A Bielefelder Thread !

[Cody A]

Rippy, they're definitely sprigs. I do have some with clean combs.

Pullet example:

Cockerel example:



Twisted and lopped comb:

 

[Mrs. K]

Getting more is going to be difficult. I got the roo, because the breeder ordered a dozen eggs, 4 hatched and all were roos.

We will see how it goes.

Mrs K

 

[DMRippy]

Rippy, they're definitely sprigs. I do have some with clean combs.

Pullet example:

This pullet has carnation comb

Cockerel example:

Carnation Comb



I can't tell what this is..... looks like a point flopped over?


Twisted and lopped comb: You can fix this. It is OK in most Laying hens.

 

[mamidei]

My 5 month bielefelder has sour crop. On Saturday her crop was very large and very firm. On Sunday morning it was smaller and I was hopeful. I was disappointed Monday morning when there wasn't any progress. Today her crop is definitely squishy and large. Anyone treat their bielefelder for sour crop before?

 

[kittydoc]

My 5 month bielefelder has sour crop. On Saturday her crop was very large and very firm. On Sunday morning it was smaller and I was hopeful. I was disappointed Monday morning when there wasn't any progress. Today her crop is definitely squishy and large. Anyone treat their bielefelder for sour crop before?

Are you certain it's sour crop (stinky) and not impacted? The treatments are different, so it's important to know which it is. I have a good way to treat crop impaction if you search my ID name and "crop impaction" on the list. Good luck either way!

 

[kittydoc]

Question about the genetics of the sprigs. Has anyone tried to figure out whether it is dominant, recessive, or polygenic in origin?

This discussion had me checking all my Bieles, and they were all OK. However, I also checked 3 English Orp chicks, and tone had a carnation comb and a pullet has what aappears to be a "split blade." Instead of one piece of flesh to the rear, there are two pieces of equal length side-by-side. Anyone seen that and know how it turns out? The chicks are approximately 3 months old.

The male with the carnation is being culled tomorrow if it stops raining here. The pullet will go into our general layer pool (not for breeding). Fortunately, the cockerel I need has a perfectly normal comb.

The hens were purchased in TN. Their combs are all normal. When they got here, I hatched out those three chicks from the previous owner's roo (which I did not handle or see close up). I have a few chicks from these same hens with my roo with a normal comb, and so far their combs are all normal, so I feel that most likely it's coming from the previous owner's roo. I'll definitely keep my eye on everybody's combs.

I do not breed for show, or intend to show, but I like to raise birds that bear at least a general resemblance to the SOP, and which are certainly superior to hatchery birds. I definitely do not want to propagate something that results in an automatic DQ. I used to show cats, so I fully understand what that means. In cats, it's things like kinked tails and extra toes.

 

[kittydoc]

Recently I acquired a Bielefelder rooster. I am quite pleased with him, I live on the SD prairies and he just blends in. As of now, I just have him covering various riff raff chickens. I am waiting for the first chicks to hatch on Thursday. Those chicks will be 50/50 Bielefelder. My plan is to breed him back to these chicks (talk about counting them before they have hatched) and those chicks will be 75/25 Bielefelder. At that time I think I will introduce a fresh rooster.

When are they considered full blood?

Mrs K

You can't ever get to 100% when you start from mixes, but as you go from 50% to 75% to 87.5% to 93.75% to 96.875%, I would say you can call it once you're in the 90%+ range. Or do what some others do, and just note the precise percentage, or range as appropriate. I'm doing this with my Orpingtons. I had nice American lavenders to start with, from an excellent line, and decided I'd make my own English version because the English lavs I saw had terrible color. I know that isn't true of all of them, but my buyers aren't worried about the mix (they are, after all, still Orpingtons), but I always make full disclosure. Show people won't want them, but that's not my market anyway.

 

[Mrs. K]

@ Kittydoc

So did you breed father to daughter, then get a new rooster? Or what did you do? I am in your boat, not interested in show, but rather interested in a bird that does well here. I have always perfered the dual purpose breeds, and BO are a favorite of mine too.

I accidentally got a chance to get this Bielefeldre, and I am very pleased with him, his characteristics. I have tried lots of breeds, but always get others. I may now or shortly close my flock.

Mrs K

 

[mamidei]

Are you certain it's sour crop (stinky) and not impacted?  The treatments are different, so it's important to know which it is.  I have a good way to treat crop impaction if you search my ID name and "crop impaction" on the list.  Good luck either way!

It was definitely impacted. I've masaged, isolated her, etc. now it's squishy. It's not overwhelmingly bad smelling. My fear is that the food is beginning to ferment in her crop because I didn't catch the impaction soon enough. Thanks for any help. I keep reading conflicting information about treatment, etc.

 

[DesertChic]

....

I do not breed for show, or intend to show, but I like to raise birds that bear at least a general resemblance to the SOP, and which are certainly superior to hatchery birds. I definitely do not want to propagate something that results in an automatic DQ.

This is the same approach I'm taking with my Biels. My entire family is extremely fond of this breed and I want to do all I can to improve upon the breed, not perpetuate defects or anomalies. I'd like to be able to breed these birds to give others in my area the opportunity to acquire them locally, but I never want to compromise quality in pursuit of the almighty dollar. I'm hoping that Biels will eventually be recognized in this country and by then I may even have some quality birds to show.