A Bielefelder Thread !

[Red Banks]

I am excited to announce the hatch of two Bielefelder chiicks (pullets) in the incubator - hopefully Buffy will also have some hatching in the nest.

Yeah!

 

[DesertChic]

I haven't heard of a bad one yet!

This is true. Of the six I'd hatched, one was a little nervous, but never aggressive, and another developed a habit of demanding too much attention by pecking at our legs in request of being picked up and cuddled. If that's the worst anyone can say about a rooster, that's pretty darn good!

 

[Bridebeliever]

I'm so excited to get a nice BIG Roo! As nice as they are, are they still good protectors of their flock?

I'm also wondering because of the temperament of this breed, are they going to get picked on by my mixed flock?

 

[DesertChic]

I'm so excited to get a nice BIG Roo! As nice as they are, are they still good protectors of their flock?

I'm also wondering because of the temperament of this breed, are they going to get picked on by my mixed flock?

My Biel roosters are outstanding protectors! Because of their temperament I've found them to be exceptional at coordinating their efforts with other roosters, even other breeds, to offer the girls as much protection as possible.

And as far as their ability to hold their own....they can. I currently have a total of 7 free-range rooster + 2 free-range young cockerels all interacting with all of my 32 free-ranging hens. The boys fight occasionally to establish their pecking order...and sometimes to re-establish it...and my Biels consistently remain towards the top. Recently my 11-lb NN Turken has dominated my top Beil rooster, but not the 2nd in command Biel rooster. It's an interesting dynamic to watch unfold. And each rooster will have his favorite girls over which he'll be extra protective, but among my Biel roosters I've noticed something incredibly unique....they back one another up. Maybe it's because they were raised together, maybe it's because they're housed together...but my Biel boys will protect one anothers' favorite girls from advances from "outside" roosters. None of my other boys do this.

 

[Candy442]

Importing hatching eggs I think would be the best route for the same reason. Imports from Canada also have less red tape to cut through.

Cool, we are right next to Canada and in a very cool climate

 

[Saris]

Cool, we are right next to Canada and in a very cool climate

Do you feel like you'd be up to trying to import eggs? There are a few people here who would all pitch in to cover costs and whatnot for first dibs on future eggs or chicks I think?

 

[Candy442]

Do you feel like you'd be up to trying to import eggs? There are a few people here who would all pitch in to cover costs and whatnot for first dibs on future eggs or chicks I think?

I will talk with the DH and see what he thinks and let everyone know.

 

[bluejean55girl]

Do you feel like you'd be up to trying to import eggs? There are a few people here who would all pitch in to cover costs and whatnot for first dibs on future eggs or chicks I think?

newbie question here... I totally agree that someone close to the border would be ideal for importing.

but do we need a second step (at a later date) in locating some birds further south to help with acclimating the canadian imports to a warmer climate?

or does it matter? If after import, sometime down the road, eggs are shipped to say maybe texas (for example). how long (generations) might it take to get the biels to adapt? without outcrossing?

(outcrossing would make the adaption go faster I would think) @desertchick you are experimenting with this part I believe?

 

[Bridebeliever]

What part of Canada are you all referring to? Which ones are in Canada? I live about 20 minutes from the Canadian border on the west coast (British Columbia).

 

[bluejean55girl]

I will talk with the DH and see what he thinks and let everyone know.

awesome!