Euskal Oiloa ( Basque Thread)

[skylinepoultry]

We took a break from the heat and went to Ocoee. My boyz were enjoying the ice cold water. I didn't realize we lived so close! Havnt really got to get away from all the work with our new facilities since we moved out here but starting to learn our way around. The Cherokee Forrest is at our front porch. Its stunning once you stop to take a look around. Now back to work!

 

[Skeffling Lavender Farm]

I love all these pictures! Looks like you are all having a whale of a time.

Skyline, I totally understand what you mean when when you say they are studying you. I agree! It is very seldom if you are around them, that they are not looking at or watching you! They seems to be very aware of whether you are around compared to some breeds. They have to really be in the thick of something exciting not to. It is a pleasure to be able to know, write about and share these chickens! Hang in there HidddenHill. It will be worth the wait! We have found them vigourous eggs/chicks and barring major shipping mishandling seem to travel and hatch well. The eggs are a good size even for the pullets so the chicks end up big.

Yesterday I went to a Poultry Seminar up here ,and Poultry judges Mark Camilleri and Paul Kroll were kind enough to share their expertise with us. I got some breeding pointers, but one of the other participants, a new chicken keeper since April, got a dozen EO eggs from me last month, she has hatched 10 babies and love them. She said she can't believe how friendly they are (she got Australorp and New Hampshires Chicks from a show breeder the month before) and can't believe the difference. She says (and we know this Skyline) they all come running and gather round her hand and if she puts it out flat then hop up on it to sit there.

Here's a couple more pics
On of the Broody Partridge Chantecler Mommas with one Euskal Oiloa, the brown ones are chanteclers too, and the Lavenders are pink legs-Orpingtons, and dark legs Ameraucanas. Total easter colour scheme!

Blondie (left) and one of her 1 year old daughters. They were mooching around downstairs in the barn (where the roosters are in their runs) and hopped up on the manger to get to me when they saw me

 

[skylinepoultry]

Quote:
Claire, By this time next year this Basque thread will be hopping! After people start raising these wonderful birds they'll be talking about how smart and friendly they are among a ton of other things. Is your Chantecler hen mothering all those chicks?

 

[skylinepoultry]

Looking good! There starting to really fill out.

 

[skylinepoultry]

Claire, How are you getting your pictures so large on here? Mine stay so small.

 

[skylinepoultry]

 

[Skeffling Lavender Farm]

Great! I am so glad these birds are getting exposure! What a handsome roo you have there!

I have two hens communally raising 12 chicks. I actually had 4 hens sitting at the last. One is a bit batty when you try to move her so she got to sit on the last egg which didn't hatch, else I would have had the three hens in. There is another chantecler hen with 3 babies that are 3-4 weeks old now. The 2 hens fluff up beside each other and make a huge Momma unit that all the babies get under, it's very cute. We only ever let a lavender Duccle brood and she only had one chick so it is neat to see the dynamics of this little group.

 

[reereechickens]

Hi Skylinepoultry! I just PM'ed you for your waiting list.

 

[skylinepoultry]

 

[Skeffling Lavender Farm]

Great Reereechickens, I really hope you like them. They are a neat breed. Looks like you figured it out Skyline! I just upload them into photobucket and don't change the size or anything! I love to see them all scratching around! Mine were doing that this afternoon....