Faverolles Thread

[poularde]

Oh and I must add. Favs are great eating. I have raised a few dual purpose breeds all from breeders not hatchery. Favs are great eating. They have been my favorite so far. I was very impressed with them. Highly recommended!

 

[ashandvine]

I know, I know. I have fended off a few things this year and this morning was just a tip for me. I'm level again. I love birds of prey... when they aren't eating MY birds. I thought I saw a Northern Harrier male when we first moved here but not since. Suddenly, once a day, I lost a chick, first thing in the morning while I was here. I knew it was an aerial predator. Usually I like being right. It wasn't so fun today trying to chase a female Harrier out of the apple tree near the coop. My daughter pitched in... and was late to school. I already lost two of my Marans and now have to find another cockerel for that group. *I* want to eat the birds here. Me. If I want to feed nature I will put out suet or something. So far the hatch isn't looking good. Apparently the heat in the car or at the breeders was high. I might not get my favs (or anything else) after all.... again. See... just a bad day. If I DO get any I really hope for a male. They are very pretty, I agree, and if they end up nasty I can dress them up with sage sprigs and still call them pretty.

 

[hcammack]

I lost my only faverolles hen to a predator earlier this summer. The only think you can do is start over and rebuild the coop so its more secure. That is what I am doing. Glad to hear faverolles are good eating that is my plan with the extra cockerels I will hatch next spring. They will be eaten and hopefully I can hatch enough to fill my freezer.

 

[elizmartin]

I know, I know. I have fended off a few things this year and this morning was just a tip for me. I'm level again. I love birds of prey... when they aren't eating MY birds. I thought I saw a Northern Harrier male when we first moved here but not since. Suddenly, once a day, I lost a chick, first thing in the morning while I was here. I knew it was an aerial predator. Usually I like being right. It wasn't so fun today trying to chase a female Harrier out of the apple tree near the coop. My daughter pitched in... and was late to school. I already lost two of my Marans and now have to find another cockerel for that group. *I* want to eat the birds here. Me. If I want to feed nature I will put out suet or something. So far the hatch isn't looking good. Apparently the heat in the car or at the breeders was high. I might not get my favs (or anything else) after all.... again. See... just a bad day. If I DO get any I really hope for a male. They are very pretty, I agree, and if they end up nasty I can dress them up with sage sprigs and still call them pretty.

Its because of moments like this that make the good times all the more special....Am sad about your predators...

our neighborhood loses small doggies and kitties to an eagle family that moved in 3 years ago....My greatest loses to my chickens have been the ever growing rat population.....last 2 years i have finally resorted to poison (blood thinner type so i can put chlorophile (sp) in my kitty food for vit. K). My turkey hen brooded 6 chicks, put them in the doggie kennel to protect from cats, still lost 3 from rats grabbing them from underneath her. now in a chick grow out pen with 1" x 1" fence fabric, same with my half grown chicks.

BTW, Jeanine, I have a pair of LF youngsters very different from the rest, HAVE to be KABLE.......crossing my fingers thou don't know who the mother is.....
eliz

 

[ashandvine]

Consider landscape fabric on the bottoms from now on. Its tough and can be used in many ways around the yard and chickens. Blinds between males, wind breaks, bottoms of pens...
I have yet to have an issue with the eagles. I see them a few miles off, about ten I'd guess, but not here. The fox is dead, thank you neighbors. Such a pretty young thing too. Alas, I paid for my chickens and work with them everyday so the fox must find its own meals not steal mine. This hawk on the other hand.... what to do, what to do. I put deer netting over the run for now. Hawk is only taking the littlest ones so this will give them time to get bigger and everyone else can still go out if they want. For now I will change my time table a bit to throw off the routine of the hawk and hope it finds other prey.... say down by the pond or in the fields instead of in my yard. Plenty of fields here.
My Fav eggs are being candled this weekend. I will let you all know if I am going to get any. So far it doesn't look too good.

 

[hcammack]

Consider landscape fabric on the bottoms from now on. Its tough and can be used in many ways around the yard and chickens. Blinds between males, wind breaks, bottoms of pens...
I have yet to have an issue with the eagles. I see them a few miles off, about ten I'd guess, but not here. The fox is dead, thank you neighbors. Such a pretty young thing too. Alas, I paid for my chickens and work with them everyday so the fox must find its own meals not steal mine. This hawk on the other hand.... what to do, what to do. I put deer netting over the run for now. Hawk is only taking the littlest ones so this will give them time to get bigger and everyone else can still go out if they want. For now I will change my time table a bit to throw off the routine of the hawk and hope it finds other prey.... say down by the pond or in the fields instead of in my yard. Plenty of fields here.
My Fav eggs are being candled this weekend. I will let you all know if I am going to get any. So far it doesn't look too good.

I now only use hardware cloth to make runs or reinforce coops never chicken wire. The chicken wire is to easy for animals to reach through and for animals to rip through.

To bad about the eggs. I am sorry they aren't looking good for you. Who did you get eggs from?

 

[ashandvine]

I got these eggs from UA. They are supposed to be really good quality too. I will try again if I don't get any this time around. Its disappointing though. I will know better this weekend when they are candled. Cross your fingers for me.

 

[sandiklaws]

Hi guys, finally got a chance to pop in for a quick read; I have been busy with a camping vacation, back to school, other forums and what-not... have I missed anything?

 

[gootziecat]

Henry, I'm sorry you lost your pullet. I have a major fox problem here I'm fighting, so I certainly can sympathize.


Hi Sandi. Glad to see you back online.

 

[hcammack]

Thanks. I believe it was a coon as it pullet her leg through the cage bottom and then knawed on the head. The boys and remaining Marans pullet are safe and sounds in a new coop that is safer. That is where the pullets I get to replace this girl will go. The boys are going back to my friends farm as they are finding their voices.