A Bielefelder Thread !

[DCchicken]

We have hatched our first Bielefelders last week from our birds. It was so cool.

Did your Bielefelders do the "I am coming out right now get out of my way!!" Mine screamed their heads off in the shell and then proceeded to tear through the shell like they were on a deadline to get this hatching thing done.

 

[TNBEARCHICK]

Ours were part of a larger hatch, so I am not sure.

 

[plumcreek]

Here is a pic from today. There were five out of the six eggs we set. The last one piped but never hatched.

 

[cutipatooti]

I should be getting some of these chicks this spring. I was going to get six or more as I wanted to hatch out a few next year mostly for myself. I wanted to make sure I only breed the best ones. From what I have been told there is not much variation between them. Knowing that I figured It would be safe just getting one boy and 2 girls. This lets me get more chicks of different breeds in one order that can not be sexed. Do you thing 3 is enough? Should I get 3 more from a different place? if I get more from somewhere else then I have to order even more chicks. I'm at 30 for the place I'm ordering from now. I only want to keep 15 to 20 standard sized birds. I figured I could stick with the order I have now and get more next year. that would give me something to look foward to next year. although I'm looking foward to hatching my first eggs next year. what do you all think?

 

[Dirt Farmer]

I should be getting some of these chicks this spring. I was going to get six or more as I wanted to hatch out a few next year mostly for myself. I wanted to make sure I only breed the best ones. From what I have been told there is not much variation between them. Knowing that I figured It would be safe just getting one boy and 2 girls. This lets me get more chicks of different breeds in one order that can not be sexed. Do you thing 3 is enough? Should I get 3 more from a different place? if I get more from somewhere else then I have to order even more chicks. I'm at 30 for the place I'm ordering from now. I only want to keep 15 to 20 standard sized birds. I figured I could stick with the order I have now and get more next year. that would give me something to look foward to next year. although I'm looking foward to hatching my first eggs next year. what do you all think?

It's always a bit risky going with only one male. I would get two pair, rather than a trio, for insurance.

 

[cutipatooti]

ok I will make sure I get at least one more boy. do you think I should just add another or would it be best to get a few more from another breeder. I plan on selling whoever I decide not to keep. if I also threw in a few more girls I could sell as a group. hopefully they would sell. I just don't want to get stuck with extras. these are too expensive for me to eat straight from the breeder.

 

[ChickCrazed]

Question please! I know everyone has said what eating machines these guys are and it is true. Their crops are so full they look like they are going to tip over! Is there any danger of them overeating or should I just let them have at it!?!?!

 

[Shellz]

I don't have these yet, but I've heard that feeding fermented feed can cut your feed costs. I did this with my birds over the winter - worked great! Keeps them hydrated & full longer, I believe.

 

[ChickenPresence]

Retrieved my first Bielfelder chicks from the Post Office two days ago. They are so sweet, relatively calm and at 4 weeks are as large as my adult
Olandsk Dwarf hens!!

 

[Shellz]

Yowza! Fantastic!