Euskal Oiloa ( Basque Thread)

[skylinepoultry]

Very few people have never even heard of an Euskal Oiloa, including myself at one time. I figured them to be another run of the mill bird. But knowing me I had to give them a try. Once I realized what I had, I had to share them with people so they could see what they were missing. This thread is to let people know that there is a true homesteaders bird out there that is very hardy and vigorous. Something that has no fear of roaming the land to forage and lay lots of big beautiful eggs. I dedicated myself to this breed. I've downsized my stock of a lot other breed drastically to let this breed flourish here in the States for others to enjoy and to finally have a productive bird that serves a purpose. Learn about this breed and enjoy what it has to offer.

 

[RustyHen]

I'm lurking and studying up on them for sure, I have been on the Basque site and saw all the diffrent colors, very wonderful! But like the Marra's the best.
Maybe come spring time

 

[skylinepoultry]

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They'll be waiting for ya. Did you ever look on the EO site for North America? If not, just look below this and you'll see the link.

 

[Maggiesdad]

Got my eggs today, Skyline!

They arrived looking great - there's some whoppers in there.
Thanks so much - I don't know who's fired up more, me or the kids!
I'll keep you posted...

 

[skylinepoultry]

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Awesome! These eggs are getting bigger by the day. Can't wait to see pics of the chicks. I believe I'm fired up more ,lol.

 

[skylinepoultry]

Newest member to the family. Anybody ever heard of a Chug? She's a mix between a Chihuahua and a Pug. So cute! We had to have her..

 

[Young Heritage]

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That is a very cute puppy. Can't wait to meet her in person, you too of course.

I like dogs as much as chickens

 

[skylinepoultry]

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That is a very cute puppy. Can't wait to meet her in person, you too of course.

I like dogs as much as chickens

Thank you Stacey. Hopefully it will be here soon. I'm also looking for a German Sheperd puppy. Been wanting a German Shepard for years and now have a chance to own one.

 

[Skeffling Lavender Farm]

Cute Pup!

As far as eggs, the first year they are about 5 for 7 days if good day length and sometimes we'll get 7 for 7, but that's not every day. Like any heritage, molt or shorter day length and they slow. Egg size is XL, we used to get rainbow eggs, choc, blue green white, brown graded to sell in a store and I always had a tray of their eggs as the only XLs with the odd green easter egger egg in with them.

These numbers are only from collecting hatching eggs when they have been in a breeding tractor in the winter and Spring, by June they go free. I have Lav orps and BLRWS and the odd partridge Chanty that exerts itself than can lay a similar egg though the EOs are usually not speckled and much glossier. I actually haven't been keeping track with them all free ranging together, midwinter we get maybe 3-4 a week per hen if they are inside a darkish barn with a little light.

As far as cold, they do OK for a single comber. If we get to -20 celcius (no idea what that is in Fs) they will get nipped on the comb tips, but we don't heat their barn and it is actually quite drafty near a wide open cattle doorway where the one roo was last year. He was the first and only in 3 years to lose all his points at -25 C and the eggs were fertile the whole time, he didn't stop treading the hens. On our Euskal Forum, a Basque member has posted some awesome videos of the country and you can see why they are so hardy. It is rugged there and they have snow in the mountains. We have Black Penedesencas that are also pretty vigorous and not bad in the cold, we found Andalusians suffered more with wattles and comb. Some of the members on the forum are in Saskachewan and Northern Alberta and way colder than here. I think they heat their barns to just above zero. They could answer more on extremes. My 3 1/2 year old roo still has his points and I don't think he lost any last year, though he did 2 years before whee they were free ranging in the same covered area, and it was -30C day or two so not walking on the snow but open to the outside air.

These birds are pretty smart, even the young ones. I took them some scratch yesterday in a blue scoop, usually it's in my hand or another bucket. I left the scoop out there on the ground and when I picked it up this morning (empty) I had a little procession following me back to the house looking at it. They are about 8 weeks now. They know if you have a bag or a bowl and where you came from with it and how you are holding it, though they are always hopeful it's food. They are Lav Ameraucana (very flighty) broody raised so these are not as tame as before, but I have 3 young roos that will get on my knee, the girls will be easy to tame when they are inside this winter. They all get tamer every day as they stop listening to the hens. They come running when they see you or hear the door slam as you come out of the house.

You won't be sorry you tried these. I love them and have 2 of my original 3 I got in 2008. The colours vary, they are more a race than a breed and we have a ways to go, but they are something else. We have had 40+ breeds, and my other faves are my sumatras (inquisitive, smart, calculating but affectionate when they want - like a cat) and D'uccles, love to be near you, on you, talking to your face. These are somewhere in between but way more productive. If you've had McMurrays SPW, they are similar temperament, will peck dirt off your clothes, and shoelaces etc even when babies, and love to be near you. Hope that gives more insight.

Here's an article with some baby pics

http://www.infobarrel.com/Euskal_Oi..._Basque_Hen_Chicken_Breed_Euskal_Oiloa_Oiloas

And this is what they do.....they look at the you and the camera, taken yesterday

 

[skylinepoultry]

Great post Claire! Hopefully we'll be seeing some new pics of some EO chicks on here in the next couple days.