Chat room for non religious poultry keepers! :D

[fluffycrow]

Remind me why you don't want them to inter-breed.

Mainly, to start breeding this landrace as pure as a landrace can be, and to eventually breed to some sort of standard. Mixing serama, and other unknown genetics into it won't help

 

[fluffycrow]

Yeah, I'm not going to do that. I simply won't pen up birds that have been free ranging nonstop for almost three years and are in tune with their territory and nature, just to satisfy my ephemeral idea

And to add to that: the bantam youngsters may have what it takes genetically, but they have not experienced the outdoors. Mom(s) are doing a really good job teaching them, but they're teaching them what they know. And they don't know anything about the "real world". On the other hand the Tsouloufates have been taught to free range by the ISA brown that came before them, who were taught by the previous bunch...going back to the very first birds. All this accumulative knowledge (because yes, I do strongly believe that birds can pick up all the survival strategies from thriving, older especially, birds), paired with the genes of the Tsouloufates makes them very successful in this situation, and very very happy

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Yeah, I'm not going to do that. I simply won't pen up birds that have been free ranging nonstop for almost three years and are in tune with their territory and nature, just to satisfy my ephemeral idea

Yeah, the only way I could see it working is if you did rotational free-range, one flock free-ranges one day and the other the next day. Or maybe morning and evening. I have a small rooster flock I free-range in the mornings and then I herd them back to their pen in the afternoon and let my mixed flock out to free-range. But birds that are free-ranging full time will have an adjustment period with that as well, and it'll probably be tough to convince them to go back to their pen for the other flock to take their turn, making that sort of system a lot more work for you.

(because yes, I do strongly believe that birds can pick up all the survival strategies from thriving, older especially, birds)

Yes, I agree with this as well. Chicks definitely pick up on their mother's habits, as well as some of the habits of the flock around them, as they're growing up. Even the brooder-raised ones that I turn out in the flock pick up on things from the older birds, albeit a lot more slowly than the hen-reared birds I have out there.

 

[fluffycrow]

The Tsouloufates are free ranging pretty much all day every day, but return to their coops for safety reasons. The bantams I'd like to be 100% free range, but I obviously can't do that while the Tsouloufates free range. The most probable scenario is everything staying as it is. Less probable, only doing female bantams, which would simply be too small to breed with Kolovos or his son.







Absolutely, nothing tops the behaviours taught by mom, or the efficiency in which they're taught. I have found youngsters are quite the sponges, absorbing any peace of information and expertise from the older birds they're interacting with, if need be, and even if they have no familial ties

 

[JacinLarkwell]

which would simply be too small to breed with Kolovos or his son.

Don't underestimate how large a male can be and still breed with bantams. I have several midsized birds out of a giant male and tiny female

 

[fluffycrow]

Oh I'm sure, I'm positive Kolovos could breed Ursula (in fact I think he has, once). But Cruella is quite literally the size of his foot (in width), and paired with serama, their females offspring are going to be TINY. I'm sure they could still find a way, life finds a way after all (I'm re-watching the jurassic world and park movie series) but I do believe the chances are slim

 

[ShrekDawg]

Oh I'm sure, I'm positive Kolovos could breed Ursula (in fact I think he has, once). But Cruella is quite literally the size of his foot (in width), and paired with serama, their females offspring are going to be TINY. I'm sure they could still find a way, life finds a way after all (I'm re-watching the jurassic world and park movie series) but I do believe the chances are slim

I love those series!! Although I don’t think I ever saw the originals besides the first one. Or if I did, I was too young to remember. So I need to rewatch them all lol but I love the new ones and the original.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Wow today's tough. Actually looking forwards to my therapist appointment after work

 

[ShrekDawg]

Wow today's tough. Actually looking forwards to my therapist appointment after work

Aww I’m sorry

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Wow today's tough. Actually looking forwards to my therapist appointment after work

Hope that your appointment helps.

I've had a rough day, too. Just picked up my boys from the processors. Man, this set was tough to let go. Such beautiful boys... but just not enough room here for that many cockerels. Trying not to let it get to me, but darn, it's so hard.