Consolidated Kansas

[chicken danz]

The Bredas are such docile birds they will often just hide their heads in a confrontation. I'm glad the orp backed off. My orps aren't normally aggressive either. I have a barred rock that is a total jerk. I had to throw him out of the rooster pen because he would pick a fight with the other roosters and not give up. He is a docile bird other wise and is scared of his own shadow. He decided to take up residence with the layers and sleeps in the far coop and the other two roos sleep in the nearer coop. I'm glad they came to a truce.

 

[sharol]

The Bredas are such docile birds they will often just hide their heads in a confrontation. I'm glad the orp backed off. My orps aren't normally aggressive either. I have a barred rock that is a total jerk. I had to throw him out of the rooster pen because he would pick a fight with the other roosters and not give up. He is a docile bird other wise and is scared of his own shadow. He decided to take up residence with the layers and sleeps in the far coop and the other two roos sleep in the nearer coop. I'm glad they came to a truce.

Yeah, Bert and the Araucana cockerel (Ernie) get along fine with Jake in the other coop/run. Jake was established when they hatched, and they don't cross him. Bert is a sweet natured boy, and I really like the Bredas too.

 

[chicken danz]

I had a busy day. I delivered 10 chicks to my little 9 year old friend who loves chickens. It was a total surprise to her. Been talking to her parents for a while now but keeping it a secret from her. I had one araucana who was producing chicks with tails so when I finally was able to isolate the guilty girl she got sent to the layer pen. I had orders for araucana chicks but couldn't sell those tp people who show, so I threw in a couple others and a pair of black brahma chicks. I delivered them to her this afternoon. Her Mom said the kids had been out holding the chicks three different times today since I left about 2:30. Makes me happy. She had already named half of them before I left. I love gifting my little friend. She works very hard to take care of her birds and is always reading and studying about them.
I got some older chicks moved to a hoop coop today but just found them sitting outside. Dumb birds. DH helped me gather them and I shut them in the coop part until morning. I's not warm like a brooder but it will at least cut the wind. I don't want to loose any of those. Some are pre-sold, I need a few for myself and the others will sell. It's going to be cooler tomorrow but if they are inside tonight they should be fine.
I also sold 2 pair of peafowl this morning. A little money and a few less mouths to feed. I have someone showing up in the morning to buy 4 drakes. I guess that will keep me from having to butcher any more right away. I sure won't make money on them but I still have too many boys out there.

 

[Trish44]

The Bredas are such docile birds they will often just hide their heads in a confrontation. I'm glad the orp backed off. My orps aren't normally aggressive either. I have a barred rock that is a total jerk. I had to throw him out of the rooster pen because he would pick a fight with the other roosters and not give up. He is a docile bird other wise and is scared of his own shadow. He decided to take up residence with the layers and sleeps in the far coop and the other two roos sleep in the nearer coop. I'm glad they came to a truce.

Isn't it funny danz that some of the BR roosters seem fine & others can be total jerks? The one I have now is a nice guy but his dad sure was a demon in feathers. He went to freezer camp as soon as I was able to do it. The Orp guys I have seem to be pretty laid back for the most part unless they feel their hens are being threatened. They will defend their hens for sure.

Speaking of roosters, one of my Heritage RIR roosters is really getting big now, he's looking really nice so I expect some nice chicks from him. Those are some really good layers, they just laid their little hearts out last year, I hope they keep it up. The hens in there have been taking a break but I think they're starting to lay again now.

 

[chicken danz]

I've never had a mean barred rock. This guy is just mean to his fellow roosters. He runs like the wind from humans or anything else. He was broody raised so he's not as tame as my old rooster. I have one more boy I was saving for a breeder but put him in the rooster pen and he got beat up. If he recovers he will be my breeder back up and this other one will be soup. I like gentle birds that don't run from me.
It is awful out today. We had snow this morning and it wasn't supposed to snow down here. Winds are a steady 30mph with gusts up to 50. It is in the very least miserable out there. I had to go chase ducks in from the natural pond that forms in the corner of my farm ground. Got them all penned and then after catching 4 boys for my customer DH helped set up some panels so I could coral them all to the duck pen. It's really too small to keep them in there but I want them to get used to being there so they'll lay in the duck houses. I am getting about 20 bales of straw and will have bedding for them probably tomorrow. I have to get bedding in the duck houses, the peafowl, the geese, the mandarins, the nest boxes etc etc. Time to gear up for breeding season. I think I'm going to spend most of the day trying to stay inside and maybe cook and clean. Not that I enjoy that but I don't want to be out in that cold wind.

 

[lizzyGSR]

I've never had a mean barred rock. This guy is just mean to his fellow roosters. He runs like the wind from humans or anything else. He was broody raised so he's not as tame as my old rooster. I have one more boy I was saving for a breeder but put him in the rooster pen and he got beat up. If he recovers he will be my breeder back up and this other one will be soup. I like gentle birds that don't run from me.
It is awful out today. We had snow this morning and it wasn't supposed to snow down here. Winds are a steady 30mph with gusts up to 50. It is in the very least miserable out there. I had to go chase ducks in from the natural pond that forms in the corner of my farm ground. Got them all penned and then after catching 4 boys for my customer DH helped set up some panels so I could coral them all to the duck pen. It's really too small to keep them in there but I want them to get used to being there so they'll lay in the duck houses. I am getting about 20 bales of straw and will have bedding for them probably tomorrow. I have to get bedding in the duck houses, the peafowl, the geese, the mandarins, the nest boxes etc etc. Time to gear up for breeding season. I think I'm going to spend most of the day trying to stay inside and maybe cook and clean. Not that I enjoy that but I don't want to be out in that cold wind.

It amazes me how different the weather can be just across KS. It is windy here too, but the only snow we got is remnants from last week's big storm. It is blowing all over the place, causing renewed travel difficulties with snow re-drifting on roads. I wish it'd hurry up and melt before it has a chance to blow away. We need the moisture! Plus, we've got piles and drifts of snow all over the place that are really starting to get in the way! The weather is supposed to warm upl ater this week, and I really hope the snow melts quickly. I've got a hoop coop chicken coop to build and have a set deadline! My new chicks will be here March 9 or 10th!

My silly ducks/geese have been hiding out in their duck house. I had to chase them out of it this morning to convince them to go find some non-snowy ground to hang out in. Theyre making a huge mess of the duck house! I need to get out and clean it out this afternoon. It STINKS!

 

[TakenBackBre]

Hi everyone! Been watching my white pea and I'm starting to wonder is he is a she?!! Can anyone help me out?

I'm so stoked, my silkies are laying, my SS hen, at least one of my Ameraucanas and a BCM (sadly her eggs are too light to consider using her for breeding). I'm getting excited for spring and hatching out babies. Crossing fingers my peahen will think about laying and hatching out some peachicks even tho I know it's not very likely.

@KsKingBee can explain it better. I just picked up a pair of white peas today and he told me they have a ridge of noticeable feathers running down their neck when they are female. I didn't know this before today.

 

[Trish44]

@TakenBackBre that's interesting. I haven't had peafowl for awhile, I like them & think they're really pretty but just didn't have the room for them with all of the rest I have. I didn't want them to free range because people who do tend to lose the hens to predators since they are a sitting duck so to speak on a nest. They're expensive to buy too so I just couldn't justify turning them loose.

That wind was so cold yesterday here too. I didn't go out for my usual walk because of that. I just don't have to go out right now if I don't want to & I get so chilled. It seems like if I get chilled then I can't get warm. I've been having problems like that since I had surgery. I didn't use to get so cold, but I do now. It will be 4 weeks tomorrow since my surgery, so I have at least 3 more till I'm released to do chores. I'm sure hoping it warms up a bit by then.

 

[KsKingBee]

There are a number of things that you can look for when sexing White peafowl. When they are the same age the males will generally be taller and the tail will be a bit longer. On a male at the base of the tail on either side you will see some wispy feathers after about seven months or so.

When they are displaying you can look from behind and see the tail feathers that support the train feathers. The tail feathers will either make a round arch shape or a shape of a spade, they come up to a point in the center. Hens are round and the cocks are pointed.

The neck feathers on a cock are coarse and hairy looking, on a hen they are fine and lay flat and smooth.

But the easiest way to know for sure the sex of a hen of any color or age is the verticle ridge on the side of the neck where they overlap.



The hen above only shows it on her right side, many of my yearlings will have it on both sides or just on one side or the other.



Once you know what you are looking for it becomes really easy to spot.

 

[chicken danz]

There are a number of things that you can look for when sexing White peafowl. When they are the same age the males will generally be taller and the tail will be a bit longer. On a male at the base of the tail on either side you will see some wispy feathers after about seven months or so.

When they are displaying you can look from behind and see the tail feathers that support the train feathers. The tail feathers will either make a round arch shape or a shape of a spade, they come up to a point in the center. Hens are round and the cocks are pointed.

The neck feathers on a cock are coarse and hairy looking, on a hen they are fine and lay flat and smooth.

But the easiest way to know for sure the sex of a hen of any color or age is the verticle ridge on the side of the neck where they overlap.



The hen above only shows it on her right side, many of my yearlings will have it on both sides or just on one side or the other.



Once you know what you are looking for it becomes really easy to spot.

So only the hens have the ridge? When I looked last night after talking to you I did see ridges on the older hens but not sure I didn't see them on the males. It is supposed to get warmer today so maybe I can get a better look armed with some fresh veggies. I have about 5 whites from last year I'd like to get sexed so I know what I really want to keep or sell. I probably have enough hens for myself but the whites are my favorite I think so I may end up keeping a few more, including a back up cock. Of course the more I keep, the more pens I need to build. Not good. I'm running out of room in order to keep them all together!!!
My fence builder said he might be back Friday. I sure hope he is. I really want to get the goose fence in. I've got to get some of these geese sexed. If I don't get some of these ganders out of here I am going to end up with bald geese. I have to find some time to work on the new goose laying shelter as well. I was hoping it would be ready for tin but it's not.
The forecast said the wind was going to die down but it's still gusting out there this morning and it's feeling awfully cold.