Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[NanaKat]

Thank you.
I've been planting trees trying to get more shade during the day time hours in the pens and barn area for both the chickens and the cattle. We have a few trees around the house and fruit trees in the garden, but had to stretch shade cloths over the pens last year in the drought.

 

[fowlman01]

I wish I had heard and listened to that advice starting out. It doesn't take a 100 birds to learn what you have, and you want to enjoy the birds.

Have the incubator that you want, and enjoy your birds.

I am debating how many of my Catalanas I want to or can grow out this year. I am wondering if it will not require some numbers with these starting out. Part of me says to start slow, and the devil in the cabinet incubator says to hatch all I can.

From what I could see in the pics you posted, your Catalana's looked good. It's always good to get as many young as you can in the beginning, unless that is not an option. I am guessing that the black from the tail may want to wonder into other parts of the bird, especially the males, but I have never had any, so I don't know.

Walt

 

[Pozees]

I agree with your statements for the most part. Space for each flock to spread out without running over another flock's toes is essential to freeranging several flocks together.
We have 248 acres and the chickens range by choice on about an acre around the house, barn, garden and the flock pens. I have over 100 birds in the combined flocks. Maintaining peace means knowing which roosters can be gentlemen outside their pens. The hens usually get along nicely. I enjoy spending time out with the birds and they follow me in the garden waiting for me uncover grubs etc.
This photo has the layer flock with some of the breeders out and about between the barn and garden.

Yes the two older hens in the lower right are a little feather bare in the picture...they have since grown those fethers back in.

Love this picture Do you experience introduction squabbles when you first free range them together or do they seem to just figure it out?

 

[Arielle]

Quote: THe Green? or the Flat?

 

[NanaKat]

Quote: Some of my hens in the layer pen are 3 - 5 years old and have always been comfortable freeranging with younger birds. I often take a cup of scratch out with me and toss it oround for the flocks when they are released and they are so interested in finding the scattered tidbits, they don't squabble. At different times of the year, there are broodies with chicks, juveniles and the aged out together. The main roosters are great at keeping squabbles to a minimum. After the breeding pens are busted there is a little pecking order shuffling, but not a big issue.
All respond to any rooster's alarm call too. Out in the open like they are, when an alarm sounds, they scurry to cover under the vehicles, tractors or back to the runs.
I like have a colorful diversity to the flock.
Here is one of my favorite early fall pictures of the flocks headed out...with the old Cochin rooster .

 

[Pozees]

Some of my hens in the layer pen are 3 - 5 years old and have always been comfortable freeranging with younger birds. I often take a cup of scratch out with me and toss it oround for the flocks when they are released and they are so interested in finding the scattered tidbits, they don't squabble. At different times of the year, there are broodies with chicks, juveniles and the aged out together. The main roosters are great at keeping squabbles to a minimum. After the breeding pens are busted there is a little pecking order shuffling, but not a big issue.
All respond to any rooster's alarm call too. Out in the open like they are, when an alarm sounds, they scurry to cover under the vehicles, tractors or back to the runs.
I like have a colorful diversity to the flock.
Here is one of my favorite early fall pictures of the flocks headed out...with the old Cochin rooster .

Paradise

 

[Chris Herzog]

Ok, a little off topic....but I like the old Ford truck! lol

Chris

 

[Chris09]

Ok, a little off topic....but I like the old Ford truck! lol

Chris

Looks like a old Ford 100 Ranger Style Side.
It would make for a nice "toy".

Chris

 

[maryhysong]

THe Green? or the Flat?

Oh BOTH! my place runs about 45 degrees, full of rocks and not a blade of grass in sight

 

[Pozees]

From what I could see in the pics you posted, your Catalana's looked good. It's always good to get as many young as you can in the beginning, unless that is not an option. I am guessing that the black from the tail may want to wonder into other parts of the bird, especially the males, but I have never had any, so I don't know.

Walt

This made me go look at the Catalana pics on gjensen's page - I hope you will share some chick pics with us, and I have to say I'd be inclined to raise as many as you can safely manage. Might even look for some partners nearby to raise some chicks for you so you have some time to see how they grow out - just a thought from someone who hasn't even started breeding yet The vulnerability of a line with only one roo and two hens would make me nervous.