Genetic Hackle Fowl Chat

[Dovemaiden]

Here is another valuable resource:

Remember when I said Reeder had stated the mt( non molting gene) not being present in the Phoenix? I was quoting incorrectly, it was from this book on Long Tailed Fowl. It is on page 22. I took a photo of the page so you can read what the authors said about Phoenix not having the nonmolting gene. I do NOT know how big a sample size they took; if it was from show quality large fowl or bantam Phoenix. They are stating it in a general fashion vs the Onadagori , which does carry the non molting gene( mt). You may wish to enlarge and read the data they present. I think it is a book well worth having, though I do not keep in of my birds in the housing ( tomebako) that the Japanese fanciers do.

 

[Dovemaiden]

What am I what?

Oh, I saw an underline under some of the posts you had on this thread, and it had “ Sharkboy” written? I was curious if that was a nickname or something else.

 

[Dovemaiden]

Out of curiosity what is Sharkboy?

It is not showing up now, but was yesterday( Sharkboy) perhaps that’s the Monitor’s moniker that they were overseeing the thread? No idea.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

If cockbirds get their wattles snd combs frost bitten, fertility goes way down until it repairs. So you do not want it to happen in the first place.

Really? My single combed birds lose their combs in their first winter, but I haven't really noticed a difference in their fertility compared to the smaller combed birds that didn't lose any. But I also don't hatch a giant number artificially, and they don't have fertility issued because of feathers, so maybe it's more obvious when birds have other issues where every egg counts

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Oh, I saw an underline under some of the posts you had on this thread, and it had “ Sharkboy” written? I was curious if that was a nickname or something else.

Oh, it's a nickname cause my name is Jaw-sin, so like Jaws the shark.

 

[Dovemaiden]

Really? My single combed birds lose their combs in their first winter, but I haven't really noticed a difference in their fertility compared to the smaller combed birds that didn't lose any. But I also don't hatch a giant number artificially, and they don't have fertility issued because of feathers, so maybe it's more obvious when birds have other issues where every egg counts

I have had it occur in the past with single combs; but—I am living at 6900 feet in elevation, so I am sure that has a great deal to do with it. We commonly get up to 4 feet of snow— where it is covering my chain link fences completely, and although it’s not humid like either Coast, if the birds go out to walk a bit,and there is a wind making it colder, I have had it happen.

 

[Dovemaiden]

Oh, it's a nickname cause my name is Jaw-sin, so like Jaws the shark.

Cool! I have one, too!

 

[SourRoses]

I intend to keep mine like normal chickens, because it just makes me too sad to do otherwise.
In the group of 18, 3-month-old Hackles we have 10 males. It really freaked me out when they were 4 weeks old and started sparring by wrapping their necks around to peck each other's backs and push their chests together. That lasted about a week and then they seemed to get a pecking order worked out and everyone settled down.
Now they don't fight at all, they just have little standoffs by stiffening their capes out into these crazy electrified hairdos
I have high hopes for keeping males together as @dheltzel who I got them from does.
However, I do need to pick out the 4 best males to keep, and I can't figure out if I can select based on the traits they're showing now, or if I should wait until they're full grown and fully representing their qualities?
The birdie I was questioning the sex of has since answered for himself by reddening his comb up in the few days since we talked about him, @Dovemaiden . I still want to post some pictures because he's so much bigger than the others, but it's been raining every day, so I have to wait for a good opportunity.

As for frostbite, lowering the humidity in coops through plentiful upper ventilation is supposed to help. But I've never kept chickens in a super cold climate so what do I know, Lol.

 

[Dovemaiden]

Really? My single combed birds lose their combs in their first winter, but I haven't really noticed a difference in their fertility compared to the smaller combed birds that didn't lose any. But I also don't hatch a giant number artificially, and they don't have fertility issued because of feathers, so maybe it's more obvious when birds have other issues where every egg counts

I intend to keep mine like normal chickens, because it just makes me too sad to do otherwise.
In the group of 18, 3-month-old Hackles we have 10 males. It really freaked me out when they were 4 weeks old and started sparring by wrapping their necks around to peck each other's backs and push their chests together. That lasted about a week and then they seemed to get a pecking order worked out and everyone settled down.
Now they don't fight at all, they just have little standoffs by stiffening their capes out into these crazy electrified hairdos
I have high hopes for keeping males together as @dheltzel who I got them from does.
However, I do need to pick out the 4 best males to keep, and I can't figure out if I can select based on the traits they're showing now, or if I should wait until they're full grown and fully representing their qualities?
The birdie I was questioning the sex of has since answered for himself by reddening his comb up in the few days since we talked about him, @Dovemaiden . I still want to post some pictures because he's so much bigger than the others, but it's been raining every day, so I have to wait for a good opportunity.

As for frostbite, lowering the humidity in coops through plentiful upper ventilation is supposed to help. But I've never kept chickens in a super cold climate so what do I know, Lol.

There are some great articles ( or used to be, years ago) that I read in BYC on frostbite. Here is a general link:http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/frostbite
I have only had it occur severely once, in a couple D’Uccles who, for whatever reason, left the coop and decided to go for an evening walk in the snow. They had to be euthanized; the legs were beyond help.
But, with sperm count, it will lower in proportion to frostbite damage. Your single-combed birds, interestingly, have the highest fertility—and those are the ones most affected by frostbite, because the comb is further distances from the body. That was lucky indeed you had no problems! Sometimes I put Vaseline or “ Udder Balm” with lanolin on the combs & wattles, for an extra layer of protection.

 

[Dovemaiden]

There are some great articles ( or used to be, years ago) that I read in BYC on frostbite. Here is a general link:http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/frostbite
I have only had it occur severely once, in a couple D’Uccles who, for whatever reason, left the coop and decided to go for an evening walk in the snow. They had to be euthanized; the legs were beyond help.
But, with sperm count, it will lower in proportion to frostbite damage. Your single-combed birds, interestingly, have the highest fertility—and those are the ones most affected by frostbite, because the comb is further distances from the body. That was lucky indeed you had no problems! Sometimes I put Vaseline or “ Udder Balm” with lanolin on the combs & wattles, for an extra layer of protection.

This is interesting— http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/frostbite