I've always loved birds so I decided that I had the space and time for some chickens. The climate in Newfoundland is pretty..unpredictable. Northern Avalon peninsula in the winter is pretty brisk, so I built a plywood coop. 4x8, 6' tall in the front, 4' in the back.
A friend of the family raises a variety of birds, and I've always loved bantams. I went for a visit and came home with a pair of them. My rooster cockerel looked like he was Old English Game. Predominately black with a beautiful sheen, with rust and gold, but I haven't been able to figure out her roots.
Petite, with close feathers, perky tail feathers, and the same colour and pattern as a bald eagle.
She's brooding her 3 eggs in the box I made for her inside the house, near the woodstove.
Sadly, my rooster never saw a year. I'm sure he died protecting her, and I'm grateful she lived. I let them free range around our round stacklog house, and they always went back to the coop in the evening, but when I went for my evening visit, only she was there, and she was calling for Tookie. I got my flashlight and went looking for him in the dark, and when he never came when I called him, I knew something was up. I found him with his right side gone, and his bones were showing. His feathers were everywhere
( I cried for him and then cremated him. It could have been any number of predators too. We have a huge range of wildlife here, and we live in a heavily wooded area. Lesson learned, I just bought a roll of 2" chicken wire 6'tallx50'long, 2" 4'tallx50'long. and 50' of 2'x1/2" mesh.
Got a replacement rooster from the same friend, and I have no idea what he is either. Best guess is 25%bantam, and something else. Bigger than Tookie by half again. Named him Big Bird. He has a white tail, with tiny black speckles, deep blood coloured saddle, white breast, and a gold head. I was initially worried that he would be too big for her, and I watched for a while and saw that he didnt dance for her like tookie did, and she resisted more. I also got a Barred Rock hen, named her Nan, and her temperament leaves something to be desired, but it's ok, because I've got 2 of her fertilized eggs, and 1 of Penny's eggs underneath Penny as we speak. I think if I hatch a male Barred Rock, I'll raise him, and get rid of Big Bird, and eventually Nan too. I don't like how aggressive they both are, especially towards Penny. I'll raise the other 3 (if they all hatch etc) and they'll be friendly - I'm a good trainer. I've been out of town and I'm so anxious to get back down to the house for when and if they pip. I guess I won't get to see much of the hatching when they're under her anyway, but I'm so excited nonetheless. I love some of the names people have come up with for their poultry, and I would love to see some suggestions! When I get home I'll take some pictures, and post them here. Hopefully I'll have babies on Tuesday and it's what I've always wanted to do - get a chick to imprint, and raise him or her to be a smart little critter. Anyway, I'm rambling now, so -
A friend of the family raises a variety of birds, and I've always loved bantams. I went for a visit and came home with a pair of them. My rooster cockerel looked like he was Old English Game. Predominately black with a beautiful sheen, with rust and gold, but I haven't been able to figure out her roots.
Petite, with close feathers, perky tail feathers, and the same colour and pattern as a bald eagle.
She's brooding her 3 eggs in the box I made for her inside the house, near the woodstove.
Sadly, my rooster never saw a year. I'm sure he died protecting her, and I'm grateful she lived. I let them free range around our round stacklog house, and they always went back to the coop in the evening, but when I went for my evening visit, only she was there, and she was calling for Tookie. I got my flashlight and went looking for him in the dark, and when he never came when I called him, I knew something was up. I found him with his right side gone, and his bones were showing. His feathers were everywhere
( I cried for him and then cremated him. It could have been any number of predators too. We have a huge range of wildlife here, and we live in a heavily wooded area. Lesson learned, I just bought a roll of 2" chicken wire 6'tallx50'long, 2" 4'tallx50'long. and 50' of 2'x1/2" mesh.Got a replacement rooster from the same friend, and I have no idea what he is either. Best guess is 25%bantam, and something else. Bigger than Tookie by half again. Named him Big Bird. He has a white tail, with tiny black speckles, deep blood coloured saddle, white breast, and a gold head. I was initially worried that he would be too big for her, and I watched for a while and saw that he didnt dance for her like tookie did, and she resisted more. I also got a Barred Rock hen, named her Nan, and her temperament leaves something to be desired, but it's ok, because I've got 2 of her fertilized eggs, and 1 of Penny's eggs underneath Penny as we speak. I think if I hatch a male Barred Rock, I'll raise him, and get rid of Big Bird, and eventually Nan too. I don't like how aggressive they both are, especially towards Penny. I'll raise the other 3 (if they all hatch etc) and they'll be friendly - I'm a good trainer. I've been out of town and I'm so anxious to get back down to the house for when and if they pip. I guess I won't get to see much of the hatching when they're under her anyway, but I'm so excited nonetheless. I love some of the names people have come up with for their poultry, and I would love to see some suggestions! When I get home I'll take some pictures, and post them here. Hopefully I'll have babies on Tuesday and it's what I've always wanted to do - get a chick to imprint, and raise him or her to be a smart little critter. Anyway, I'm rambling now, so -
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