A Bielefelder Thread !

[Coop de Grass]

Thank you all. She sure has a sweet disposition already. Very calm. Will have to come on and watch for other photos and info. And, post some of her as she grows. New breed for me..I've read up on a lot of the posts here. Learned a lot. Was interested in the egg laying. Sounds like they are a pretty good sized bird. Looking forward to the big eggs that I am reading about on here too.
Also, good to read that they are good winter birds..we get some hard winters here.

Just an FYI that my two Bielefelder hens started laying much later than the other hens. I got them at the same time, and the same age in June 2015. Most of the flock was laying by October. One of the Bieles started laying in December and the other took her sweet time and didn't start until the end of January!

I think it might have something to do with size of the bird, but I'm not sure. Their eggs are much larger, and they really are sweet. Now I feel like I'm playing favorites! All my girls are sweet!

 

[bluejean55girl]

Just an FYI that my two Bielefelder hens started laying much later than the other hens. I got them at the same time, and the same age in June 2015. Most of the flock was laying by October. One of the Bieles started laying in December and the other took her sweet time and didn't start until the end of January!

I think it might have something to do with size of the bird, but I'm not sure. Their eggs are much larger, and they really are sweet. Now I feel like I'm playing favorites! All my girls are sweet!

maybe part of that is the later June hatching?

 

[DesertChic]

Just an FYI that my two Bielefelder hens started laying much later than the other hens. I got them at the same time, and the same age in June 2015. Most of the flock was laying by October. One of the Bieles started laying in December and the other took her sweet time and didn't start until the end of January!

I think it might have something to do with size of the bird, but I'm not sure. Their eggs are much larger, and they really are sweet. Now I feel like I'm playing favorites! All my girls are sweet!

maybe part of that is the later June hatching?

My Biel girls were the absolute LAST to start laying. They took 44 weeks to reach POL. Luckily my Biel crosses are proving much more prolific earlier on. My Biel/Australorp cross reached POL at 26 weeks and is a really large girl, but sweet, and my Bielkies (Biel/Silkie) reached POL by 23 weeks. I'm curious about how my NN/Biel crosses will turn out. So far, my little Gypsy girl is hands-down the friendliest pullet I've ever hatched. That little girl will easily fly 15 feet to reach me and would spend the whole day roosting on my shoulder or arm if I let her.

 

[bluejean55girl]

My Biel girls were the absolute LAST to start laying. They took 44 weeks to reach POL. Luckily my Biel crosses are proving much more prolific earlier on. My Biel/Australorp cross reached POL at 26 weeks and is a really large girl, but sweet, and my Bielkies (Biel/Silkie) reached POL by 23 weeks. I'm curious about how my NN/Biel crosses will turn out. So far, my little Gypsy girl is hands-down the friendliest pullet I've ever hatched. That little girl will easily fly 15 feet to reach me and would spend the whole day roosting on my shoulder or arm if I let her. 

my older Biel's and about 3 of my SFH will happily sit on me. So funny to hear them chattering.

 

[bluejean55girl]

My Biel girls were the absolute LAST to start laying. They took 44 weeks to reach POL. Luckily my Biel crosses are proving much more prolific earlier on. My Biel/Australorp cross reached POL at 26 weeks and is a really large girl, but sweet, and my Bielkies (Biel/Silkie) reached POL by 23 weeks. I'm curious about how my NN/Biel crosses will turn out. So far, my little Gypsy girl is hands-down the friendliest pullet I've ever hatched. That little girl will easily fly 15 feet to reach me and would spend the whole day roosting on my shoulder or arm if I let her. 

yep Biel's are late to start cause they are are bigger bird. But seem to recollect reading old breeding books that the later in the season for hatching puts them even later in age for laying also?

 

[Red Banks]

yep Biel's are late to start cause they are are bigger bird. But seem to recollect reading old breeding books that the later in the season for hatching puts them even later in age for laying also?

My Biels were laying at 26 weeks. They are 28 weeks now and some of those pullet eggs are huge and of course some are very small. I was wondering if anyone can tell me about confining roosters together in a pen.

 

[DesertChic]

My Biels were laying at 26 weeks. They are 28 weeks now and some of those pullet eggs are huge and of course some are very small. I was wondering if anyone can tell me about confining roosters together in a pen.

It's easier to do when they've grown up together, but still works even when they've been reared separately. I've had the best luck with 3 or more and plenty of roosting and floor space.

 

[Red Banks]

It's easier to do when they've grown up together, but still works even when they've been reared separately. I've had the best luck with 3 or more and plenty of roosting and floor space.

Thanks DesertChic..... I have three roosters, Cream Legbar, Ameraucana and Bielefelder. They have been raised together more or less, they have come as chicks at different times. The Cream Legbar and the Biel have started to fight, the Am is the boss. I don't see the need to run these roos with the hens 24/7. I just got a coop 5x8 that would hold them nicely. Will they fret themselves sick or will that subside after a few days. With horses, stallions that run in a bachelor herd learn to get along as long as no mares are around but these roosters will always be able to see the hens. I could rehome the Ameraucana since I have some young cockerels coming along. He has been such a good flock master. I am at a tough place, trying to find a direction.

 

[DesertChic]

Thanks DesertChic..... I have three roosters, Cream Legbar, Ameraucana and Bielefelder. They have been raised together more or less, they have come as chicks at different times. The Cream Legbar and the Biel have started to fight, the Am is the boss. I don't see the need to run these roos with the hens 24/7. I just got a coop 5x8 that would hold them nicely. Will they fret themselves sick or will that subside after a few days. With horses, stallions that run in a bachelor herd learn to get along as long as no mares are around but these roosters will always be able to see the hens. I could rehome the Ameraucana since I have some young cockerels coming along. He has been such a good flock master. I am at a tough place, trying to find a direction.

It will definitely take them a few days to adjust if they're accustomed to roaming free, but they WILL adjust. And yes, they're likely to be a bit more rambunctious if they can see the girls than if they can't but given the breeds you mentioned I doubt there will be any serious problems.

One funny about my "frat house": I decided to give by six bachelors some fresh kale as a treat. For several minutes they all stood over the kale, picking it up and putting it down while clucking loudly to invite the girls to join them for a treat, but all of the girls were free-ranging on the other side of the yard. I kinda felt sorry for those guys. After a while they actually started offering the kale to one another. I could just hear this comical conversation going through my head, "Please, you go first. No, no...you! No, really, I insist." LOL!

 

[Red Banks]

It will definitely take them a few days to adjust if they're accustomed to roaming free, but they WILL adjust. And yes, they're likely to be a bit more rambunctious if they can see the girls than if they can't but given the breeds you mentioned I doubt there will be any serious problems.

One funny about my "frat house": I decided to give by six bachelors some fresh kale as a treat. For several minutes they all stood over the kale, picking it up and putting it down while clucking loudly to invite the girls to join them for a treat, but all of the girls were free-ranging on the other side of the yard. I kinda felt sorry for those guys. After a while they actually started offering the kale to one another. I could just hear this comical conversation going through my head, "Please, you go first. No, no...you! No, really, I insist." LOL!

Thanks. DesertChic. It helps to know what to expect. There is a lot less angst when you know how it will play out instead of worrying every minute what if this and what if that. Poor roosters they have a good life when it is good but it is so often not good and not long.