California - Northern

[ronott1]

How would you compare Crele Penedesenca with Marans? Eggs, personality, care?

Penedesencas have been stand offish. They seem to be scared of me(Boys mostly) but they have never attacked me. They are very attentive to the girls.

Penedesencas that we have here are smaller than Marans so most are not Dual Purpose. Black Penedesencas are more Dual purpose but most are smaller here too. There is an improved black in Spain that goes 9 to 10 pounds though and the one I hatched from Florida is getting up to 8 pounds now. He is not a year old yet either. He hatched in the Spring. The biggest difference though is heat hardiness. Penedesencas plain flat do not die in the heat here. You do have to make sure they have water and shade but they do not pant until it gets to 95 or so and I have never seen one spread open their wings.

Eggs are as dark but do not have the waxy look of marans. They lay a bit better and lay more eggs than Marans. The dark color last longer than Marans but the eggs are a bit smaller.

 

[Chickengirl1304]

They're here! 3 days from Washington state? Redicules!! Poor chickens!

 

[farmhand]

...
Eggs are as dark but do not have the waxy look of marans. They lay a bit better and lay more eggs than Marans. The dark color last longer than Marans but the eggs are a bit smaller.

Thanks for the info @ronott1
But I am confused over who lays larger eggs???
Also I like that they are heat tolerant. On the other hand I like calm chickens.

 

[ronott1]

Thanks for the info @ronott1
But I am confused over who lays larger eggs???
Also I like that they are heat tolerant. On the other hand I like calm chickens.

The Marans lay larger eggs--Often Jumbo. Penedesencas lay large to extra large eggs.

I carry a Partridge Penedesenca Cockerel and a Crele Penedesenca cockerel out to their breeding pens each night. They perch on my arm and are very calm and easy to work with. The Crele is a bit harder to get out of the cage though.

They are not as "Flighty" as Leghorns.

 

[CackleJoy]

Most of the breeds with plum eggs have some Langshan in them I think. The ones I have been getting look plum colored when dry but look brown when wet. The Bloom changes the color.

It is very cool to see.

They sound REALLY NEAT! I may have to add this to my hen-house wish list. So the eggs look normal after being washed. Hmmm, incentive to keep things uber clean and avoid washing eggs!

 

[CackleJoy]

Penedesencas have been stand offish. They seem to be scared of me(Boys mostly) but they have never attacked me. They are very attentive to the girls.

Penedesencas that we have here are smaller than Marans so most are not Dual Purpose. Black Penedesencas are more Dual purpose but most are smaller here too. There is an improved black in Spain that goes 9 to 10 pounds though and the one I hatched from Florida is getting up to 8 pounds now. He is not a year old yet either. He hatched in the Spring. The biggest difference though is heat hardiness. Penedesencas plain flat do not die in the heat here. You do have to make sure they have water and shade but they do not pant until it gets to 95 or so and I have never seen one spread open their wings.

Eggs are as dark but do not have the waxy look of marans. They lay a bit better and lay more eggs than Marans. The dark color last longer than Marans but the eggs are a bit smaller.

Are working on a cross to increase size, heat tolerance and dk brown egg production?

 

[CackleJoy]

Are working on a cross to increase size, heat tolerance and dk brown egg production?

Sorry, missed a word. Are YOU working on a cross?

 

[CackleJoy]

ok question for those with UofA Blues : how well do they lay? i'm reading like almost 300 eggs/year. That would be Amazing! But would like to know if it's true. And do you also have CL's ? Wondering on the comparison. I'm reading that those are laying a medium egg. I'm really liking the idea of the penedesencas crossed with the U of A blues. Sounds like a good layer in the making. I want so many breeds right now, my head is spinning. I don't think I can get all those different pens set up for certain breeds, but at least if I can have some layers of each I'd be happy. Or maybe just a few of each.

I hear you! Why our hen house has so many different breeds. I just enjoy them. We are working on getting several breeding pens set up though. Rather need them with 4 roosters in the hen house (30 + pullets 6 - 11 mo). We have 3 established pens but they are full! Trying to motivate my 13 yr old son to build me more houses

He's afraid of messing up. I really don't care if the walls are perfect, I just need them connected!

 

[CackleJoy]

Anybody want to go to the Gold Coast Poultry Fanciers poultry show this Saturday? If you drive, I'll pay for gas!

What?! I must know of this!

 

[CackleJoy]

That is all normal stuff as we move into the new laying season. It is like they have to learn it all over again. Probably from having such a small amount of brain for storing memories.

I didn't know this was normal! Though my chickens were exceptionally dumb