Belgian Malines Have Arrived!!!

[Shellz]

Thought I'd weigh my biggest, almost 10 week old cockerel tonight. He's just over 4 lbs! 1 kg 864 gms. I've never raised large fowl before, but wow! I'm impressed!

 

[theoldchick]

Dang! He's huge!

 

[Gen9]

#161 is so cute LOL!!

That is big for a 10 week old! wow, I can't imagine, but I better get used to the idea if I want to start raising real meat birds! I think I'd need a bigger coop first... working on that LOL!

 

[Shellz]

Yep, I need bigger pop doors.

 

[call ducks]

Shellz - I am very excited at the prospect of adding these next year! - And it's mostly about that fantastic weight gain!

 

[Shellz]

I hope my younger birds will reach that weight by 10 weeks or earlier too! Time will tell.

 

[NanaKat]

I'm sure enjoying following along with the growth of your flock and I'm enjoying the great broody hen pictures.

Still haven't given up on someday finding a source for the Golden Cuckoo Turkey-headed Belgian Malines.

 

[Shellz]

I'm sure enjoying following along with the growth of your flock  and I'm enjoying the great broody hen pictures.

Still haven't given up on someday finding a source for the Golden Cuckoo Turkey-headed Belgian Malines.

Thanks NanaKat! I've heard someone else in Ontario has the turkey-head variety, but wish I knew who! I wasn't aware of a golden cuckoo. Interesting. I think you'll be hard-pressed to find any in any other color besides the regular cuckoo pattern. Single combed birds have come in blacks, whites & Columbian in the past, but these are very rare indeed. I'll ask around about the turkey-head variety.

 

[Our Roost]

I am confused at how many you have now? Older, younger and them babies? Did they all come from Bart and your hatch? I thought you were on vacation? The birds are developing really fast. Are you telling us that yellow beaks and legs is a genetic weakness in this bird strain? How did you find out the standards of practice to be followed when breeding? Is that enough questions for you? Gosh I missed asking you stupid questions.

 

[Shellz]

I love questions! There are no stupid ones, silly! Yeah, in Providence, R.I. right now. Hotel has free wi-fi. Taking a break from shopping.
I have 24 chicks of 3 different age groups. Oldest are just over 10 weeks old - have 7 of those. I have 5 chicks that are 8 weeks old & 12 chicks at 4 weeks old. The yellow beaks & legs aren't a weakness, per say. Just something that occurs occasionally in the breed, due to outcrossing for more utility. I can breed it out, thank goodness! Bart sent me a link in Dutch that I google translated before I left. It has what to look for in selecting breeding stock. I have to do further work when I get back home, because it didn't translate very well. Oye! All my stock I received from Bart, as hatching eggs & young live birds. So, not sure of any SOP in existence for this breed. I'm sure there must be one in Europe. I will look into this more when I get home.