Chantecler Thread!

[toofarout]

Well, I promised I would post and I am! The white Chantecler chicks arrive from Fayrehale this morning. They were a day late despite Express shipping, but only one was DOA and the rest are still hale and hearty and settling in with my Houdan chicks. Jim was even kind enough to send a few extra! He was fantastic, and the chicks look great.

Yay! That is fabulous news!

 

[Jake Levi]

Post some pics when you can.

 

[suncatcher]

Suncatcher, what breeds are you working with?

I am choosing the Partridge or Albertan Chantecler for much the same reason as your high altitude landrace. Cold hardiness and productive dispite the cold.

Welcome to the thread.

Thank you, somehow I missed this!

I have a mixed flock of RIR, BR, BO, Iowa Blues, Mottled Javas, a Lakenverlder, and both LF and Bantam Cochins for fun. I would like to add some Chantecler's but still in the process of putting up additional pens, so that is on hold for now. I too am looking for cold hardy and good egg laying even with the high altitude and cold. I do not provide light or heat, so they have to be hardy!!!

 

[Jake Levi]

Good choices !

I want to get eggs from Rhoderunner in Pa in June, I have Icelandics and Delawares now, and getting some Iowa Blue eggs this month I hope. I am setting eggs this week from the Delawares and next week of the Icelandics. I am hoping next year to add the RC RIR, that was my grandmothers breed and my introduction early on to breeding chickens. She was very strict with her flock and it showed. Its another heritage homestead breed I want to have.

The Chanteclers, and Albertans are purpose developed breeds for our climate, and I am expecting good things from them. Hopefully next year I will also be adding the Chanteclers. Six breeds will be a full plate to do justice too, and a LOT of omelettes. And sharing eggs with out extended family of friends and neighbors. Hopefully next year I will be able to provide hatching eggs to a few backyard breeders.

Spring is here, dispite 32 here this morn, it happens, I have seen snow flurries here on June 10th. This is why I want cold climate hardy chickens. With food prices soaring we need to raise the maximum amount of our food ourselves.

 

[suncatcher]

Good choices !

I want to get eggs from Rhoderunner in Pa in June, I have Icelandics and Delawares now, and getting some Iowa Blue eggs this month I hope. I am setting eggs this week from the Delawares and next week of the Icelandics. I am hoping next year to add the RC RIR, that was my grandmothers breed and my introduction early on to breeding chickens. She was very strict with her flock and it showed. Its another heritage homestead breed I want to have.

The Chanteclers, and Albertans are purpose developed breeds for our climate, and I am expecting good things from them. Hopefully next year I will also be adding the Chanteclers. Six breeds will be a full plate to do justice too, and a LOT of omelettes. And sharing eggs with out extended family of friends and neighbors. Hopefully next year I will be able to provide hatching eggs to a few backyard breeders.

Spring is here, dispite 32 here this morn, it happens, I have seen snow flurries here on June 10th. This is why I want cold climate hardy chickens. With food prices soaring we need to raise the maximum amount of our food ourselves.

Hmmm, I had not even considered the Icelandics or Delawares! Will have to look into them. I am definetly sold on the Chanteclers, have been doing some reading up on them, and they sound perfect. I ened up with one Iowa, and I am thinking I am glad she is it, she is the most flighty chicken!

Here too, we had snow five days ago, and still getting temps in the upper 20;s at night, frost out every morning. I too have had it snow here in June, we dress in layers, ALWAYS!

 

[ashandvine]

I would not have Delawares here in Maine again. Their combs were problematic (SO tall) and they really weren't great in the snow. Hedemora, Icelandics and any breed with a pea comb like Ameraucanas, PC, Brahmas, Russian Orloffs... just to name a few)

 

[suncatcher]

I would not have Delawares here in Maine again. Their combs were problematic (SO tall) and they really weren't great in the snow. Hedemora, Icelandics and any breed with a pea comb like Ameraucanas, PC, Brahmas, Russian Orloffs... just to name a few)

Ah, I was not aware of that, yep, big combs not good in cold weather, they are perfect for hot weather though. Thanks for the breed suggestions, some I have never heard of.

 

[BGMatt]

Hmmm, I had not even considered the Icelandics or Delawares! Will have to look into them. I am definetly sold on the Chanteclers, have been doing some reading up on them, and they sound perfect. I ened up with one Iowa, and I am thinking I am glad she is it, she is the most flighty chicken!

Here too, we had snow five days ago, and still getting temps in the upper 20;s at night, frost out every morning. I too have had it snow here in June, we dress in layers, ALWAYS!

V-comb breeds like Houdan, La Fleche, Polish, Crevecouer and the like would do well in cold climates as well. The Chantecler with it's cushion comb is probably best brown egg laying dual purpose for that climate though,

 

[suncatcher]

Quote: Thanks for the suggestions, more to think about!

 

[Jake Levi]

The large SC of the Delaware is a minus for them, I intend to select for smaller combs, a long term goal, but, they are a major plus for temperament, and laying, plus of course very nice size for dressing out.

All breeds have their plusses and minuses. I am looking for many good things in the Albertans, and next year the Chanteclers.

My Icelandics are very hardy, some have rose combs but we also have pea combs, I will do some selection in the roosters away from single combs. They lay well, are superior rangers, and long lived and very hardy overal, as would be expected from a breed isolated so long in a cold harsh climate.

I am actually expecting the Albertans to really give my other breeds strong competition. We shall see. I am expecting eggs from Rhoderunner in June and then begins the competition.