Euskal Oiloa ( Basque Thread)

[1muttsfan]

Local chicken classes available here

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/732985/csu-chicken-state-university-large-fowl-sop

 

[naturespace]

Ashandvine,

Euskal Oiloa was a landrace in Spain. They choose to breed towards an SOP for several different varieties. Marraduna is just one.

When EOs were brought to North America, there was only a handful of birds. Over the years these birds, we believe, were crossed with other breeds to introduce a more diverse gene pool. One of these breeds was Penedesenca, another Spanish breed. I think this is where the millie pattern, side sprigs and white legs are coming from.

Ideally what we would like to do it get birds from Spain again and have a select few work on getting our gene pool pure and diverse. This has proven difficult. (I personally haven't tried, but I know of others who have in US and Canada)

I also love the millies and their personalities. I hate the small size of the birds, some of the rooster behavior issues and the leg problems with hatching.

I'm enjoying my birds as they are and not trying to breed them to a standard. I'm leaving the preservation of the breed to others with more passion and patience.

 

[ronott1]

Ashandvine,

Euskal Oiloa was a landrace in Spain. They choose to breed towards an SOP for several different varieties. Marraduna is just one.

When EOs were brought to North America, there was only a handful of birds. Over the years these birds, we believe, were crossed with other breeds to introduce a more diverse gene pool. One of these breeds was Penedesenca, another Spanish breed. I think this is where the millie pattern, side sprigs and white legs are coming from.

Ideally what we would like to do it get birds from Spain again and have a select few work on getting our gene pool pure and diverse. This has proven difficult. (I personally haven't tried, but I know of others who have in US and Canada)

I also love the millies and their personalities. I hate the small size of the birds, some of the rooster behavior issues and the leg problems with hatching.

I'm enjoying my birds as they are and not trying to breed them to a standard. I'm leaving the preservation of the breed to others with more passion and patience.

My Mille, Leela, lays a fairly dark egg too!

 

[ddpbk1]

Both were packed amazingly. None broke and 3 extra from each buyer. The Texas ones were bigger in size and the ones that haven't hatched and don't look like they will are the bigger ones. The smaller ones all hatched from both groups. Definetly something to considered when keeping notes.

 

[ronott1]

Both were packed amazingly. None broke and 3 extra from each buyer. The Texas ones were bigger in size and the ones that haven't hatched and don't look like they will are the bigger ones. The smaller ones all hatched from both groups. Definetly something to considered when keeping notes.

I have been reading posts about bigger eggs not doing well with shipping--They are hurt more somehow.

I have read recommendations that said Large to X large eggs hatch best. Small, Med and Jumbo do not hatch as well.

 

[BayWest Farm]

Hello, Now that my flock is about a year old, I would like to take my best rooster ( if I have one ) and my best hen and put them together and see what I get. Here is what I think is my best rooster, He may be a little light in color and maybe a little too much yellow, But I would like to get your opinion. It seems that my whole flock is all over the place color wise.
Thanks John

 

[ashandvine]

Mottle and Mille Fleur are based on the mottle gene (Mo/mo), with additional modifiers to enhance or restrict color. Since it is recessive, meaning that birds with mottling are mo/mo, it could easily be removed visually, but not so easily genetically. you could have birds that carried it but did not appear mottled (Mo/mo). It could be removed similar to the way white legs can be bred out quickly by crossing to a yellow-legged bird. So if you had and excellent hen, she could be crossed with a normal-color rooster and would be expected to have chicks that did not show a mottle pattern.

Clearly you know genetics like I wish I did. I have a question: If I have a cockerel and pullet who express Mille Fleur then what are the chances of them producing MF offspring? Does MF function like Lavender in the BBS?

Thank you for the gentle push to do what I pleases me. I am familiar with working with breeds that have had to be out-crossed and messed up because of it. I am beginning to think I might just keep these as 'pet' chickens for their eggs and lawn adornment. I am not having any issues with aggression in either of the two older cockerels here. The pullets are neither as friendly as I would expect, but I don't keep mean birds and handle mine often so maybe my standards aren't the same as someone with 'feral' chickens. Having Marans has jaded me to anything laying a dark egg but the EO does lay a pretty terra cotta one.

Ashandvine,

Euskal Oiloa was a landrace in Spain. They choose to breed towards an SOP for several different varieties. Marraduna is just one.

When EOs were brought to North America, there was only a handful of birds. Over the years these birds, we believe, were crossed with other breeds to introduce a more diverse gene pool. One of these breeds was Penedesenca, another Spanish breed. I think this is where the millie pattern, side sprigs and white legs are coming from.

Ideally what we would like to do it get birds from Spain again and have a select few work on getting our gene pool pure and diverse. This has proven difficult. (I personally haven't tried, but I know of others who have in US and Canada)

I also love the millies and their personalities. I hate the small size of the birds, some of the rooster behavior issues and the leg problems with hatching.

I'm enjoying my birds as they are and not trying to breed them to a standard. I'm leaving the preservation of the breed to others with more passion and patience.

I was aware of some of this information, though I own my novice status plainly with this breed. Thank you for our understanding. Normally I am a person who strives for standards and wants quality in my own flock but ...

Hope I am not unwelcome because I am a fan of the MF pattern.

 

[naturespace]

Hope I am not unwelcome because I am a fan of the MF pattern.

I'm sorry if made you feel that way. All are welcome. We love this breed with or without SOP. I have one girl that is close to the SOP, but none of mine are really breeders. I love my Millie girl best. She is always ready for a treat. Greedy girl .

Please keep loving your birds and telling others about how great they are.

 

[Maggiesdad]

Hope I am not unwelcome because I am a fan of the MF pattern.

Please don't feel unwelcome! If you've been doing your homework, you know that multi colored birds are more difficult than single colors.

 

[Maggiesdad]

Hey John, coupla questions... (Just a starter list!

)

what do your other EOs look like?

What do you plan on doing with them?

Are you familiar with the Spanish Standard for the Euskal Oiloa?