Chicken Breed Focus - Houdan

[JaeG]

Houdans are the reason I got chickens. They look so endearing with their top knots and beards. We have two hens for their eggs, Dorothy and Peppa. Dorothy has yellow legs and Peppa lacks a beard so they are just pet quality. They do suffer from 'feather blindness' so need a haircut after they moult, otherwise they become very flighty and can't eat properly. They are very docile and other than the houdans we have two araucana, and various bantams and they all get along just fine. I introduced one bantam pullet just a little while ago and had no problems with her integrating into the flock. I'm not sure who is the boss in the coop as they are all so docile.

 

[Starseed]

Houdans are the reason I got chickens. They look so endearing with their top knots and beards. We have two hens for their eggs, Dorothy and Peppa. Dorothy has yellow legs and Peppa lacks a beard so they are just pet quality. They do suffer from 'feather blindness' so need a haircut after they moult, otherwise they become very flighty and can't eat properly. They are very docile and other than the houdans we have two araucana, and various bantams and they all get along just fine. I introduced one bantam pullet just a little while ago and had no problems with her integrating into the flock. I'm not sure who is the boss in the coop as they are all so docile.

Got any pointers on how to give a crested bird a 'haircut'? I have 3 Mottled Houdans. They are about 4 months old and I've been wondering about giving them a haircut because it doesn't seem like they can see hardly at all.

 

[JaeG]

Got any pointers on how to give a crested bird a 'haircut'? I have 3 Mottled Houdans. They are about 4 months old and I've been wondering about giving them a haircut because it doesn't seem like they can see hardly at all.

My daughter cuddled them while I trimmed. With my girls it's the feathers right at the front that need trimming but it depends on your bird and how their crest grows. The scariest thing is worrying about poking them with the scissors. You do need sharp scissors. You need to make sure you aren't cutting any new feathers growing in that still have blood going to them as they will bleed. My girls had become very scatty after moulting because they couldn't see (the breeder had trimmed them before we brought them home) so this was my first time trimming. Hope that helps.

 

[kysilkies]

We just got into these beauties, ours are about 4-5mths old.

I'll have to take more pics! Lol

 

[eggspecto_patronum]

 

[BleuSaphir]

I love their funky look...lol

 

[JaeG]

 

[Egg Snatcher]

I had a big fluffy chick. It died 2 days after we got it, though.

 

[Egg Snatcher]

Are there houdan bantams?

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

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Darn, you're in new Zealand? That hen has the most depth I've seen on one in years. I'd love tho get my hands on some of that!