Euskal Oiloa ( Basque Thread)

[Cydney83]

Oh my, I am in LOVE with that speckled hen with the nice bowl shaped body. She is just STUNNING.

YOU have yellow leggs! I have to get pics of mine...tho they have white legs! oops post with pics! Sorry !

 

[sheilawagner]

I've been away from BYC for a couple of months, but in the time I've been gone, I've been successfully hatching and raising my EO batch of eggs. What got me interested in getting this breed was how curious and friendly they were, when I was reading through this thread. So many people posted pictures and told stories of their EOs being approachable and showing greater than normal bird intelligence and I just had to try them out. I love intelligent beings.

So here are some photos of my EOs, and proof that indeed, the stories about them are not exaggerated and they really are intelligent and curious little buggers.

I have a mixed flock, for eggs, for fun, for yard ornaments and for pets. So I needed a breed that was friendly and got along with everyone. That included my guard dogs, Airedale Terriers, Kimi and Rummy. These dogs helped raise the chickens and spent a heck a lot of time raising them as chicks and then later guarding them out in the property against hawks and other predators. My property is fenced in. So don't be alarmed with the following photos, I'm not trying to upset or traumatize the chickens, this is normal for us.


When my younger dog Rummy (and also the chief chicken nanny) comes into the chicken enclosure with me, to watch while I do chicken chores, the first ones to come over to say "HI big furry face with the black nose" are the EOs. Here you see an EO pullet, come over and perch herself on Rummy's front left paw, and she's literally sticking her face at him, wondering what's the matter... Really cute. Obviously, Rummy doesn't ever bring the chickens treats, I am the one who does that, but the EO is not scared of the freaking dog. Most of my other birds who are also raised by my dogs tend to stay along the sidelines. They hang around, but don't actively seek dog companionship.

Here, EO again, just snuggling with the Airedale nanny



I really fancy my EOs, each of them have unique speckling and they are so gorgeous to look at. They are now about 3 months old, still juveniles. None have started laying yet, but that's alright. They are growing up nicely, and are very friendly with all my other breeds, and I love to watch them prance around the yard.


Love the speckling and colors. It's like a kaleidascope of colors bursting on their bodies.


When I come in, they come running to see if I have special treats for them. This is one EO who comes right up to me, sticks her face close to have a good look at me, while I stoop down to take her picture.


Hang over that black thing, looks like a huge treat for me!!


I love silkies, they are predominantly my pets and I have many of them (as you can see). My EOs get along so well with my silkies. Silkies are not the smartest, fastest or best at anything, but they sure are cute. They don't see very well either, with all that hair covering their faces, which makes them easy targets for bullying, but none of my EOs are mean, none of them are bullying, and I really love that character trait about the EOs.


"Hello there chicken lady... any treats for me today?" EOs cuddling next to my silkies in the grow out pen.


Now my EOs and Silkies are all free ranging. This photo is of a cockerel I think. He is also one of my favorites. He walks nicely to me every time I come out. He doesn't pester, just lingers around me and waits patiently for treats. He is very gentle to everyone and hasn't started crowing yet, but I have high hopes for him being the alpha chicken. He is so handsome. Love his calm personality so far.

That's all folks. Till next time with more photo updates.

Cheers,
Sheila

 

[buckabucka]

Nice story and photos of your birds!

Mine are only 5 1/2 weeks old. I can't say I would use the word "friendly" with mine, but definitely curious. If I sit down in their enclosure, they do not come running and jump on me, as others have reported, but they do seem interested when I am doing chores. Usually when I go to close the door as I leave, I see that one has followed me. The roosters do not seem afraid of me, and will bite if I move them when they don't want to be moved.

I'm wondering if those with older birds have had trouble with aggression in the roosters? I did read about someone reporting the rooster bites her on the wrist and latches on. One of mine has already done that at 5 weeks! Are all the roosters like that?

Oh, and a note to Maggie'sdad and cjwaldron, - while It is not definitive, I am becoming more and more convinced that "Brownie" is a girl, so someone may have a moldy donut coming!

 

[ronott1]

I love the EO Basque Stories!

I have all of these types I think. One Rooster latches onto my finger and one pullet and rooster like to go for rides when I get their feed. The one that latches onto my finger does not seem mad or mean--I think he was telling me to get him his food. I laughed and got him his food. Hopefully he won't do that when he weight 9 pounds

. I do have 5 cockerels, so he may be one of the ones that becomes 4th of July BBQ.

Nice story and photos of your birds!

Mine are only 5 1/2 weeks old. I can't say I would use the word "friendly" with mine, but definitely curious. If I sit down in their enclosure, they do not come running and jump on me, as others have reported, but they do seem interested when I am doing chores. Usually when I go to close the door as I leave, I see that one has followed me. The roosters do not seem afraid of me, and will bite if I move them when they don't want to be moved.

I'm wondering if those with older birds have had trouble with aggression in the roosters? I did read about someone reporting the rooster bites her on the wrist and latches on. One of mine has already done that at 5 weeks! Are all the roosters like that?

Oh, and a note to Maggie'sdad and cjwaldron, - while It is not definitive, I am becoming more and more convinced that "Brownie" is a girl, so someone may have a moldy donut coming!

I've been away from BYC for a couple of months, but in the time I've been gone, I've been successfully hatching and raising my EO batch of eggs. What got me interested in getting this breed was how curious and friendly they were, when I was reading through this thread. So many people posted pictures and told stories of their EOs being approachable and showing greater than normal bird intelligence and I just had to try them out. I love intelligent beings.

So here are some photos of my EOs, and proof that indeed, the stories about them are not exaggerated and they really are intelligent and curious little buggers.

I have a mixed flock, for eggs, for fun, for yard ornaments and for pets. So I needed a breed that was friendly and got along with everyone. That included my guard dogs, Airedale Terriers, Kimi and Rummy. These dogs helped raise the chickens and spent a heck a lot of time raising them as chicks and then later guarding them out in the property against hawks and other predators. My property is fenced in. So don't be alarmed with the following photos, I'm not trying to upset or traumatize the chickens, this is normal for us.


When my younger dog Rummy (and also the chief chicken nanny) comes into the chicken enclosure with me, to watch while I do chicken chores, the first ones to come over to say "HI big furry face with the black nose" are the EOs. Here you see an EO pullet, come over and perch herself on Rummy's front left paw, and she's literally sticking her face at him, wondering what's the matter... Really cute. Obviously, Rummy doesn't ever bring the chickens treats, I am the one who does that, but the EO is not scared of the freaking dog. Most of my other birds who are also raised by my dogs tend to stay along the sidelines. They hang around, but don't actively seek dog companionship.

Here, EO again, just snuggling with the Airedale nanny



I really fancy my EOs, each of them have unique speckling and they are so gorgeous to look at. They are now about 3 months old, still juveniles. None have started laying yet, but that's alright. They are growing up nicely, and are very friendly with all my other breeds, and I love to watch them prance around the yard.


Love the speckling and colors. It's like a kaleidascope of colors bursting on their bodies.


When I come in, they come running to see if I have special treats for them. This is one EO who comes right up to me, sticks her face close to have a good look at me, while I stoop down to take her picture.


Hang over that black thing, looks like a huge treat for me!!


I love silkies, they are predominantly my pets and I have many of them (as you can see). My EOs get along so well with my silkies. Silkies are not the smartest, fastest or best at anything, but they sure are cute. They don't see very well either, with all that hair covering their faces, which makes them easy targets for bullying, but none of my EOs are mean, none of them are bullying, and I really love that character trait about the EOs.


"Hello there chicken lady... any treats for me today?" EOs cuddling next to my silkies in the grow out pen.


Now my EOs and Silkies are all free ranging. This photo is of a cockerel I think. He is also one of my favorites. He walks nicely to me every time I come out. He doesn't pester, just lingers around me and waits patiently for treats. He is very gentle to everyone and hasn't started crowing yet, but I have high hopes for him being the alpha chicken. He is so handsome. Love his calm personality so far.

That's all folks. Till next time with more photo updates.

Cheers,
Sheila

 

[Maggiesdad]

Great looking birds, Sheila!

 

[1muttsfan]

Love your pictures Shiela. I have a few of those calico-looking birds too, still waiting for them to announce whether a pullet or cockerel. No one has bitten me (yet), and I have a few that are very friendly, to the point of enjoying being picked up and petted. Others seem more wary, but still curious.

 

[ronott1]

Love your pictures Shiela. I have a few of those calico-looking birds too, still waiting for them to announce whether a pullet or cockerel. No one has bitten me (yet), and I have a few that are very friendly, to the point of enjoying being picked up and petted. Others seem more wary, but still curious.

The thing about these guys is they behave differently from other breeds I have raised. The one Cockerel that likes to go with me to get food was perched on my arm. He started to fall and latched onto my glasses to hold on(the glasses were clipped to my shirt). He did not chirp or complain, just steadied himself. He did this several times. When I set him down by the feed bag, he happily staid there, eating a bit of the spilled feed. When the feeder was full, he jumped onto my arm and I took him to the hutch and put him back in.

He is a good candidate for breeding.

Ron

 

[ronott1]

I took my Roosters out to the front yard this evening. They are 6 weeks old tomorrow and were hatched on Easter Weekend.



This is Rooster 1 from the front:



Rooster 1 from the side:



Rooster 2 From the front:



Rooster 2 from the side:



Rooster 3 from the front:



Rooster 3 From the Side



Rooster 4 from the front:



Rooster 4 from the side:



Rooster 5 from the front with attitude:



Rooster 5 from the side(ok it's still the front) with so much attitude I thought he was going to break his neck:



Those are my Roosters. I don't know which one or two I will keep. Probably Rooster 1 and 4 but I can't make a decision yet. I might need to soon though.

Ron

 

[naturespace]

3 & 4 look like they have nice coloring. They look a lot like my roo that I'm probably keeping.
1 looks nice too. I think you will have to wait for awhile before deciding. All three seem to have yellow legs too.
Thanks for sharing, it's fun to see everyone.

 

[ronott1]

3 & 4 look like they have nice coloring. They look a lot like my roo that I'm probably keeping.
1 looks nice too. I think you will have to wait for awhile before deciding. All three seem to have yellow legs too.
Thanks for sharing, it's fun to see everyone.

Yes, Rooster 3 is my buddy- the one that goes to get the feed with me. I was sitting down about 10 feet from them and they were having fun scratching and eating grass. Rooster 3 saw me and ran up to me, jumped up to my arm and wanted me to pet him. He stayed there and started eating the grass. Friendliest 6 week old yet. If I keep him I will have to let my daughter name him. Ok, he will probably have a name by tomorrow.

One of my neighbors was out and was surprised that they did not run out into the street. I don't think she has ever seen hand raised chicks before. TV and Movies makes it seem like all chickens are wild and crazy. By the way, how come none of the contestants on survivor know to look for the chickens roosting in the trees at night? Drives me crazy...