Barnevelder breeders lets work together and improve the breed

[tls_ranch]

A broody Welsummer is rare! congrats...that's kind of like a leghorn going broody LOL.
My girl was off the nest this morning, but still walking around all puffed up and growling. She's just not completely committed yet. I'll give her some pure barnie eggs to hatch once she does stick to the nest.

My bator's fan is starting to make a funny sound I think I over worked it this year LOL. If I can get a few girls to set then I'll be happy Besides, it's hard to regulate brooder temps when it's 90+ during the day and 60 at night for the little chicks. I guess my next improvement will be a brooder light that's hooked up to a thermostat. But, I'd rather let a momma hen do the work.

My arms, back and legs are so sore

We worked outside for the last week+ trenching water lines everywhere inculding down to the coop, garden and berry patch. YAY, no more hauling water twice a day to the coop way down a hill because now I have autowater cups for both pens

We need to add at least 2 more cups, but so far the hens like it and so do I!


DH also built a handy feeder for outside in the pens. Just to give the hens a chance to snack without having to go back in the coop to the main feeder. See the "pump house" in the left side of the pic? We trenched from there down the hill to the coop. Lot's of work, but it was worth it to have water right at the coop

 

[Happy Chooks]

Looks really nice Trisha!!!! And your run is nicely shaded. For a brooder, get an Ecoglow. A friend gifted me mine and I'll never go back to heat lamps. And it uses a TON less power!

My broody wellie bit me today when I checked under her for eggs, so she's more determined every day! She'll get eggs tomorrow morning.

 

[Tailfeathers]

I have a broody too, Trisha.................believe it or not, a welsummer. (they are not a broody breed) She's serious about it too, so I'm giving her a bunch of barnie eggs tomorrow.

I betcha she'd take those eggs.

I've had a few broody Welsummers in past years but they never did any good. They'd sit for awhile and then they'd get off the nest and forget to go back on. I got rid of all those and since I've got a Sportsman, I want my girls to keep laying and have intentionally culled any Wellies that went broody. Haven't had any in a couple years now.

Some folks like broodiness in a bird and if that's you HC, I hope she turns out well for you. I imagine there are lots of folks who would enjoy a broody Welsummer.

God Bless,

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:

I'm aware they don't usually make good broodies/mothers, which is why I haven't given her any eggs until now. (she's been at it over a week now) Since she has decided to be serious about it, I have not seen her off the nest at all.

She's darn serious about it, so I'll let her try and see how she does. It's not a trait I'll specifically breed for, but I don't mind having broodies around here. (I prefer them to do the work) If she doesn't work out, I have my incubator and a brooder available for the chicks. If she doesn't work out though, she will not be allowed to sit again.

 

[willowbranchfarm]

To all you barnevelder experts. I have been wanting some barnevelders so I did some research and I read that they catch mareks more often then other breeds. Is that true?? Have y'all ever had any trouble with it?? I don't want it contaminate my other flock of chickens and when the barnevelders are older I will put them all together. Thanks for you help.

 

[tls_ranch]

To all you barnevelder experts. I have been wanting some barnevelders so I did some research and I read that they catch mareks more often then other breeds. Is that true?? Have y'all ever had any trouble with it?? I don't want it contaminate my other flock of chickens and when the barnevelders are older I will put them all together. Thanks for you help.

Yes, it is said that Barnevelders can be more susceptible to Mareks, but many other common breeds will catch the disease too. Barnevelders MIGHT be some of the first ones to die or show symptoms, but that doesn't mean THEY brought the disease to your flock. More than likely, a person would bring home a carrier bird by trading, buy/selling birds from multiple sources. Infected birds can carry the disease and shed it with no symptoms. Day-old chicks from hatcheries or hatching eggs are a safer bet.

If you don't have Mareks already, then practice "bio-security"....that means NO started birds from outside sources. Mareks will not spread via egg, but if hatching eggs are dirty and covered with dander the disease will "hitch a ride" and could infect the chicks later on. It may be a good idea to wash hatching eggs if you are not sure their source is free of disease.

If you do have or end up with Mareks, vaccinate your day-old chicks and quarentine them so they can build immunity before exposure to the disease. One note of caution here.... some birds vaccinated for Mareks can still carry and spread the disease, but not show symptoms.

I have never had a problem with Mareks with my Barnevelders.

Trisha

 

[willowbranchfarm]

Thank you. I am still debating getting some. But if I did when should I introduce them to my flock?? At what age??

Yes, it is said that Barnevelders can be more susceptible to Mareks, but many other common breeds will catch the disease too. Barnevelders MIGHT be some of the first ones to die or show symptoms, but that doesn't mean THEY brought the disease to your flock. More than likely, a person would bring home a carrier bird by trading, buy/selling birds from multiple sources. Infected birds can carry the disease and shed it with no symptoms. Day-old chicks from hatcheries or hatching eggs are a safer bet.

If you don't have Mareks already, then practice "bio-security"....that means NO started birds from outside sources. Mareks will not spread via egg, but if hatching eggs are dirty and covered with dander the disease will "hitch a ride" and could infect the chicks later on. It may be a good idea to wash hatching eggs if you are not sure their source is free of disease.

If you do have or end up with Mareks, vaccinate your day-old chicks and quarentine them so they can build immunity before exposure to the disease. One note of caution here.... some birds vaccinated for Mareks can still carry and spread the disease, but not show symptoms.

I have never had a problem with Mareks with my Barnevelders.

Trisha

 

[tls_ranch]

You could get Mareks pre-vaccinated day-old chicks from commercial hatcheries. Some breeders will also vaccinate if requested. Or, you yourself could vaccinated unexposed birds/chicks prior to introducing them to your flock. If vaccinated at any age (day-old is best), allow for a few weeks for immunity to develop before introducing or any exposure to the general population. It's like if you just got the flu shot and had someone sick sneeze in your face the same day...most likely you'll get the flu anyway. The vaccine only prevents the bird from developing symptoms such as cancer (main cause of death), but may not prevent the spread of the disease.

If your current birds are free from Mareks I don't think you'll have a problem. I would only vaccinate if you think you already have or had Mareks on your property or will encounter Mareks...such as showing, trading, or have a neighbor/friend with sick birds.

Trisha

 

[BlueCamas]

I have a question about my Bantam Barnevelder cockerel. I was looking at him the other day and saw this! Is this what you call a side sprig?

 

[willowbranchfarm]

Thank you so much this was really helpful. I haven't ever had any illness in my flock except once but it was just egg binging and the hen is fine. So does that mean its ok not to get the vaccination??

You could get Mareks pre-vaccinated day-old chicks from commercial hatcheries. Some breeders will also vaccinate if requested. Or, you yourself could vaccinated unexposed birds/chicks prior to introducing them to your flock. If vaccinated at any age (day-old is best), allow for a few weeks for immunity to develop before introducing or any exposure to the general population. It's like if you just got the flu shot and had someone sick sneeze in your face the same day...most likely you'll get the flu anyway. The vaccine only prevents the bird from developing symptoms such as cancer (main cause of death), but may not prevent the spread of the disease.

If your current birds are free from Mareks I don't think you'll have a problem. I would only vaccinate if you think you already have or had Mareks on your property or will encounter Mareks...such as showing, trading, or have a neighbor/friend with sick birds.

Trisha