A Bielefelder Thread !

[otakalhasas]

Two days ago I had 5 roosters. Head honcho is a black Ameraucana (1 yr). Next in the pecking order were 3 CLs (6 mo) and then the Biel (6 mo). I have 35 hens, BCM, BBS Marans, Ameraucanas, Biels and CLs. I rehomed 2 CL roosters and life is much more peaceful. I should have done it sooner but I was trying to let the CLs mature so I could pick the one I liked best. So 3 roosters with my flock. My Biels have their own coop so they stay together (Yes..... Desert Chick, they still prefer the porch) but they get along with everyone. They are being a little tough on the 8 week olds but no more than a dash at them to run them away from the feeder. Don't get between a Biel and the feeder. I have over 60 new chicks that I will introduce as they reach 8 weeks, I just put the BCM 8 week olds in with the flock last week. I am not including them in the mature flock count for this post. They are learning the ropes and the big birds have been tolerant, even when those babies are roosting on their backs. I like the Marans the best but not for any really good reason. All the hens I have are nice. I have BBS Marans that lay almost every day like clockwork. I have Ameraucanas that do too. The CLs (13 pullets) are just now getting into the swing of things and I am getting lots of little blue/green eggs. They are small birds (they like to forage) and will probably be very productive. The Biels are not laying yet. Everyone gets along but they free range on a big property. I have seen my birds out in the fields spread out over a couple of acres and they love to spend the mornings and late evenings in the woods.

Geeze, Louise! That sounds like chicken paradise!!!!!! What a great place to live (human and avian alike!)!!!

 

[otakalhasas]

Okay, here goes folks, my first attempt at attaching photos! Thanks RedBanks for the quick tutorial!!!!

Here's my four month old Biels (2 pullets - Big Bertha and Bouncing Betty (from M*A*S*H) and 1 cockerel - Jeremy (from the son on "Zits" comic Strip). The girls are very interactive, Jeremy is "pacing himself" socially - curious but not a hands on kinda guy!

.

Now that I know how to upload photos (thanks again, RedBanks!) I'll get some better photos of the crew!

 

[Red Banks]

Okay, here goes folks, my first attempt at attaching photos! Thanks RedBanks for the quick tutorial!!!!

Here's my four month old Biels (2 pullets - Big Bertha and Bouncing Betty (from M*A*S*H) and 1 cockerel - Jeremy (from the son on "Zits" comic Strip). The girls are very interactive, Jeremy is "pacing himself" socially - curious but not a hands on kinda guy!

.

Now that I know how to upload photos (thanks again, RedBanks!) I'll get some better photos of the crew!

Good Job Dana! Beautiful Biels!

 

[otakalhasas]

Whoa, boy, we are in trouble now! I think I've got a handle on importing photos so here's more of my Fantastic Trio of Biels!

Jeremy (4 months old)



Jeremy, Big Bertha, Bouncing Betty (the girls are such a hoot!)



The rest of the crew (all black hens are BCMs)

First attempt at strawberry bags - makes a nice photo with the Biels!

 

[pliles]

Bielefelders are basically Welsumers with sexlinked barring. Are they in the US?

yes. I have a young flock in North Carolina.

 

[DesertChic]

I completed weights and measures on my latest hatch and I'm thrilled with the results so far. I'm certain now that I've got two Biel mixes, not one.

Gypsy: Not feeling very cooperative during this photo session so I didn't get a great shot, but you can still see how much she's feathered out.



And this is my Biel/Aussie mix, no name yet since I'm not positive of the gender, but I think it might be a pullet.

 

[otakalhasas]

I completed weights and measures on my latest hatch and I'm thrilled with the results so far. I'm certain now that I've got two Biel mixes, not one.

Gypsy: Not feeling very cooperative during this photo session so I didn't get a great shot, but you can still see how much she's feathered out.



And this is my Biel/Aussie mix, no name yet since I'm not positive of the gender, but I think it might be a pullet.

Wow, they surely are beauties! Keep the photos coming as I've got an Aussie who will most probably be bred by my Biel. Quick question to EVERYBODY who bands their chicks!!!!! If you are not supposed to lift the cover of the incubator while the hatch is going on, how do you tell which is which? My problem - 13 eggs (one has already pipped) are due to hatch tomorrow. The roo is the same (splash copper marans) but the hens are either a splash or one of three black copper marans. The splash I should be able to tell as the chicks will be light, but I'd like to keep track of the others to see what each hen is throwing chickwise. When should I pull them to band them so I can tell which egg they came from? HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DesertChic]

Wow, they surely are beauties! Keep the photos coming as I've got an Aussie who will most probably be bred by my Biel. Quick question to EVERYBODY who bands their chicks!!!!! If you are not supposed to lift the cover of the incubator while the hatch is going on, how do you tell which is which? My problem - 13 eggs (one has already pipped) are due to hatch tomorrow. The roo is the same (splash copper marans) but the hens are either a splash or one of three black copper marans. The splash I should be able to tell as the chicks will be light, but I'd like to keep track of the others to see what each hen is throwing chickwise. When should I pull them to band them so I can tell which egg they came from? HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You're going to hate my answer, but I managed to witness every single egg that hatched this last time, making it easy for me to tell.

I also often remove my chicks from the incubator if they've been in there a while and have at least partially fluffed up. I find that my chicks do better when I do this rather than leaving them in the incubator to knock around the eggs. I also tend to get better hatches overall if I removed hatched chicks.

 

[otakalhasas]

You're going to hate my answer, but I managed to witness every single egg that hatched this last time, making it easy for me to tell.

I also often remove my chicks from the incubator if they've been in there a while and have at least partially fluffed up. I find that my chicks do better when I do this rather than leaving them in the incubator to knock around the eggs. I also tend to get better hatches overall if I removed hatched chicks.

Thanks for the tips. Okay, then, it seems I'm just going to have to (forgive me, I just have to say it!) "wing it"!!!!!!!!

 

[hellbender]

You're going to hate my answer, but I managed to witness every single egg that hatched this last time, making it easy for me to tell.

I also often remove my chicks from the incubator if they've been in there a while and have at least partially fluffed up. I find that my chicks do better when I do this rather than leaving them in the incubator to knock around the eggs. I also tend to get better hatches overall if I removed hatched chicks.

Nice chicks...I may have to claim a couple of them...also, I bought those numerals from Linda...might wanna' give 'em a hard look. They really are easy to deal with.