Beaker update

[ChickenCanoe]

Do Ideal, Cackle and all these other large hatcheries, have their own breeder flocks? I thought many of them used contract breeders.

 

[FortCluck]

I dont know if Ideal hatchery keeps crossbeaks in their breeding pens, but kinda doubt it? I will say that 2/3 of my original 25 pullets from Ideal hatchery laid blue eggs, & all the rest laid green. They started laying at 19/20 weeks, & by 24 weeks all were laying. They were also excellent layers: 6-7 eggs per week their first year. Several of those original pullets went broody at 7/8 months, & their progeny have continued with excellent lay rates and egg size. (Crossbeak issue DId show up in the f1 generation). I still have most of those original Ideal hens. At age 6+ they remain very healthy, continue to hatch chicks every year including 2020, & i still ocassionally see them in the nest boxes. (How often they now lay idk since they are in a flock with 200+ hens. But they earned their keep and the right to live out their happy chicken lives.) Anyway, yeah the crossbeak issue is "there". But after reading that many easter eggers begin laying late, lay 3/4 eggs weekly tops, & egg sizes are on the smallish side, i feel like i did well getting the Ideal easter eggers. I would estimate the ratio of easter egger crossbeaks hatched has been 1crossbeak out of every 75 chicks. I hope that with some extra attention and care, your little chick thrives and gives you beautiful eggs.

Hopefully they’ll be green and blue layers. I have 3 others but no beak defects

 

[FortCluck]

Do Ideal, Cackle and all these other large hatcheries, have their own breeder flocks? I thought many of them used contract breeders.

I have no idea. This is the first time I’ve ever ordered chicks so I’m not really familiar with all the ins and outs. I usually hatch my own chicks and everyone buys my crosses because they’re so unique.

 

[FortCluck]

Unfortunately Beaker died the day after she got her beak done, I believe that it was too much on her. I guess I will not be making that decision in the future if I ever have a scissor beak chick again.

 

[SulkyBantam]

Yes. Please just leave them next time.

I'm so sorry.

 

[FortCluck]

Yes. Please just leave them next time.

I'm so sorry.

Usually I just cull them the instant I see scissor beak since I am a breeder and do not want genetic defects introduced into my flock. Sometimes I grow them out then use them for food for the dogs. And sometimes I just keep them because they have the personality trait that I like.

 

[SulkyBantam]

Ok. Well, my choice would be to make them happy, not kill them because they are imperfect, but obviously breeders have to make different decisions... and I'm kind of soft like that.

 

[FortCluck]

Ok. Well, my choice would be to make them happy, not kill them because they are imperfect, but obviously breeders have to make different decisions... and I'm kind of soft like that.

I butcher chickens for my family. I am soft when it comes to animals but when you are feeding you family it doesn't involve being soft, it has everything to do with not supporting cruelty that most meat in the grocery store comes with. I couldn't buy meat for my family at the grocery store without first knowing what goes behind butchering an animal. My family prefers my chicken over the store... I do not eat meat

My chickens are pets, but when they have a defect that can alter their entire life and prevent them from eating, is where I draw the line. I have over 30 chickens and having one that looks different would mean a lot picking from the flock, but we have plenty of land that a chicken can entertain itself. I was hoping that she would survive.

I give away my eggs to families in need (when they are laying) and honestly the happiness of providing for other families makes up for the feed cost.

 

[SulkyBantam]

I absolutely agree... if your going to eat chicken eat your own.

Mine are pets, really, though I love the eggs, which is why I don't cull. But I support your views.

 

[FortCluck]

I absolutely agree... if your going to eat chicken eat your own.

Mine are pets, really, though I love the eggs, which is why I don't cull. But I support your views.

I wish we had eggs 25+ pullets and hens and none are laying because of the light cycle.

One of of polish death layers are laying green eggs for a customer so I’m hoping that at least one of mine will do the same.

Most of my females are POL. I’m hoping they lay soon!

My dogs love eggs especially the pit we just adopted.