Alright, prepare for picture spam...Here's the 4 BLRW, one of which we think is crowing...but aren't sure which one. What do you guys think the genders are of these birds? Cockerel, or pullet? Pictures are a head shot, full body shot, and saddle feathers
BIRD 1
BIRD 2
BIRD 3, the pullet that makes the other 3 look VERY boyish
Hi Popsy, I just posted all of the pics and information. I am not so great on this website. It's a little confusing to me. Let me know if you are unable to see them.
sorry, I am bit slow. I have been trying to follow this thread again, but if I don't get on here for 3-4 days then phew it blows up!!
Yes, I had 4 pens of chocolate producers. Finally sold my original quad so I'm down to 3 pens. The one "TheKeeper" hatched from is a black split to chocolate male over chocolate hens. These are all large fowl and quite good sized. The technically produce 25% chocolate females, 25% chocolate males, 25% black split to chocolate males, and 25% black females.... although I have been hatching way more chocolates than blacks from that pen.
The second pen is the one you are talking about BCollie. I have a black split to chocolate rooster over black hens. It produces: 25% chocolate females, 25% black males, 25% black split to chocolate males, and 25% black females. But, anything that hatches chocolate is a guaranteed pullet which is why I keep that pen.
I have a third pen which is pure chocolate but they are my favorite birds from early in my chocolate endeavors so they are mid sized birds... a bit bigger than an american orpington but not as big as an english orpington. They are broody and not laying currently but hatch 100% chocolate.
Hope that helps!!
Jeff
Such great deals! I really need a bigger places (and somone to do the work). It looks like 5 of the 8 BLRW eggs are developing and all 3 of the Marans (I think). I have 2 broodies sitting on fake eggs right now and lockdown will be on the 11th. I just moved them to the broody coop so they will get eggs then. Thank you again for getting these to me!
Quote: I'll have to check the health food grocery here--the closest TJs is in Medford, which is 2 hours away, and I believe that OR4H-mom has already reported that that one doesn't have fertile eggs... If I weren't so dead-set against more light brown layers right now, I could just go to the farmer's market--the Alexandre Dairy Kids sell their eggs here (logically enough, since the dairy is just over that-a-way). They run Australorps, New Hampshire Reds, and Rhode Island Reds in with the cattle.
I suppose I could actually ask around here about eggs--I'm pretty sure one of the other moms involved with my elder's soccer team is involved with 4H, because she had to miss a game because she had to help slaughter unsold birds after the fair.
That would be great to get some locally. You also could call around to grocery stores and ask about fertile eggs there. I was very surprised to find them at SaveMart here.
am off this week time to get caught up around here.
My wife traded a photography session for another coop now my bantam Brown Red Ameraucana can have a proper house haha.
another quick note we just had a 5 minute down poor. had to run out a cover the chicken food though one was in a spot near a roof and was soaked.
Marans are lovely, but, as a whole, there are many issues to work out across the board.
This summer we tried out 5 additional lines just to see if there was anything else we liked or preferred better. We asked in-depth questions before purchases, but still ended up with much culling when those same issues popped up anyway.
Three of the five other tested lines tested expressed sprigs as well. Three lines were split for Wheaten or RW (still waiting until one more line gets older to test them.). With all of the other problems that showed up, there is only one of those lines we'd even try again.
Here's the real problem...
Some breeder's either not being aware, or, not acknowledging the issues in their flock (in denial)... or, just not mentioning faults because they are afraid being upfront with the real problems will affect sales. They want to make money, but, leaving out things doesn't better the breed. Buyers need in on the real issues of their flock so they can make informed decisions on what they can and cannot deal with- and doubling up on faults will help everyone to clean up their problems. Then, working on eliminating issues.
Two of those sellers I mentioned are still selling hatching eggs to buyers, even though they have been apprised that their flock is split for Wheaten. (Explained how to do the test to check, themselves.) One is adamantly in denial, and sells to a tremendous amount of buyers.
I think there is a lot of problems with breeders aiming to turn a profit and ignoring faults. I have 5 breeding pens and have to cull heavily to keep decent offspring. Last spring I ordered some Orps from a high-end farm back East. They were terribly expensive and not very good quality. The combs are all a mess. Orps are not supposed to have sprigs either. I was told early on that you have to hatch hundreds to find the right ones. That was a shocking number!
Mind you I am not opposed to profit. In fact, I'm hatching like crazy planning for just that. Once I've made a little for school I plan to hatch for myself again.
I do not have Marans - much to my mother's disappointment. She'd like to see some dark eggs in the basket. Someday I'd like some culls for the breakfast layer flock. Anyway, I was just approached on another group by someone who wants Marans eggs. She lives in Arnold and was willing to drive 2 hours for them. Since I can't help her out, I thought I'd ask if you know of anyone from the Sacramento area who would have Marans. Arnold is near 49 so anywhere from Placerville to Jamestown would be an easy drive. Does anyone come to mind?
BCollie - I don't raise Wyandottes, but here is my opinion. #2 and #4 are males. They have pointed hackle feathers and are pretty red in the face/comb. #3 is certainly a pullet. #1 I'm not positive on - the comb/face is pretty red, but I'm not seeing the pointed hackles. If I had to guess, I'd say male. #1 has an incorrect comb type also.
Deann @juststruttin , this story is for you because you own the parents of this little lady
Once upon a time there was a young girl chicken that didn't care if everyone else was clamoring for their morning treat.
While they were looking for something on the ground, she was busy looking for a way out.
Then she would run around so fast that the wind would blow her breast feathers to the side. (Not really, I just have no other explanation for this).
And if she caught sight of you watching her, she would go stand against the fence and pretend she wasn't going to do anything spectacular. She's humble that way.
Then she would take a flying leap and land on top of the fence. After that, the whole world - or at least the lawn and flower beds - is hers for the taking.
All the rest of the chickens stand around and say ooooh!
aaah...
and DID YOU SEE THAT??? CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!! AND SHE DID IT YESTERDAY TOO! Yup, that's what they say. This one here is really in your face about it. In fact, she's a little spiteful. She whispered to me "When is someone going to tell that girl she has a big behind and lead butts aren't supposed to fly?" Personally I just think she's jealous.
Every now and then one of her brothers will get the wild idea that he can fly too. So he'll run, jump and WHACK! Hit the fence about half-way from the top.
Everyone laughs.
At night the fence queen puts herself back and goes to bed with her family.
