Blue Egg Layers from University of Arkansas

[HallFamilyFarm]

The difference in Marans came because they were imported from two different countries.

Exactly. If these get too many generations apart from the F1 (the eggs we all acquired in 2012) then we could have some variance in them. We still will end up with distinct strains. If we swap hatching eggs every year or two we can make certain everyone's strains remain the same type etc. At some point it would be nice if a licensed judge could assist with drafting a Standard.

 

[OSUman]

 

[caj1985]

Just a warning for anyone with these or interested in getting some. I knew they could fly, but yesterday we got a lesson in exactly how well. We have our new rooster in a coop that is only partially finished (still need to finish out the interior) temporarily. Yesterday my husband goes to feed and can't see the rooster but can hear him. He looks up to the top of the 8 foot ceiling and there is a little splash head looking down at him. Somehow the crazy bird had managed to fly 8 feet straight up and into the hole where we had put a wind turbine into the roof. Needless to say we are in there on a ladder trying to remove him from the turbine without getting him all cut up from the sheet metal while Isaac is beginning to hit the area with 30+ MPH winds. I wish I had had a chance to get a picture. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it. Obviously anyplace these guys are confined is going to need to be covered.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

We built a turkey coop similar to our backyard coops. Except this turkey coop is 8'W x 10'L x 8'H. The nest are in one end and the 3 roosts are 6'2" above the ground. Even our Narragansett tom roosts up there 6'2" from the ground. The grow out paddock is next door to the turkey coop. Our Blue males roosted on TOP of the 8' turkey coop. We now have them in smaller covered coops, but these are able to fly from the ground to an 8" "roost"!

So, YES, they can really, really, really FLY!

 

[caj1985]

This one managed to fly 8 feet up and hit a 12" diameter hole. We are hoping the addition of the three pullets will make him less inclined to "fly the coop".

Any damage down you way? We are just getting a very nice gentle soaking rain now which is absolutely wonderful.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Not much damage. Lots of rain.

this is the new Splash cockerel? What a way to introduce himself to your farm!

 

[caj1985]

That would be the culprit. I have had to get the pullets of the top of the 6' run many evenings but never dreamed that this rascal would be able to hit the bullseye on an 8' roof. I'm just glad we managed to get him out before the turbine tore him up.

I've noticed the combs on my pullets are starting to redden up. Fingers crossed that all of them including yours will start laying soon.

Glad you got the desperately needed rain. We haven't received anywhere near the amount that was expected.

 

[OSUman]

So how many birds does everyone have?

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

We started a census elsewhere so the breeders will know how many. Not every breeder has answered yet.

 

[OSUman]

We started a census elsewhere so the breeders will know how many. Not every breeder has answered yet.

So what are you up to?