Barbu de Watermael Chickens

[lisa69]

They are here

 

[PHquail]

Beautiful birds! I fell in love with the Belgians with my flock of Mille Fleur Barbu's from Ideal Poultry. I have 2 shipments of 6 on different dates coming from Greenfire. The Milles are so friendly and personable. Only my "Alpha" rooster is a jerk, but he is protecting his girls. He gets carried like a football time to time to remind him who pays rent.

Do you have any tips with this breed, and how have yours colored out as they have grown? Are they identifiable at a young age via their comb like Mille Fleur D'uccles?

 

[lisa69]

i have to get updated pics. this is one rooster. I keep them in a flight cage. Hubby says I can't put them out with the other chickens. lol.

 

[PHquail]

They have aged very well! My first run arrived healthy and alert, they are more flighty and cautious than any other chicks I have raised, which is strange. I have One yellow head which is looking to be a very pretty bird, one Brown head, and the rest seem like they will turn out like your chicks color.

 

[lisa69]

does anyone know which rooster is more correct. Greenfire quail colored

 

[lisa69]

These are my Greenfire Quail colored pullets

 

[lisa69]

I have hatched eggs from My watermaels already. How do you feed these tiny chicks

 

[PHquail]

I have hatched eggs from My watermaels already. How do you feed these tiny chicks

I have kept and hatched quail many times in the past. Even the tiny quail can pick through the dust/chunks of starter feed and eat what they need. With quail I used to blend the feed, until I learned they can pick what they need.

I would lightly blend a half cup of feed, and keep the chicks on paper towel the first week. I spread the feed across the paper towel so they have full access. Water is via a bottle with quail or chicken attachment with marbles. After week one, they go directly to pine shavings. The waterer goes onto a plate flipped upside down, to keep them from shoving shavings in non-stop. Feed is in a long tray. I keep the top off of the auto-feeder so they don't get stuck in it, until they are older.

 

[PHquail]

I have hatched eggs from My watermaels already. How do you feed these tiny chicks

My Greenfire chicks so far. 8 roosters 5 pullets, not all in picture. Need to get roosters homes soon, they are getting sassy.