Chicken Breed Focus - Maline

[JRNash]

If i can talk my DW into it it will be 300 x 300

 

[Shellz]

I know, OCD is a slow death! Don't ya just love talkin chickens!!

Ain't that the truth!

 

[Shellz]

If i can talk my DW into it it will be 300 x 300

The bigger, the better!

 

[Our Roost]

Last year we took our older 8x8 utility barn style shed and converted it into a secondary coop for breeding and meat birds primarily. I added an 8x7 fenced and covered porch off the back and fenced off a 16x24 ft. run area. It can house about 12 to 15 birds. I prefer a contained and fenced run verses free ranging. It already had electric and flood lamp from previous home owner. I added a plug outlet inside for heated water dish in winter and it has worked out great this past winter. Any ideas are always helpful when creating!

 

[Bine]

I know that sometimes husbands/wifes not so happy about the birds. but for a orig. Bresse (a poulet not a chapon**) you pay 25-35 Euros per kilo in the store and I think Malines can be compared to the traditional Bresse. Even if you compare it with a Sulmtaler or a Le Bleu ( a Bresse that is raised organic but not from France) with a price per kilo between 13 and 16 Euros, the time an money you invest in relation to what you would pay in the store makes it more attractive, I think.

** last time I saw a chapon the price per kilo was over 90 Euro

 

[JRNash]

For me, the electric fence has been the best bet. Something with at a bare minimum 2 joules. On my land that is surrouned by neighbors I've shot two bobcats,possums,coons,foxes,feral cats and untold dogs. Yes dogs. The owners get one chance to do something.Only one. The only thing that ive found to consistantly work against ALL predators (to include snakes owls and hawks ) is an electric fence. One strand about 4:inches up. A second strand 18 inches above that one then one on TOP of the fence. Birds will step from fence to wire and get zapped. Snakes for some reason want to go up and over instead of through the fence thereby killing them. Ive had zero predation with the electric fence. The hawks want to land on poles to eyeball an easy meal. It zaps them to.lol

 

[Shellz]

I know that sometimes husbands/wifes not so happy about the birds. but for a orig. Bresse (a poulet not a chapon**) you pay 25-35  Euros per kilo in the store and I think Malines can be compared to the traditional Bresse. Even if you compare it with a Sulmtaler or a Le Bleu ( a Bresse that is raised organic but not from France) with a  price per kilo between 13 and 16 Euros, the time an money you invest in relation to what you would pay in the store makes it  more attractive, I think. 


** last time I saw a chapon the price per kilo was over 90 Euro

Here's the math:
25-35 Euros per kilo in store = $28-$40/kilo in U.S. dollars. $35-$49 Cdn. 90 Euros for capons = $102/kilo U.S. or $125 Cdn.

Capons do fetch a high price, (not sure how high - never looked here) but I find it's not a procedure worthy of performing on Malines that are raised solely for a small family anyway. Everyone will have their own goals though.

 

[Shellz]

For me, the electric fence has been the best bet. Something with at a bare minimum 2 joules. On my land that is surrouned by neighbors I've shot two bobcats,possums,coons,foxes,feral cats and untold dogs. Yes dogs. The owners get one chance to do something.Only one. The only thing that ive found to consistantly work against ALL predators (to include snakes owls and hawks ) is an electric fence. One strand about 4:inches up. A second strand 18 inches above that one then one on TOP of the fence. Birds will step from fence to wire and get zapped. Snakes for some reason want to go up and over instead of through the fence thereby killing them. Ive had zero predation with the electric fence. The hawks want to land on poles to eyeball an easy meal. It zaps them to.lol

Sounds like a great set up! Wish we'd invested in that first! Oh well. We have a secure approx. 50' X 40' yard. Only thing that got a couple of young birds, was a mink when I was late to lock up the coop.

Foxes are enemy #1 here. We have 2 dogs that'll give chase, but they're no match when young birds range along forest line. Now my mature mature birds free range & younger birds stay yarded. No losses yet this year. Crossing my fingers!

 

[JRNash]

My granpa's philosophy was to raise enough to feed the bugs,critters and family.

 

[Jorge angel]

I have 1 hen of this breed, she is always looking for treats, eats way more food than the other hens. Seem's always hungry???