d'anver lovers,discuss the breed and post some pics!

[speckledhen]

We culled the smaller cockerel today. Well, my DH snapped his neck after he started in on Spike again. He'd been living alone for days, while Spike was laying down the law to his older brother. Tom snapped his neck-he was fighting Spike and I grabbed him up by his tail and handed him to Tom, who took care of business right then and there.

We had taken him from the broody pen, put him back with the group, all the while, him biting the fire out of my DH, and he started in on Spike again, then the one that Spike had convinced that he was head honcho got his courage up and started in with his brother attacking Spike, so Tom had enough. This was the younger one we culled. The nasty Rusty clone is still here, but he won't fight Spike anymore with his brother gone. Aubrey won't get involved at all. It's like he is King and lazy as they come. He'll chase Spike halfheartedly, but won't break up fights like he used to do. So, I have decided to sell off Aubrey and Maura, my porcelain pair and try to get rid of the Rusty2 and one pullet with him, maybe two pullets since I don't have the other male who needs a pullet to go with him.

 

[Backwoods Bntms]

Well Cynthia, some times you got to do what you got to do. I have culled a lot of birds for a lot of reasons. But there was one BB red rooster that was in one of my top pens that used to flog and bite me every day when I did the feeding. Then one winter it was really cold and when I opened the door he came out and spurred me right between the eye and the temple. I am not sure if it was self defense on my part or murder but I ended it right there.

 

[Backwoods Bntms]

Getting ready to go to Knoxville.

 

[speckledhen]

Well Cynthia, some times you got to do what you got to do. I have culled a lot of birds for a lot of reasons. But there was one BB red rooster that was in one of my top pens that used to flog and bite me every day when I did the feeding. Then one winter it was really cold and when I opened the door he came out and spurred me right between the eye and the temple. I am not sure if it was self defense on my part or murder but I ended it right there.

Thank you, JJ. That makes me feel better. What I didn't want to happen was for that pair of males to double team poor, sweet Spike. They'd already made him a bloody mess one time. My husband hates to kill any of the birds for any reason, but he'd had enough of that crap. And Spike is just not a scrapper at heart so there was a distinct possibility they would have killed him. He's one in a million and I would have felt way worse about that than just culling that boy who was determined to put Spike down a notch. The other one that's left, the one I call Rusty2, flogged me in the arm as I was putting a pile of scratch on a concrete block for one group of hens. Spike looked at me, looked at him, puffed up his chest, flew into his face and chased him all over the coop. Then, he flew to me for his personal hand feeding. He's just so unusual, I'm very attached to him. I'm afraid I can't have another D'Anver rooster after Spike. He's set the bar so darn high for me, anything less would be a disappointment.

JJ, that's a pretty bird you're blowdrying. Good luck in Knoxville! Like the picture of my friend, too.

 

[Cetawin]

Wow my nemisis is a handsome dude....however he will be far more attractive once the spores take over!

JJ good luck in Knoxville and be careful we have ugly weather coming in tonight and usually Knoxville and us are close in weather. Get in touch if you run into problems...I am about three hours north of Knoxville. Travel safe and win all those ribbons JJ.

 

[chickee]

While bending down to collect eggs this evening one of my d'Anvers flew off the roost onto my head before landing on my back! I was trying to grab who ever it was off my back and finally caught hold of a tail and pulled the offender off. It was my buff Columbian rooster who has attacked me several times in the past. When he realized what he had done he looked scared to death. I have chased him around and given him a tongue lashing and he is respectful of me now. He usually flies off the roost and runs out into the pen in the evening until I am done putting up their food and water. He just made the mistake of landing on my head instead of the ground!

 

[Backwoods Bntms]

Wow my nemisis is a handsome dude....however he will be far more attractive once the spores take over!

JJ good luck in Knoxville and be careful we have ugly weather coming in tonight and usually Knoxville and us are close in weather. Get in touch if you run into problems...I am about three hours north of Knoxville. Travel safe and win all those ribbons JJ.

Made it home.

 

[Cetawin]

Awesome JJ...glad you made it safely. How did ya do?

PS...I filled my Jeep with gas and emptied my trailer 'Just In Case' I wanted to be prepared for the opportunity to toss KLF spores on you and the birds should the chance arrive. *snicker*

 

[Backwoods Bntms]

Didn't do much, birds weren't in the best condition.

 

[Cetawin]

Oh I am sorry to hear that...kinda a long trip for a show when the birds are not cooperating especially in this weather nastiness we've had.