Breda Fowl thread

[DutchChicky]

Christine aka Chalk: can't find your email anywhere. Have the Cuckoo's Breda's available now. So email me at [email protected] please , if you still want them. Pricing you can find at www.DutchConnectionFarm.com

 

[Sylvester017]

Got my Blue Breda along w/ a Blue Ameraucana from CO by USPS last Wednesday. As expected the Amer is a kooky spooky jittery juvenile but coos (or complains) when she's held. The Breda juvenile is way more calmer unafraid and not at all spooked and already ate treats from the hand. I hope this Breda will be a good integration into the flock which will comprise 2 Silkies, 2 Amers, and 1 Breda. The Breda is very stately, almost regal in her stance and behavior.

 

[BlueJayFarm]

Cool! I think it's great that you got another Breda. They don't seem to like to be the only one. They stick together in mixed flocks. I bet she's so pretty!

 

[Sylvester017]

Cool! I think it's great that you got another Breda. They don't seem to like to be the only one. They stick together in mixed flocks. I bet she's so pretty!

TY very much for the nice thoughts! The Blue Breda and Blue Ameraucana were hatched together, brooded together, and grew up in a pen with their flockmates but the breeder said these two always seemed to gravitate toward each other - she even leg banded them to make certain they were matched and shipped as companions. I thought Bredas were rather aloof but for some reason the Blue Ameraucana loves hanging around w/ the Blue Breda. A bond apparently they formed as chicks.

I wish I could say the Breda is physically beautiful - some of her tail feathers and toe feathers were broken and I don't know if it was from being in the breeder's pen or done during shipping since the Blue Ameraucana arrived in gorgeous plumage. I understand Bredas tend to get broken feathers easily because of those big flippers on their feet but she did have nice hocks and a gorgeous dark mane. I'll have to wait how she turns out after an adult molt. In personality she is a lovely breed and so regal compared to her jittery Ameraucana companion. They are in-house for quarantine and taking them to our vet this week for a check-up. The Breda's been shaking her head too much so I want to get her diagnosed. I can't help wondering if the 5,000-ft Denver altitude did a number on her ears being shipped to the West Coast or if there's some other issue. TG my vet isn't leaving town for vacation until this weekend!

 

[marcomercer]

I am looking for Mottle Breda hatching eggs, I am located in Missouri. If anyone could help me I would be very happy. I just love this breed, and this color is awesome.

Thank You

 

[RFR of CA]

dutchchicky just a few entries before yours is the one who has Cuckoo. I am also raising cuckoo but will not be opening the group until fall.

 

[RFR of CA]

Oops - she imported the Mottled too, but I think she only has blacks and splits right now. I have a few young mottled coming up nicely right now and will open the group in the fall along with my cuckoos.

Christine
Rare Feathers Ranch

 

[Sylvester017]

OK all you experienced Breda owners/breeders I have a question regarding my new Blue pullet 4 m/o. She arrived last week via USPS with most of her toe/leg feathers broken (or chewed) off and a few of her tail feathers. I assumed the feathers were broken off during shipping. However her traveling companion Ameraucana was feather perfect. On top of that the juvies were positive for round worms per our vet's fecal lab test and we've treated for that as well (Note: don't rely SOLELY on ACV/garlic for worm control the way our breeder did because the birds still came to us positive with worms. If you get juvie/adult birds coming from another breeder I suggest fecal tests right away which has been our practice over the years after losing our very first shipped juvie to worms).

We assumed the Breda's feathers were broken off in shipping but today we found her chewing at her feet and finally bled a bit after. We washed and disinfected her legs/feet/toes and applied Grannick's Bitter Apple afterwards and she hasn't chewed at her toes since so we hope this will help to stop her annoying chewing.

The juveniles are being fed a basic organic chick feed seed mix (no pellets or crumbles) no GMO no soy and has 20.3% protein. We've upped their diet with more protein with boiled eggs plus added cooked brown rice with some Kosher salt cooked in, Brewers Yeast, Bee Pollen, Vitamins, Rooster Booster, chopped organic cat grass greens, and organic Greek yogurt with active bacillus.

We used Bitter Apple on one of our Silkie's to keep their crests from being feather-picking food for the outside birds until we found the large fowl feather-picker culprit and rehomed her to an egg-layer flock.

Any suggestions to deter toe/leg feather-picking in Bredas? I guess they can't help chewing on those annoying quills in their toes? My Silkies don't chew their toe/leg feathers but then their feathers are much softer then Breda feathers/quills. Any help/experience appreciated!

 

[SilkiesForEver]

OK all you experienced Breda owners/breeders I have a question regarding my new Blue pullet 4 m/o. She arrived last week via USPS with most of her toe/leg feathers broken (or chewed) off and a few of her tail feathers. I assumed the feathers were broken off during shipping. However her traveling companion Ameraucana was feather perfect. On top of that the juvies were positive for round worms per our vet's fecal lab test and we've treated for that as well (Note: don't rely SOLELY on ACV/garlic for worm control the way our breeder did because the birds still came to us positive with worms. If you get juvie/adult birds coming from another breeder I suggest fecal tests right away which has been our practice over the years after losing our very first shipped juvie to worms).

We assumed the Breda's feathers were broken off in shipping but today we found her chewing at her feet and finally bled a bit after. We washed and disinfected her legs/feet/toes and applied Grannick's Bitter Apple afterwards and she hasn't chewed at her toes since so we hope this will help to stop her annoying chewing.

The juveniles are being fed a basic organic chick feed seed mix (no pellets or crumbles) no GMO no soy and has 20.3% protein. We've upped their diet with more protein with boiled eggs plus added cooked brown rice with some Kosher salt cooked in, Brewers Yeast, Bee Pollen, Vitamins, Rooster Booster, chopped organic cat grass greens, and organic Greek yogurt with active bacillus.

We used Bitter Apple on one of our Silkie's to keep their crests from being feather-picking food for the outside birds until we found the large fowl feather-picker culprit and rehomed her to an egg-layer flock.

Any suggestions to deter toe/leg feather-picking in Bredas? I guess they can't help chewing on those annoying quills in their toes? My Silkies don't chew their toe/leg feathers but then their feathers are much softer then Breda feathers/quills. Any help/experience appreciated!

Are you sure she was chewing on her own feathers? She may have irritated her feet somehow, and itching (or preening) them caused some blood.

 

[Sylvester017]

Are you sure she was chewing on her own feathers? She may have irritated her feet somehow, and itching (or preening) them caused some blood.

There's no itching. They've been treated for worms/lice/mites via Ivermectin, Rooster Booster Multi-Wormer, and organic Manna Pro Poultry Protector. The Breda arrived stressed and needed CRD treatment via the vet. She's been chewing on herself (toes and broken tail feathers) probably from stress of shipping and once she started picking on herself her Blue Ameraucana companion started chewing on the toe feathers when blood showed - chickens can be such cannibals! Now I've got them separated from each other and the Breda is roaming our kitchen exploring so she's not interested in chewing on herself. I think it's boredom but we're not certain. My vet's on vacation for 2 weeks and his replacement vets don't know anything about birds. We're soaking her feet with Bitter Apple a couple times a day hoping to deter more picking and keeping her amused with exploration as much as we can. We can't put them outdoors yet because they are still in quarantine.

This Breda juvenile is a lovely girl. She walks around us calmly in the kitchen with that special high step Bredas are known for - actually both birds are calm around us now. It's just so frustrating that both girls came with so many issues but mostly I'm concerned about the Breda. I can't wait to give them some time outdoors in the 4x8 dog kennel to get acquainted with the outdoor flock through the fenced pen. Because of the Breda's CRD treatment and worming treatments on both juvies I decided to delay putting them outdoors for an extra week.

I was hoping someone could suggest a solution or product for keeping the Breda from chewing on her toe feathers. Soaking with Bitter Apple is somewhat helpful but I think we need something more effective.

Thx for your input!