Euskal Oiloa ( Basque Thread)

[Meg2000000]

Good times yesterday! Got to meet up with Flat Rock Farm, Skeffling Lavender Farm, Lindylou, Haplessrunner, Rebcat and many other EO owners that don't hang out on forums. I was stuck to my truck, - Laingcroft, sorry I didn't get a chance to meet you! Claire of SLF reports her original Basque hen is still laying well in this her fifth year.

Good to know and another plus for this great breed.
It's kinda neat how Basque Hens bring cool people together!

How fun! Wish I could have gone!

Updated pictures of mine.

Beautiful pictures!

 

[ashandvine]

Claire of SLF reports her original Basque hen is still laying well in this her fifth year.

Good to know and another plus for this great breed.
It's kinda neat how Basque Hens bring cool people together!

I find this a little amusing and I know Maggiesdad will take this the right way: the idea that hens don't lay well past year three is one that has been created by the multitudes of industrial egg birds sold through hatcheries. They do burn out pretty quickly but it is quite normal for a well bred bird to lay well up to year seven, and some up to years 10. They lay regularly and not everyday, but they do lay eggs well. I find that our mind set about birds has been much more shaped by industry than we realize. The idea that a bird must be bigger to be more meaty has been one thing I fell prey to. Look at the 'measuring stick" of meat, the Cornish. They are not a big bird. Similarly, the Basque is not a large bird, but the wider breast and heavy muscle weight of them is what makes them more successful as a dual purpose breed than say an Ameraucana. Another note, if you don't mine me going on (sorry if you do) 'friendly' is part of how you raise them. There are lines of birds that are nicer and some breeds that are more inclined to be easy and gentle but if you don't handle them and build a relationship it won't be there just because the bird is a specific breed. If we continue to measure breeds by Cornish Cross and Industrial Egg Laying standards I believe it will be impossible to really promote any breeds well. But that is just my little old five cents.

 

[Maggiesdad]

I find this a little amusing and I know Maggiesdad will take this the right way: the idea that hens don't lay well past year three is one that has been created by the multitudes of industrial egg birds sold through hatcheries. They do burn out pretty quickly but it is quite normal for a well bred bird to lay well up to year seven, and some up to years 10. They lay regularly and not everyday, but they do lay eggs well. I find that our mind set about birds has been much more shaped by industry than we realize. The idea that a bird must be bigger to be more meaty has been one thing I fell prey to. Look at the 'measuring stick" of meat, the Cornish. They are not a big bird. Similarly, the Basque is not a large bird, but the wider breast and heavy muscle weight of them is what makes them more successful as a dual purpose breed than say an Ameraucana. Another note, if you don't mine me going on (sorry if you do) 'friendly' is part of how you raise them. There are lines of birds that are nicer and some breeds that are more inclined to be easy and gentle but if you don't handle them and build a relationship it won't be there just because the bird is a specific breed. If we continue to measure breeds by Cornish Cross and Industrial Egg Laying standards I believe it will be impossible to really promote any breeds well. But that is just my little old five cents.

I'll stand corrected if I'm wrong!

I really don't have any experience at all raising - much less breeding - chickens. I do find it fascinating, and my whole family is benefiting in multiple ways from the process. I will say I have noticed a difference in the behavior of the Basque hens over Black Australorps, Barred Rocks, Easter Eggers and various crosses I have made so far. Of the three types of birds I sold last fall, only the Basque owners sought me out at a local swap yesterday to relate glowing reports and to purchase more pullets. YMMV.

 

[ashandvine]

I wasn't really trying to correct you. Lines of birds do have different temperaments and some breeds are easier than others. No doubt. Just conveying how we are taught without even realizing it. What YMMV?

 

[Maggiesdad]

Your mileage may vary

 

[LavendarFeather]

Is there anyone in Southern California who might have a Basque Cockerel to rehome? My only cockerel is white :-(

 

[ashandvine]

Your mileage may vary

I am "chicken banking" my most SOP pair. They are going to a friend's place. She wanted a cock/erel and a few more layers, and I need to be down a few. The dark one I posted who was dubbed is my fave so he stays, along with the Mille Fleur cockerel and pullet. I have quite a few basque eggs in the bator. Let's see what happens.

 

[Flat Rock farm]

Good times yesterday! Got to meet up with Flat Rock Farm, Skeffling Lavender Farm, Lindylou, Haplessrunner, Rebcat and many other EO owners that don't hang out on forums. I was stuck to my truck, - Laingcroft, sorry I didn't get a chance to meet you! Claire of SLF reports her original Basque hen is still laying well in this her fifth year.

Good to know and another plus for this great breed.
It's kinda neat how Basque Hens bring cool people together!

We had a blast was good see some familiar faces again and to meet new ones. Your right MD it is neat how Basque Hens bring cool people together, well chicken folks in general. Was a long drive for us Northern folks but was well worth it for the conversation and fellowship.

 

[Autom]

I'm wondering if this is a basque. Recently acquired them from a home with communal chickens. She's now the top hen in the flock, whereas her sister is the bottom.

 

[OR4-hmom]

Completely new at basques but I would guess no, because of leg color.