Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[Fred's Hens]

Sure wish I was closer, I'd sure love, love to keep those White Rocks for you, Bob. To my surprise, I understand Halbachs are no longer in the White Rock business? Have you heard that? Too bad. I so much wanted to get some this spring.

Do you have any eggs to mail? I'd sure love to get some before you let loose of your birds.

 

[countrygoddess]

I just came across a chicken breeding record-keeping software called ZooEasy (http://www.zooeasy.com/en/pedigree-software/breeding-poultry/breeders/index.html). You can use it for most livestock, I think--perhaps based on which animal you've chosen when you install it, it becomes more specific for that animal. Anyway, I downloaded the free trial and clicked through it to see all that it has to offer. It seems like it can do everything I need for my Silver Gray Dorking breeding program. This is my first year and I'm thinking about how to keep track of everything. I'm wondering if anyone uses this program and if so, how do you feel about it?

 

[Wynette]

Sure wish I was closer, I'd sure love, love to keep those White Rocks for you, Bob.

Do you have any eggs to mail? I'd sure love to get some before you let loose of your birds.

If eggs don't work out, perhaps Bob can hold a few for you...seems I may be seeing him from time to time at shows. Fred, I'd be tickeled to help in a small way by picking them up for you if that should work out.

 

[Fred's Hens]

If eggs don't work out, perhaps Bob can hold a few for you...seems I may be seeing him from time to time at shows. Fred, I'd be tickeled to help in a small way by picking them up for you if that should work out.

 

[3riverschick]

Usually they are really happy when they purr. There is a low growl that almost sounds like a purr too.

We used to have cats. Yeah, this was definitely a purr. Even tho she was giving me the stink-eye not to come
near her nest. Must have been because she knew the chicks were hatching.
Thanks,
Karen

 

[3riverschick]

Hi,
Well we have a 50% survival rate with the chicks. March kicked 1 egg out of the nest (unworthy chick inside), left one egg in the nest( probably unworthy too, was cold, didn't bother to,open it ); 4 live chicks. I vacillated for days over whether to leave the rooster in with the girls. He did not bother either eggs, chicks, or hens....but I learned the hard way, why one takes the rooster out of the broody coop. The girls felt they needed to protect the chicks from Junior. So they dug nice deep holes in the litter. In the end one chick was crushed by their protective squatting. So we have 3 live chicks left. Junior and May will go into the empty bachelor quarters today. March can raise 3 chicks by herself. Plus the deep holes mean the chicks have to climb a "mountain". of chips to get to the feed/water.
It's harder making a proper brooder out of a coop than a purpose-created brooder.
Well, I got to say these are the most perfect little chicks. Their conformation and markings are spot on. Couple of days I can wing sex them ( yes, this strain can be wing sexed) and know what we have.
Best Regards,
Karen

 

[neopolitancrazy]

congratulations, Karen! I am so excited for you.
Angela

 

[3riverschick]

congratulations, Karen! I am so excited for you.
Angela

========================
Hi Angela,
Thanks. I am never hatching eggs this early in the year again. I don't care what the experts say. What a hassle. I finally got everything set for the coop as a brooder. Moved May and Junior to the other coop. But now, March is just sitting on the chicks. One was hatched yesterday and 2 hatched today. Aren't they supposed to be eating and , at least, drinking? She doesn't seem to want to do anything for them except sit on them for warmth. Have 2 of the 60 watt soft light white bulbs in there. It's above freezing. Am I expecting too much , they still digesting egg sack? Or do I have an emergency brewing and just need to take the chicks from her? I agree it has been an upsetting day for March. Me in and out of the coop, doing the final changes to turn the coop into a brooder...losing her boy and other pullet to another coop. I am worried I am missing something.
Best,
Karen

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

========================
Hi Angela,
Thanks. I am never hatching eggs this early in the year again. I don't care what the experts say. What a hassle. I finally got everything set for the coop as a brooder. Moved May and Junior to the other coop. But now, March is just sitting on the chicks. One was hatched yesterday and 2 hatched today. Aren't they supposed to be eating and , at least, drinking? She doesn't seem to want to do anything for them except sit on the for warmth. Have 2 of the 60 watt soft light white bulbs in there. It's above freezing. Am I expecting too much , they still digesting egg sack? Or do I have an emergency brewing and just need to take the chicks from her? I agree it has been and upsetting day for March. Me in and out of the coop, doing the final changes to turn the coop into a brooder...losing her boy and other pullet to another coop. I am worried I am missing something.
Best,
Karen

Karen

I've hatched 3 dozen so far this year and I noticed that even in my brooder boxes, the chicks often took a day or longer before they began to eat. It's my understanding that the absorbed yolk feeds them for up to 3 days. I'd think you are "ok"...I wouldn't begin worrying unless they still aren't eating after 2 days.

Scott

 

[Pozees]

Karen

I've hatched 3 dozen so far this year and I noticed that even in my brooder boxes, the chicks often took a day or longer before they began to eat. It's my understanding that the absorbed yolk feeds them for up to 3 days. I'd think you are "ok"...I wouldn't begin worrying unless they still aren't eating after 2 days.

Scott

x2 - Hens usually take the chicks off the nest day 3-ish. The chicks need 12-24 hours just to recover from hatching, and as Scott said have yolk to absorb up to 3 days. If you see no indication on Sunday that she is beginning to move them about, you can certainly take them and brood them yourself, but I would probably give her until then at least, unless there are other signs of trouble. Once she moves them off the hatching nest, don't be surprised/alarmed if she then broods them on the floor of the coop and does not return to the nest. Hens are pretty amazing, but occasionally you do have one that isn't. Sussex are usually pretty reliable. Worrying is allowed, though, especially with your first clutch from this stellar trio, and whatever you elect to do, will be because you felt it was the best decision. It's all a learning curve. The hens and chicks don't read the books on raising them, darn them