Quote:
I have sell the survivors, first.
I have no idea what the deal is....they are beautiful, too.
This last pullet I lost had the cutest little face with the fullest beard.
Hello Heather, Am so sorry about your lovely Favarolles. N.Eastern Washington does have greater weather swings than our side.... I love mine and have had a few losses through the last 4 years. I noticed they are not the best, particularly bantams for mixed groups. They seem to stress and are easily intimidated, not so pushy as others breeds may be or fight back as others might..... I just lost a bantam roo because i had him in with a fav. mix hen with chicks.( Not Blue-Jeanine)...i realized too late that she was a great mom but possessive of everything especially water( father Fav./mom java mix). He had good weight but when it got warmer, she kept him from the water. I also lost a few incubated chicks when i placed them with an established broodies get.....Possibly weren't hardened to the weird hot cold weather wer'e having like hers and wouldn't venture out to eat as easily as the hen hatched, had to bring the remainder back inside under lamp. Same with some Dorking chicks. Read somewhere they like more space than some other breeds...don't know.
Perhaps in general they have become bred too close and we can do with some good outcross blood. I love their personable gentleness as a breed & have had a group with mult LF/Bantam Fav. roos with no problem. I don't think this trait helps with their survival. I hope You don't give up.
eliz
I'm down to just two boys and three girls. I have 20+ eggs in the 'bator I have to candle tonight, as well....two different lines....I am hoping to be able to keep a pair, at least or all 5 of the surviving chicks. They are all in together (only favs and all the same hatch)--in the brooder now....but I'm not going to hold my breath with these, either.
Hello Heather, Am so sorry about your lovely Favarolles. N.Eastern Washington does have greater weather swings than our side.... I love mine and have had a few losses through the last 4 years. I noticed they are not the best, particularly bantams for mixed groups. They seem to stress and are easily intimidated, not so pushy as others breeds may be or fight back as others might..... I just lost a bantam roo because i had him in with a fav. mix hen with chicks.( Not Blue-Jeanine)...i realized too late that she was a great mom but possessive of everything especially water( father Fav./mom java mix). He had good weight but when it got warmer, she kept him from the water. I also lost a few incubated chicks when i placed them with an established broodies get.....Possibly weren't hardened to the weird hot cold weather wer'e having like hers and wouldn't venture out to eat as easily as the hen hatched, had to bring the remainder back inside under lamp. Same with some Dorking chicks. Read somewhere they like more space than some other breeds...don't know.
Perhaps in general they have become bred too close and we can do with some good outcross blood. I love their personable gentleness as a breed & have had a group with mult LF/Bantam Fav. roos with no problem. I don't think this trait helps with their survival. I hope You don't give up.
eliz
I'm down to just two boys and three girls. I have 20+ eggs in the 'bator I have to candle tonight, as well....two different lines....I am hoping to be able to keep a pair, at least or all 5 of the surviving chicks. They are all in together (only favs and all the same hatch)--in the brooder now....but I'm not going to hold my breath with these, either.
