California - Northern

[BCollie]

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I did ask on the Wyandotte thread, we'll see what they say.

 

[BCollie]

Quote:
Possible, but I was looking into the genetics of the rose/straight combs and didn't see any mention of different feathering rates. Does anyone have input on this? I am curious as to if you're right & it can be linked.

I think a lot of the feathering rate info is just observational. I don't know if there is any scientific info about it. It would be nice if there was a study on it...either for different breeds or for sex within breeds.

I agree, I'd love to see a study done on it! In my limited experience it seems my girls of whatever breed feather out faster than the boys of the same breed, but I'm basing this off just a few chicks. All my girls from a hatchery order feathered out at about the same rate last year.

 

[sewandgrow]

Definitely some nice aspects, however the predators out here are many and determined. Rats, mice, muskrats, minks, otters, raccoons, stray cats, hawks, owls, crows, ravens, coyotes, and the occasional opposum. And there's the mosquitoes carrying their nasty stuff. My aviary is practically a fortress.

Good point...all situations have good & bad. We each decide what is most important to us. I have few predators, but still some.

Love this photo.

So cute.................little girl seems totally comfortable with those big Mamas.....LOL

 

[ronott1]

I think a lot of the feathering rate info is just observational. I don't know if there is any scientific info about it. It would be nice if there was a study on it...either for different breeds or for sex within breeds.

Feather rates are different for lines within a breed. The old Delawares were described as being fast feathering. The New Heritage Dels have been slow feathering. The reason would be that the lines for Rocks and New Hampshire used to make the new Dels are not the same as the lines used for the original Dels.

It is not a mystery--Most breeds have lost their Utility to Show Quality traits. Some are even saying that slow feathering will make better feathers on Barred Plymouth Rocks. I am skeptical about that. I bet there was a line of fast feathering PBRs back in the day that laid 200 plus eggs and made a nice chicken dinner at 16 weeks old--and Show Quality.

 

[PetRock]

Feather rates are different for lines within a breed. The old Delawares were described as being fast feathering. The New Heritage Dels have been slow feathering. The reason would be that the lines for Rocks and New Hampshire used to make the new Dels are not the same as the lines used for the original Dels.

It is not a mystery--Most breeds have lost their Utility to Show Quality traits. Some are even saying that slow feathering will make better feathers on Barred Plymouth Rocks. I am skeptical about that. I bet there was a line of fast feathering PBRs back in the day that laid 200 plus eggs and made a nice chicken dinner at 16 weeks old.

My 2 different lines of Langshans feather out at different rates. All of the chicks from my newer, younger trio feather out very, very slowly. They all look to me like boys even at 5 weeks old. I refuse to believe that all of them are boys!

 

[BCollie]

There needs to be studies done on this! I oughta become a chicken scientist! Lol

 

[TheKeeper]

Wow, I found this picture on Google. Nobody ever mentioned that Dark Brahmas are GORGEOUS! Look at how beautiful this bird is!!

Amazing pattern - almost hypnotic. "You are getting sleepy...sleepy...now you are under my control" (like we weren't before? silly chicken)

 

[chrissyr]

Love this photo.

aww, me too!

It sounds like it is safe after it dries.

http://www.revivalanimal.com/articles/how-to-use-oxine-ah.html

Thank you

My middle DD talked me into giving a pullet some more time last year. It is doing fine now out in the layer yard.

They can amaze you like that!

I agree. it can be surprising. the pendescenca that I helped. I shouldn't have, panicked and did. well it's doing really well even though i almost doomed it with the exposed yolk sac.

 

[chrissyr]

Happiness is…. your husband working on your chicken coop because he's tired of chicks in the house

I must say my plan is working perfectly! He's been working non stop on it and it'll have 2 dividers and a separate broody/chick set up.
I don't even have to ask to him to do it, he volunteers on his own. Now if I didn't have chicks needing to go out, it may have never of happened.

It already had a asphalt floor with rubber mats for the horses, but they're gone now.
I do like when a good plan falls into place.

 

[OR4-hmom]

BCollie, I haven't raised many but with my line of Wyandotte's the boys are slower. They do have a male stance and attitude once they dry off in the incubator. No single combs but I have a hen who is giving me chicks that start off fine and at about 9 months the hock is breaking down and one leg is rotating. Glad I haven't hatched many of them.

You found my absolute favorite pattern! My preference is partridge but there's nothing wrong with penciled either.