A Bielefelder Thread !

[Eggscoozme]

I'm raising my first Biels (2 cockerels, 6 pullets). These are the largest breed I have raised, but I'm astonished at their growth rate. They are increasing 60-85% every single week. Is this in line with those of you who have raised multiple chicks?

Yes, Bielefelders are huge feeders. Right now I have Christmas and NYD hatches in same brooder, and their difference in size is amazing!

 

[Bridebeliever]

I can't wait to get mine! Getting them probably in April from Unionhill Ranch in California.I'm in Washington and didn't want to order mine all the way from Florida so I chose this breeder. Their original stock came from Greenfire. Sounds like I may do fermented feed for these gals if they eat so much!

 

[losttexan]

Yes, Bielefelders are huge feeders. Right now I have Christmas and NYD hatches in same brooder, and their difference in size is amazing!

Well, I'm not seeing any gait/joint/breast issues. Other than one being an incessant complainer, they all seem in good heath. They aren't Cornish/rock crosses, so they won't convert feed at that monstrous rate, but I wonder if I should continue to allow them to free feed. They are on a complete flock feed (20% protein), and I don't want to run into problems.

 

[Eggscoozme]

Just got an email from Greenfire. They are giving 20% off chicks until the 16th.

My starter Biel flock came from GFF. What I received was a cockerel with one very short wattle on one side, and some white in it's tail (once it matured you could see it). Three of the 4 hens I received, well, don't look like Biels. They have HUGE combs, and white earlobes. This is the 2nd disappointment I've had from them. The 1st was my CLB flock that didn't produce 1 blue egg. ALL green. ( In light of my experience with GFF, I cannot recommend them sorry to say. I might have 1 Biel hen that looks standard. I'm culling, and hatching eggs from other Biel flock holders instead of paying premium for disappointment.

 

[DesertChic]

I'm raising my first Biels (2 cockerels, 6 pullets). These are the largest breed I have raised, but I'm astonished at their growth rate. They are increasing 60-85% every single week. Is this in line with those of you who have raised multiple chicks?

They do grow incredibly fast. Mine didn't slow down until about 4 weeks, at which time their weekly growth rate was "only" around 50%, LOL. They maintained that pace until around 7 weeks, at which time they dropped down to between 20-30%.

 

[DesertChic]

I am thrilled to report that at least one of my Biel girls has FINALLY begun to lay eggs again.

About four days ago a couple of my cockerels suddenly began showing interest in my Biel girls so I knew the eggs would arrive soon. The first target of their affections was Gidget, the girl who had originally laid eggs way back in August before stopping completely in September. Precisely one day after I caught my Ameraucana mix mounting her, she proceeded to settle into one of the nesting boxes I'd built next to her good friend, Dolly, one of my White Rocks. They two girls laid side by side quietly, sang their "I just laid an egg" songs together, and exited the pen together looking very proud of themselves as they made their way to a group dust bathing session. When I went in to collect the eggs I found a lovely brown egg left by Dolly, and absolutely nothing from Gidget. What a tease!!!

I guess she just needed the dress rehearsal because the following night she left me a massive torpedo egg...but in complete silence. I have stealth-laying Bielefelder chickens!

 

[jbkirk]

I have not seen the springs on my birds but BOTH the springs and white feathers are genetic so as with any breed we just have to cull and make it better. You can work with springs but you really have to cull hard the next generation. I am fighting it in my Cuckoo Marans pens now. No body is expressing it in the breeding pen but it is popping up.... then I had a racoon attack that kill most of them so I have to work with what I have for now.

Are white feathers recessive or dominant? Does the gene show itself in hens? If their recessive I'm in TROUBLE, ALL my roosters have white feathers.

 

[Bridebeliever]

I live in Whatcom also jb! I'll be getting Biels in April! So they do well in our climate?

 

[jbkirk]

I live in Whatcom also jb! I'll be getting Biels in April! So they do well in our climate?

So far they have. They started laying a week and a half ago and I've gotten a egg almost every day without lights.

 

[stryker]

I live in Whatcom also jb! I'll be getting Biels in April! So they do well in our climate?

Everytime I think of Biels I picture a rosecomb or peacomb on them. It might be how their body type is that makes me picture them without the single comb.