Euskal Oiloa ( Basque Thread)

[Skeffling Lavender Farm]

Their summer's hit the 100s, and I bet the EOs are just fine. Where we are, 30 degrees Celcius is hot 'cos we have the great lakes moderating the temps. That's why we are not so cold in winter. A lot of the prairie people have hwated barns for winter, it's a necessity there.

Funny, I was looking for dustbathing pics of my chickens the other day for a dustbath article I just wrote and nearly all the outside dust-bathers I got pics of were hot climate breeds, Andalusian, Euskal oiloa, Penedesencas and Sumatras! They were out dust-bathing in the glorious midsummer heat!

 

[skylinepoultry]

Quote:
Claire, that sux about your laptop plugin. Don't feel bad because I've did the same thing before.
I've noticed the marradunas in the open sun more than the others. But they are relentless foragers. I'm telling ya its a trip watching these guys jump and chase anything that moves. Cat like reflexes. They'll go clear across the fields chasing one bug.
I'm not big on super cold weather at all. I don't see how people do it. I like to be outside working and if I can't feel my fingers then I'm done. Well I had a nice set up at the old place but I'm still working on the new facilities now. I got compound 1 finishd and getting all the houses set up in there now. I hate more than anything setting foundations. I've been fighting roots for months now from the land clearing and its been a real headache. I'm a woodworking by trade so that's my cup of tea when I'm building the houses. I'm wanting to do a Oriental style house for my marradunas at the tree lines in front of the fields beside my compounds. I want them running free since they seem to forage better. I'm hoping to have all the bigger houses done by years end and have the breeding pens ready within the next month. I gotta get my woodshop back up for nesting box season too. Finally got my woodburner but need to order my piping before the prices go up. Gonna try and build some really nice custom nesting boxes out of cherry wood and rock maple too. I've had this design for sometime now that I'm wanting to do. Ok, now I'm ramblin,lol. Sorry. As to what I was saying before, I didn't want to sound harsh but I just think birds deserve to have nice things too. I was watching a segment on the tv last month and they were talking about how the chicken was becoming a family pet. They said move over cat and dog, here comes the chicken,lol. I was like YEAAA! Bout time.

 

[SusanC]

Poor Claire, you've been having a rough time with your computers lately! SLP, I also agree that our animals desrve the best- best accommodation, best food, lots of room to range. I saw an issue in "Organic Gardening" magazine with "vogue " chickens and their coops and it was so neat! I am planning a few things in one of my coops now. I even put up a mirror for my guinea fowl as they love to look at their reflections! I have flowers planted around the coops and hope to paint them this year as the are looking a bit shabby on the outside. And as for temperature, that's another really good point for the EOs. They have to adapt to a very harsh environment here. They are mostly inside from November to March, though it seems we get a few days of minus 10 or warmer where they can venture outside. From feb- March we then hunker down for a few really cold snaps and blizzards. In the summer, it gets really hot and we can get some wicked storms. They seem to take it all in stride.

 

[skylinepoultry]

I believe I'm going to down size my breed collection. I love them all but I need to really stay focused on specific breeds. Mainly Marradunas, Langshans, Wheaten Marans, La Fleche, Welsummers and of course all my projects. Being a preservationist can be daunting when your dealing with mass breeds. I'm so hooked on the Marradunas though. Never thought I'd have a favorite.

 

[SallyF]

If you do decide to downsize your breeds, I might be interested in the buckeyes. How many do you have? I'm not too far from you, in Van Buren county (as the Davy Crockett song says, we live on a mountain-top in Tennessee...). DH is intrigued by the buckeyes, since he's one (from Lima OH). Right now we have black sex-links (boring chickens who lay a lot, but that's what the 4-H kids sell), and mutts, most of whom have been fathered by buff rock roosters and who have been hatched by an Ameracauna broody who is getting on in years. I'm looking to eventually switch to an all-purpose breed that breeds true and will still go broody. I love watching mama hens raise chicks and don't want to mess around with incubators like some people do. We free-range our chickens during the day and close them up at night; need breeds that are cold-hardy. I'm fascinated with your pics and stories of the Basque chickens, so please keep posting!

 

[Skeffling Lavender Farm]

Quote:
I'm not so big on the cold weather either, but that pic of me in the squidoo article profile is me in my insulated coveralls on Christmas day 2009! I like to be toasty warm! You just dress for it. Pretty well if it is 5 degrees celcius or less so what say 40*F or less I am wearing them if we are out all day doing stuff in the barn. Growing up in England, I can cope with the damp, but when it gets really cold the damp goes and it is easier again, till it hits -20*C!!!

I think chickens make great pets and I have realized in this last year that I love them way more than my cat or dog and won't replace the dog or cat when they go unless it means a working animal that lives outside and keeps my chickens or their food safe! I never in a million years thought I would feel this way about a few cluckers to lay eggs. We have been so lucky in our breeds. I have always wanted to try Buckeyes, they are kind of like the Chantecler in usefeulness and hardiness too. I have heard only good things from those who have them.

We went from about 25 to 8 breeds this last year and was it ever hard. I want my Silver grey Dorkings back (so does hubby which surprised me as he was the one who needed us to downsize the most) and wheaten marans and Wellies .... maybe I'll have to get some eggs fro you Skyline when I am all set up at the new place. The black penedesencs are great for meat and eggs, but not the most adventurous or friendly, not like the Euskals! When we build our house after the next place, we can custom design out barn/coops for breeding and I have a funny feeling I still won't go to just one breed, though it totally would be EOs if I did! I know that now. I have some repainting of tractors to do this year, (and selling some too before the move) if I ever get to spend any time at home!

Thanks Susan, I am so glad I have a spare computer but since it was fioxed I never did anythign with it, so hopefully now I will have 2 setup how I want. And the iphone is Ok but the screen is so tiny, it is better for reading than typing! I'll try and get a generic power charger on my way home tomorrow night.

Our birds are in the big barn Nov to March-April too, even though we only heat the broody room, it is more sheltered than being outside, which we did do the first year with our chanties with a big tractor. It was more for our convenience that theirs that we moved them the barn, less snow to shovel! And they eat less in there!

 

[skylinepoultry]

Quote:
I'm not so big on the cold weather either, but that pic of me in the squidoo article profile is me in my insulated coveralls on Christmas day 2009! I like to be toasty warm! You just dress for it. Pretty well if it is 5 degrees celcius or less so what say 40*F or less I am wearing them if we are out all day doing stuff in the barn. Growing up in England, I can cope with the damp, but when it gets really cold the damp goes and it is easier again, till it hits -20*C!!!

I think chickens make great pets and I have realized in this last year that I love them way more than my cat or dog and won't replace the dog or cat when they go unless it means a working animal that lives outside and keeps my chickens or their food safe! I never in a million years thought I would feel this way about a few cluckers to lay eggs. We have been so lucky in our breeds. I have always wanted to try Buckeyes, they are kind of like the Chantecler in usefeulness and hardiness too. I have heard only good things from those who have them.

We went from about 25 to 8 breeds this last year and was it ever hard. I want my Silver grey Dorkings back (so does hubby which surprised me as he was the one who needed us to downsize the most) and wheaten marans and Wellies .... maybe I'll have to get some eggs fro you Skyline when I am all set up at the new place. The black penedesencs are great for meat and eggs, but not the most adventurous or friendly, not like the Euskals! When we build our house after the next place, we can custom design out barn/coops for breeding and I have a funny feeling I still won't go to just one breed, though it totally would be EOs if I did! I know that now. I have some repainting of tractors to do this year, (and selling some too before the move) if I ever get to spend any time at home!

Thanks Susan, I am so glad I have a spare computer but since it was fioxed I never did anythign with it, so hopefully now I will have 2 setup how I want. And the iphone is Ok but the screen is so tiny, it is better for reading than typing! I'll try and get a generic power charger on my way home tomorrow night.

Our birds are in the big barn Nov to March-April too, even though we only heat the broody room, it is more sheltered than being outside, which we did do the first year with our chanties with a big tractor. It was more for our convenience that theirs that we moved them the barn, less snow to shovel! And they eat less in there!

That reminds me to ask you about the strike. Whats up with that? Does that mean no mail runs period? Was you born in England and moved here? Sorry for the run together of questions.
I never thought in a million years Id be obsessed with chickens either. It was once just something to have for meat and eggs and pest control. But one day I was looking at my birds and started thinking, " I'd like to have that color on my better egg layers". That was it, I was hooked on poultry genetics and have been studying it ever since. Ive had alot of mishaps and screw ups along the way but Ive figured out the basics of colors and patterns and how to transfer them into other breeds without wasting to many years,lol. If I could live for 500 years Id never get tired of inventing new colors and patterns. I hate that you have to move Claire. I hate to move and told my wife this was gonna be our last move unless I had someone to move everything for me next time. I had to move almost every chicken house and pen by myself basically. We live so much further away from our family and friends that nobody wanted to travel the distance. Which I dont blame them. The move was for me to have all the birds I wanted anyways without having neighbors calling and telling me my bird was on their car pooping and scratching it up,lol. Thats another story,lol.. But all in all its been adjustment, thats for sure. 2 and half hour commutes back and forth just to get to a hardware store and lord help if I decide to look around and browse then its close to 3 and half hours before Im back home. But at least I get to have all the birds I want without someone going nutz on me. When ever your ready for eggs let me know and theyre yours. Ill post a pic of my Braden Buckeye roo. He is by far the best Buckeye roo Ive had yet. Cant go wrong with Braden Buckeyes. To bad he retired them. Now its up to me and a couple others to keep his line going. Thats one other breed that I will be keeping for sure. I'm gonna post some more pics of the Marradunas as well. I took these today to let you see how much more theyve developed. Ive noticed that they are growing quicker then my other breeds. Did yours grow fast too? On this pic of the Buckeye note his eyes, perfect proportion. Nice big shanks. Love them shanks! Beautiful color and such a thick meaty frame.

 

[skylinepoultry]

Heres Sarge. The wind was blowing his tail feathers and I thought it was a kewl pic. If he had teeth I dont think Id need a guard dog,lol. I'm just glad these birds are so docile because I'd hate to scrap with this guy. Look how big he has gotten at a little over 5 months now.

 

[BlackBart]

They are a big meaty bird.
My friend's Rooster was not docile but he was very potent the hatch rate ran around 99%.

 

[skylinepoultry]

Here some of the birds in the back part of the field we've been clearing out.