousin is on the Bielefeld police force!

And then everything I've read about the breed sounds so good. I've put in a bid on an eBay auction but don't have much confidence the price will stay within my price range. I'm hoping to perhaps make some kind of a trade with a breeder for some hatching eggs.

I may be interested in trading a set of eggs. What do you have? And I have eggs on eBay now so you can see my breeders. They are the only auction for 18 eggs from Louisiana.

 

[Odelia]

Not to throw the thread off but cross beak can be a genetic defect and other beak deformities. I don't see why this isn't either. As I stated before these birds had longer beaks than the others when they were small chicks. I know for sure that one of them hatched from a pullet egg. Anyway

... I looked closely at them today and it looks like I can only trim about an 1/8" off before I get into the sensitive area. I'm a bit afraid to try.

Trim and sand as much as you can. If you don't they will starve. If the upper beaks still don't match make sure you don't breed them. You won't really know if this is a genetic issue or not until you treat the symptom. I would guess that the lower beak isn't as long as it should be.

 

[hereorthere]

They have a wide color range. Mine go from a light pinky brown to a dark brown that matches my lighter marans eggs.

You mean from one hen? Within her egg cycle?

Or all your hens within the flock?

 

[RFR of CA]

No in all of my flock there is a very wide range of color. I don't know if they change individually

 

[Ron Skekel]

Something else that concerns me about this breed is that they're 7 weeks and extremely scared to leave the coop. Right now they really only venture out into the run early in the morning and late in the evening. If a fly farts they run back inside. I'm new to chickens and this is my second breed to raise. The first were barred rocks, by 8 weeks they were out and about. Crows scare these Bieles back inside. The rocks got used to the crows and vultures quickly and could differentiate between a crow/vulture/hawk. I'm wondering since these are a German breed are their instincts not used to American birds and bird calls. If a crow calls and is not even in sight of the bieles they run for cover back to the coop. Every review I've read says they're great free range birds. Is there anyone on this thread that is actually free ranging them as in truly turning them out to a pasture and letting them forage and fend for themselves with free access to the coop and come and go as they please?

These birds may be to young to be brave enough to roam. Hopefully someone can give me some insight.

I do cody and they venture far from the coop sometimes I have to go get them because they go to far in the neighbors property instead of the pasture and woods. I will say when the roo was young he would run from other hens and roos but not anymore. I have a juvinal trio that are dying to get out the run they are from my Dec 10 hatch.Pam

 

[Jtabor1387]

Mrs. Pam what year import did your birds derive from. I checked greenfires website they had a 2011 and a 2013 import.

 

[Ron Skekel]

Mrs. Pam what year import did your birds derive from. I checked greenfires website they had a 2011 and a 2013 import.

2013

 

[Dull Hoe Farm]

My Biels are now 2 weeks old, have nearly fully feathered wings, and have been working on leaving the brooder and perching on the edge of it since 1 1/2 weeks old. That's far sooner than any of my other breeds had started. Bosch - cockerel Brom - cockerel Gidget - pullet Gretel - pullet Hansel - cockerel John Galt - cockerel Rearden - cockerel Taggart - cockerel Zoey - pullet

John Galt. That's hilarious. Someone's been watching Atlas Shrugged.

 

[Dull Hoe Farm]

Does anyone know of a source to order barley seed for fodder? I'm finding it difficult to locate locally.