California - Northern

[caychris]

That's a good point bringing up the shell quality of younger birds. On the same token the harder shells might make the offspring work too hard to crack out of the shell. The one year mark is considered "adult" for chickens except that with laying hens many show reproductive problems between one and two years old. Having good records to show young hen and older hen progeny progress must be quite a task. So many things to consider when breeding which is why I don't do it. Can't anyway because of my zoning but I'm still interested in seeing what owners are trying in their projects to get rare breeds improved. And what causes fertility issues other than a possible chicken disease/malady? Is it the problem with the roo or the hen?

I think there can be issues on both sides when it comes to fertility though its usually considered the male problem is the hen is laying nice eggs.

 

[featherhead007]

Consider those birds your responsibility now too, just look at them! they are counting on you. It's a good thing to have doves act like that!

 

[caychris]

Consider those birds your responsibility now too, just look at them! they are counting on you. It's a good thing to have doves act like that!

They left at some point in the day and I have not seen them back. Door will be open for them till night if they want to come back. I placed a box of straw on a high shelf and placed a pan with some scratch, wheat and flock raiser on another high spot in the event they do come back to garage. Even if they dont stay they were pretty and I would have been glad to have them around.

 

[featherhead007]

Atleast you have a picture!

 

[PetRock]

we are not sure yet

There are so many beautiful breeds and that makes chosing difficult! I am breeding two different breeds but my layer flock is eclectic. The variety makes me smile!

 

[h2oratt]

Thank you caychris for delivering 18 pita pinta eggs. I am really excited to hatch these. They sound like a great breed.i got to show him all my chickens. Thank you again. If all 18 hatch I am going to have to find homes for a few.

 

[Honora]

I like your plan @PetRock . I found someone to board a cockerel for me while I am away this summer, so I will have the option to hatch my own chicks for the first time this Fall. So I am trying to decide which of my cockerels to keep. I have mostly Orpingtons and bantam Orpingtons in my flock, and the hens/pullets are black, splash, blue mottled, and possibly jubilee (not 100% sure on her gender yet).

I am trying to decide between a chocolate cockerel, who would really be the best in terms of breeding, or the jubilee cockerel who has the nicest personality. My son wants to keep the jubilee, which would pretty much just give me a bunch of random looking chickens I think, but personality goes a long way. And since I am not breeding for show, it doesn't really matter I guess!

 

[h2oratt]

we are not sure yet

If you want some Delaware chicks caychris has some for sale. I have some barnyard mixes and some polish chicks.

Welcome to BYC. A great place for chicken info.

 

[Mr Stitch]

Hi all,

I'm here in N California... Oakland. Saying hi and then going to read back through the thread.
Been raising chickens for about 9 years. We've got 6 hens.

 

[ronott1]

Hi all,

I'm here in N California... Oakland. Saying hi and then going to read back through the thread.
Been raising chickens for about 9 years. We've got 6 hens.