Genetic Hackle Fowl Chat

[JacinLarkwell]

I have shipped eggs, using several methods, and the results were highly variable, but more bad than good. I lose some chick shipments also, but not nearly as many. I try to price the eggs and chicks to reflect my efforts to pack/hatch and ship, and chicks work out to be a much better deal if you really want a breeding group of something. My lines of GHF are sexable at hatch, so I can be sure you get a balanced group that will make nice breeders and have some extra males to allow you to choose which to breed with.

For natural breeding, what M|F ratio would you recommend?

 

[dheltzel]

Are the fertility issues linked more to the males or females?

I usually only have 1 good male each year, since I have a high cull rate. This year's cockerel eventually got quite fertile, so I am holding him back for next year and will try him first in the spring unless I get a cockerel that I like better than him, but he is pretty good, to my eye.
It could be problems with the females, as I do tend to keep them several years. Generally, fertility has improved later in the season. Every pen of Ameraucanas I own tend to start laying late, as in late March or early April, even if I use lighting starting in December. The Marans or Legbars are typically first to lay, then Welbars start and all the others are later. Kind of disappointing that the Ams don't lay as well as I would like. Clearly, they are showing their breeding as show stock, not hatchery stock.

 

[dheltzel]

So your experience, it's easier to remove males than to add them together at an older age?

Always harder to mix birds once they are sexually mature. Not that I don't do it, but I try to setup breeding pens in the fall, when young birds are maturing and older ones are in their hormonal "low ebb". Most birds get moved then, so they are all in a new (to them) space and no existing territories are in play. If I have plenty of males, I tend to throw an extra 1 or 2 into the pen, as I often lose a male over winter.

 

[dheltzel]

No, I don't. I tend to get my hatchery chicls vaccinated now, but I can't mentally justify vaccinating three or four birds every week or so. So those ones I consider to just be the canaries in the coal mine unfortunately. I don't bring in adult birds though either, ever because I've seen what mareks can do to a healthy flock. But I'm glad you handle your chicks carefully. I've seen a lot of people that get them vaccinated so they can give them to a broody right away

I have vaccinated just a few chicks, but when I am busy in the spring, I may vaccinate 200 or more. It is almost the same work to vaccinate 200 as 20. Not really, but with small groups, the setup and cleanup is longer than the actual vaccinations.

 

[dheltzel]

For natural breeding, what M|F ratio would you recommend?

Just like normal chickens. I think GHF are a little more tolerant of extra roos, and they are the reason I keep them, so a "typical" pen might be 20 to 24 females and 5 or 6 males.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Just like normal chickens. I think GHF are a little more tolerant of extra roos, and they are the reason I keep them, so a "typical" pen might be 20 to 24 females and 5 or 6 males.

Okay. I wasn't sure if you had smaller ratios to help with fertility or not since I know some breeds do better with 2 or 3 hens per male and some are just fine with 8 or 10 per male

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

You have pigeons, too? Toys or working breeds?

Toys?
My pigeons are pets, most of them are rescued. I have a few ferals, a racing homer, white homers, a mixed breed, and a roller pigeon. What breeds do you have?

 

[Dovemaiden]

My goal is to get a box of chicks to everyone that wants to maintain GHF long term, and then people that want to try them, but really want some of my other breeds.
The Mottled Ams have been problematic for me every year. At first I had a lot of missing muffs and beards (not picked off my others, as happens sometimes). Culled over 50% for several years. This year is looking better, but I don't pay much attention until I set up breeder pens in November. Mottleds get better looking the older they get, so my best looking hens are maybe not as productive as the less mottled ones. The other, even bigger problem is poor fertility, especially in the spring when I want chicks to sell. Often my flock is bottlenecked to a single, well-muffed male, though I always keep a backup, usually he is inferior. Really hoping this year fixes their issues, or 2023 will probably be my last year with them, pretty as they are.

That is a very generous gift that you are offering, letting others have the chance to procure the GHF if they have the determination & passion to raise them. Thank you for this opportunity you are presenting for dedicated fanciers.
I will always be indebted to the breeder that allowed me this opportunity. It is a rare privilege, & truly an honor, when someone trusts you with something as precious as a living heirloom and its subsequent preservation.
I take very seriously the keeping of the GHF genome I was gifted with, & I do not intend to allow it to fail on my watch.
Getting a large flock of premier GHF was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.
I am also so appreciative of my husband for encouraging me in the pursuit of raising these birds; driving the long distance to see and collect them; & purchasing them for me.
It has been several years since I have been this active with any hobby, & it is helping me be more active physically, and better emotionally, too.
The birds were so important to me before. I used to be on BYC years ago.
Back then I raised some rare breeds, such as Pyncheons.
After the last death in our family, I found myself somewhat like the character Dante described in “Inferno” as “one day becoming lost in a dark wood,” though without a Beatrice to guide me out,(LOL, but it’s really not that funny).
I have M.S. accompanied by Major Depressive Disorder, & it’s difficult finding medications that continue to work, they have to be frequently changed.
Some days it has been hard just to get up and do anything, when you find your body failing you. I don’t think anyone ever truly expects that to happen.
And, if you have ever experienced depression, you will know how debilitating it can be.
I knew that animal caretaking helps people when they sink into the black hole, but I was too far in to get out by myself. Being entrusted with something this valuable & unusual has helped me look forward to each new day again& what I will observe with the birds. It’s enjoyable to just watch them, I am sure you all know that, it has a calming effect.
The general lack of data on GHF made me get back into the research & reading & be re-energized.
I am sure I am not the only person on this forum that has been helped in this fashion through their birds. I am certainly very grateful to have the birds and the challenge of raising & continuing their genetics.

 

[Dovemaiden]

Toys?
My pigeons are pets, most of them are rescued. I have a few ferals, a racing homer, white homers, a mixed breed, and a roller pigeon. What breeds do you have?View attachment 3233450View attachment 3233451

Oh, I used to have English Trumpeters, Fantails, Ice Pigeons, and some Frills. I enjoyed them tremendously. Pigeons are so often over-looked by poultry fanciers, and yet are one of the most fascinating creatures you can raise. They are far more intelligent and innovative at getting what they want & need than people give them credit for, and their style of raising offspring is unique as well.

 

[Dovemaiden]

Oh, I used to have English Trumpeters, Ice Pigeons, and some Frills. I enjoyed them tremendously. Pigeons are so often over-looked by poultry fanciers, and yet are one of the most fascinating creatures you can raise. They are far more intelligent and innovative at getting what they want & need than people give them credit for, and their style of raising offspring is unique as well.

Beautiful birds, with that expressive and exquisite orange eye! You know they are always up to something!