Euskal Oiloa ( Basque Thread)

[beverly evans]

Heres some pics of my 5 month old Marraduna Basque (aka Euskal Oiloa)

Ohhhh, I want some! They are lovely; I especially like the grayish ones. What hatchery has them? Who sells them? Someone in Tenn. had some "imperfects" for pickup. Didn't mention eggs or chicks. : )

 

[beverly evans]

Thank you Deann for your opinion and for producing these two beautiful boys. I'm going to try and hold onto them for as long as possible (as long as there is peace with my other rooster or until I can sell my other rooster). My broody is still sitting on the 6 basque eggs you gave me and they are due to hatch by Monday so figures crossed I get some beautiful girls to go along with these boys.

Anyone know what hatchery handles these gorgeous birds? I don't care to show and really like the ones that don't fit the so called standard, those that are more gray than golden in color. I guess I will have to settle for eggs and just see what I get. THX

 

[ronott1]

Anyone know what hatchery handles these gorgeous birds? I don't care to show and really like the ones that don't fit the so called standard, those that are more gray than golden in color. I guess I will have to settle for eggs and just see what I get. THX

They are not sold by hatcheries. Green Fire used to sell them but does not have them any more. They are available from breeders--find one close to you and send them a PM.

James Meeks used to sell them but it looks like his website has not been updated in a long time and he does not respond to pms or emails. Deanne(just struttin) and Maggies Dad may be able to help you though.

 

[Maggiesdad]

The pullets look like mine - lots of pinched tails! Is this a norm for this breed? I have other breeds that have better "tents" for tails.

No, pinched rears are undesirable for any breed. My original hens were decent, but none of my roosters had good frame qualities. Plus they were mean as snakes. It will take several years to get them straightened out.

Do she has a booty?! LOL Looking for something more along these lines...


I'd love to hatch about 200 chicks this year to have some to pick from.

 

[OR4-hmom]

The pullets from my first hatch have the "gamy" tail appearance. They are wider than my hatchery stock layers, it's to soon to know how the boy from Megan will grow out but I can hope for a wide frame on him to improve width. The pullets aren't as narrow as their tail makes them appear.

 

[juststruttin]

A few of this years youngsters... 28wks, all in lay.

Great looking flock!!!

 

[juststruttin]

The pullets look like mine - lots of pinched tails! Is this a norm for this breed? I have other breeds that have better "tents" for tails.

Yes, from all the photos I have seen of the beed they all tend to have a pinched tails. I have not found anything in the standard that talks specifically about the tail or back other than the slope and tail angle.

The conformation of the Basque reminds me of a meat birds, but the Basque are surprisingly good layers. Birds with pinched tails are typically not good layers, but that sure is not the case with the basque.

The Basque have only been in the US for a short period of time and yes they need work. Most have serious cosmetic faults including white legs and ear lobes. The most obvious structural faults are flat chests and pinched tails. I think the key to raising Basque for any serious breeder will be to hatch lots and lots of chicks and reserve only a limited number for breeding.

It is impossible to work on every fault at once so I assume different breeders will work on different faults. This year I culled all birds with white legs or ear lobes. I then grew out the remaining birds to 5 months and selected for nicest chests. I may select for nice chests again next year and then start working on a broader back. I think the key is to have 1-2 goals a year and not try to fix everything at once.

 

[1muttsfan]

List of some breeders -

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/706180/basque-euskal-oiloa-breeder-list/10#post_11939907

 

[Flat Rock farm]

A few of this years youngsters... 28wks, all in lay.

Well I already made my comment on the "other" forum. They are..........

 

[Maggiesdad]

Well I already made my comment on the "other" forum. They are..........

If I could get them up to the size of Amblecroft's girls, that would be something! Hey I weighed Whitey last night, he's 8lb 12oz @ 23weeks!