Faverolles Thread

[n8ivetxn]

I had concerns about mixing them with my flock, but so far they've done fine.... I have 2 Ameracaunas and 2 French Marans. Now my SFs outnumber the others!

The Ameracaunas are ruthless biddies, in my opinion, but they don't attack - mostly they don't let anyone in the coop when they lay or around the feeder when they eat, but I have multiple water/feed spots... At night, they all share the roosting spots, I have plenty of those too...

The French Marans are busy raising kids right now, so they're a little uptight toward everyone, but I expect that to go away...

My Favs have not lost any weight or had blood drawn, they lay regularly and seem in good spirits, healthy and vigorous.... Myabe I just got lucky

I think part of it was because when I introduced the SFs, I made a lot of changes - to distract the other birds, sort of... I was aware of potential problems. We just built the new coop, so everybody was new to it - then I adjusted the "furnishings" inside and changed the bedding to throw off odors, etc.... and the chicks hatched, so the broodies were in there too.... Quite a ruckous! It was a great time to integrate new birds.

 

[KMHunter]

I had concerns about mixing them with my flock, but so far they've done fine.... I have 2 Ameracaunas and 2 French Marans. Now my SFs outnumber the others!

The Ameracaunas are ruthless biddies, in my opinion, but they don't attack - mostly they don't let anyone in the coop when they lay or around the feeder when they eat, but I have multiple water/feed spots... At night, they all share the roosting spots, I have plenty of those too...

The French Marans are busy raising kids right now, so they're a little uptight toward everyone, but I expect that to go away...

My Favs have not lost any weight or had blood drawn, they lay regularly and seem in good spirits, healthy and vigorous.... Myabe I just got lucky

I think part of it was because when I introduced the SFs, I made a lot of changes - to distract the other birds, sort of... I was aware of potential problems. We just built the new coop, so everybody was new to it - then I adjusted the "furnishings" inside and changed the bedding to throw off odors, etc.... and the chicks hatched, so the broodies were in there too.... Quite a ruckous! It was a great time to integrate new birds.

That is my plan. I have things to add to the run and I will do a full clean out of the coop, and add more feed and watering stations. Plus I have a Fav Cockerel that I hope will grow up and help with the pecking order.

Here's to hoping for the best.

 

[annabell254]

Also, mine tend to segregate into species groups, even when I just have two of that type! when they free-range...they still take naps together but when foraging...they are all mostly separate??? is this odd??? I have always though so

 

[poularde]

My birds do separate into groups according to breed. My birds are free ranging. The Favs grew up with other breeds. They had a Barred Rock roo who loved them. When I removed the Rock rooster the hens started to get picked on. I have quite a few different breeds. My two Orpington girls would not leave them alone. My very sweet Araucana rooster who is such a gentlemen to the ladies started attacking them. He was not trying to mate with them he would just attack them. At my mom's place the Favs did just fine for a good six months and then one of her Marans hen started attacking her Fav hens. They seem to be fine with my mom's Ameracauna and Orloff hens.

You can try them with other breeds just watch them.

 

[ImperialAcres]

We are wanting large fowl, mostly. I hadn't really considered bantams much, as my understanding is the eggs are pretty small (as one would expect from a smaller bird). I do intend to have multiple coops, so each breed will have it's own space. Upon reading into Faverolles, I realized right away that would likely be a necessity for them anyway, due to their sweet, and nonaggressive personalities. Even more so when I take into account that we are wanting to get some Jersey Giants, and it becomes even more important. I would like to work with the Giants and help develop good blue and splash varieties.

I am very familiar with breeding ethics, and breeding for specific traits in horses and fish, so helping to develop strains is something I would be interested in. I have a scientific bend anyway, and a healthy interest in genetics. My only thing is that I'm new to chickens, so I would want to make sure I have all the kinks worked out before I got rarer birds. I tend to get really attached to my animals, and it would kill me if I lost special ones due to my own lack of experience. It's one of the reasons I tend to do a huge amount of research before I choose and purchase animals. I want them to be with us for the long haul, and I want everything to be perfect for them.

 

[n8ivetxn]

Wow, how interesting - and brutal... Right now, the only mature roo I have is a Blue Copper FM, he's a good guy..... he's new around the SF girls, since their man went to the freezer, he's been introduced to them. He's very curious and watches them! I think they like him, they tend to stay close to him and walk right up to him...they're learning his calls, he was feeding them treats yesterday. I was glad to see it. - It'll be a few months before any of my boys are ready to replace the SF roo.

I'm always visiting the "redneck aquarium!" They can't do anything without me knowing about it

(what does that say about me?:-D

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

We are wanting large fowl, mostly. I hadn't really considered bantams much, as my understanding is the eggs are pretty small (as one would expect from a smaller bird). I do intend to have multiple coops, so each breed will have it's own space. Upon reading into Faverolles, I realized right away that would likely be a necessity for them anyway, due to their sweet, and nonaggressive personalities. Even more so when I take into account that we are wanting to get some Jersey Giants, and it becomes even more important. I would like to work with the Giants and help develop good blue and splash varieties.

I am very familiar with breeding ethics, and breeding for specific traits in horses and fish, so helping to develop strains is something I would be interested in. I have a scientific bend anyway, and a healthy interest in genetics. My only thing is that I'm new to chickens, so I would want to make sure I have all the kinks worked out before I got rarer birds. I tend to get really attached to my animals, and it would kill me if I lost special ones due to my own lack of experience. It's one of the reasons I tend to do a huge amount of research before I choose and purchase animals. I want them to be with us for the long haul, and I want everything to be perfect for them.

Depends on the variety as to egg size. My b/b/s lay smaller eggs, but I'm also working on getting the birds smaller, so that's a side effect of those efforts I think. My buff project birds lay huge eggs for bantams, nearly the size of a store bought large egg. None of my bantam Favs lay OE size eggs, they are all much larger than that. When you crack them in a pan, they are very comparable to a store bought egg.

 

[KMHunter]

I am going to give integration a try, but I am thinking I am very willing to get rid of most of my current flock and replace them with the favs I have got now. And add to it in the spring.

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

I just want to say one thing to all the newcomers on here, talking about hatching eggs vs hatchery birds, etc...

It is true that hatchery birds in ANY breed are going to be of lesser quality than birds from a private breeder, but it seems that the differences are MUCH more noticeable in the Faverolles than other breeds. And I don't only mean color. Size is a HUGE problem in hatchery Favs, as well as temperament. If you want to get a few Fav pullets from a hatchery for eggs, fine, but realize that they are NOT going to give you a true idea of what the breed really is in any aspect. And if you are planning on raising Faverolles in the future, as a general rule, PLEASE do not breed from hatchery stock. This is a breed that needs conservation, and using poor specimens of the breed is not the way to do that.

I'm not pinpointing anyone specific, just making a general statement.

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

I am going to give integration a try, but I am thinking I am very willing to get rid of most of my current flock and replace them with the favs I have got now. And add to it in the spring.

Kim, I saw your PM, but I'm on my way out the door (again)...I will respond when I have some time to sit down and give it the attention it deserves.