Hey Deb I have a question for you and anyone else who has New Hampshires:
What is the deal with German ones vs Heritage US ones...I might not be even asking that right but I am getting the impression that people either do one or the other and that there is some devisiveness.
I ask because I am going to be taking another of my uncle's roosters to put in with my 2013 pullets. He is a hatchery NH and I was thinking of getting a couple of quality NH girls next year so that I could do Dels,, NHs, and cross them both ways too. I am getting this roo to save him from the bachelor life he has led so far not because I had a burning desire to have NHs but in doing some reading I like them more and more. He is about 18 mos old and sweet. Anyway the German lines seem to offend some people and the people on the other side are saying that Americans are POed because the Germans have done it better than them so I am just curious what you have experienced.
My Orp failed. She ignored the babies and went back to sitting. So I tuckd them under my production red. And yes, at 4 1/2 years old, she has been still laying. Just not as reliably.
My Orp failed. She ignored the babies and went back to sitting. So I tuckd them under my production red. And yes, at 4 1/2 years old, she has been still laying. Just not as reliably.
I sold my remaining 2 and a half year old Hatchery RIR and one Hatchery Barred Rock to a couple that lost all but one chicken to a Raccoon. They were very pleased when all three of them laid an egg on the same day. The one that survived the attack was still not laying. Poor thing.
haha that is funny chiquita. My only purpose beyond wanting to always have Dels is to hatch some production reds from higher quality stock and non-cornish meat birds. I have read that the Del roo over NH hen makes a nice meat bird as well as a good layer. I would like to be able to sell a few eggs and chicks locally but want to start small.
My Orp failed. She ignored the babies and went back to sitting. So I tuckd them under my production red. And yes, at 4 1/2 years old, she has been still laying. Just not as reliably.
Silly Orp. Sounds like she just prefers the idea of babies How will you break her? That is great to hear that your prd red is still laying. One of my Prd Reds lays a huge dark brown egg daily. seriously she started mid Sept 2012 and has maybe missed 3 days but I don't think so. The other has been less productive this summer when she decided it would be fun to be a mom as long as it didn't mean she didn't get treats.
Ali: Thanks. I just walked down to visit him and his bro roo and give them a little BOSS. They are handsome boys.
I sold my remaining 2 and a half year old Hatchery RIR and one Hatchery Barred Rock to a couple that lost all but one chicken to a Raccoon. They were very pleased when all three of them laid an egg on the same day. The one that survived the attack was still not laying. Poor thing.
that's great Ron. a win win for sure. I think I may sell a couple of my current girls to make room for some silver birds but I wouldn't do it until next spring. What would you charge for a year old hatchery SS and cool looking White crested polish/Dorking of the same age if both were laying?
that's great Ron. a win win for sure. I think I may sell a couple of my current girls to make room for some silver birds but I wouldn't do it until next spring. What would you charge for a year old hatchery SS and cool looking White crested polish/Dorking of the same age if both were laying?
one of my two broodies has already gotten up off the nest, with only two chicks hatched -- no sign of pipping in the other three eggs, but just in case, i moved them under the new broody, who seems quite happy to have more eggs (she's on two fake ones already) -- will just have to keep an eye out now in case any more chicks actually hatch!
although it's starting to seem less likely, since all four that hatched, hatched yesterday within 4 hours or so of each other -- so perhaps the others aren't going to? time will tell...
one of my two broodies has already gotten up off the nest, with only two chicks hatched -- no sign of pipping in the other three eggs, but just in case, i moved them under the new broody, who seems quite happy to have more eggs (she's on two fake ones already) -- will just have to keep an eye out now in case any more chicks actually hatch!
although it's starting to seem less likely, since all four that hatched, hatched yesterday within 4 hours or so of each other -- so perhaps the others aren't going to? time will tell...
How will you break her? That is great to hear that your prd red is still laying. One of my Prd Reds lays a huge dark brown egg daily. seriously she started mid Sept 2012 and has maybe missed 3 days but I don't think so. The other has been less productive this summer when she decided it would be fun to be a mom as long as it didn't mean she didn't get treats.
