Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[3riverschick]

Hi !,

Where did everyone go? How are your spring chickens fleshing out?
Anyone got some blue ribbon birds for the Fall shows?
Best,
Karen

 

[bnjrob]

Hi !,

Where did everyone go? How are your spring chickens fleshing out?
Anyone got some blue ribbon birds for the Fall shows?
Best,
Karen

Still here. Have some 6 month old cockerels to butcher shortly since they have some funky comb flaws showing up already. Pullets are starting to lay. Adults are still molting and may not get them finished and laying again to have another hatch this year like I'd hoped, before the light decreases too much. Have one persistent broody hen still but the rest have stopped being broody for now. Gotta start getting familiar with the SOP for turkeys since I'll be wanting to cull for Thanksgiving dinner.

 

[3riverschick]

Still here. Have some 6 month old cockerels to butcher shortly since they have some funky comb flaws showing up already. Pullets are starting to lay. Adults are still molting and may not get them finished and laying again to have another hatch this year like I'd hoped, before the light decreases too much. Have one persistent broody hen still but the rest have stopped being broody for now. Gotta start getting familiar with the SOP for turkeys since I'll be wanting to cull for Thanksgiving dinner.

Hi,
Yum, sounds like some delicious chicken dinners in the future. My hens are confused. I have 2 sitting eggs now. Anyone else seeing this? They should not be sitting now. I will let them hatch whatever they can only because I saw one of my hens raise 3 chicks so successfully in the bitter winter last Feb.
Best,
Karen

 

[Wisher1000]

Yes, I have two sitting but won't let them keep eggs. They are both trying to hatch golf balls. I would, but I let my flocks all free range from first of June till Christmas. Too many "mixed" relationships going on to get any pure chicks!

 

[hellbender]

Yes, I have two sitting but won't let them keep eggs. They are both trying to hatch golf balls. I would, but I let my flocks all free range from first of June till Christmas. Too many "mixed" relationships going on to get any pure chicks!

I've been to Alabama but never to Tuscaloosa. I'm guessing it would be plenty warm enough if you want'ed to pen your cocks/cockerels with good hens. If and when...good luck.

RON

 

[NanaKat]

I'm still hatching from one pen of Columbian Wyandotte and will set those eggs Oct 5 and Oct 10. Other than the Quail and the few special Bantams, I rearrange the pens and break until February.

Surprised today to get two Ringneck pheasant eggs. I thought they would begin laying in March. So I'm tempted to set those to see what pops. The male has 8 hens in their pen.

The chicks from the White Wyandotte over the CW have been growing off nicely with lovely combs and nice buttery yellow legs. The CW chicks have a range of down colors, but the type is good. And I'm getting some barred birds that are hefty and will make good layers and freezer additions.

 

[Wisher1000]

Quote:
You're right, I have raised chicks at all times of the year here. I just like being on a schedule for breeding. I like to pen my breeders in December, start supplementing light in January, hatch as soon as I start getting eggs (Mid-February,) and wrap it up in early May, before the flies get too bad and in time not to have chicks in the brooders when we go on summer vacation in June. I free range/grow them out all summer, culling all along, and make final selections for next years breeders in the fall. It works for me.

 

[hellbender]

You're right, I have raised chicks at all times of the year here. I just like being on a schedule for breeding. I like to pen my breeders in December, start supplementing light in January, hatch as soon as I start getting eggs (Mid-February,) and wrap it up in early May, before the flies get too bad and in time not to have chicks in the brooders when we go on summer vacation in June. I free range/grow them out all summer, culling all along, and make final selections for next years breeders in the fall. It works for me.

If it works for you...that's all that counts.

 

[Wisher1000]

Yeah, I guess. I also find that they are at their peak at about the time the fall shows start.

 

[3riverschick]

This year have been real strange here for a breeding schedule. Late winter. cocks combs needed to heal Cold, rainy Summer. then in Mid August what looked like Summer at last. I think my birds are confused. The one hen hatched 3 eggs the other day. They are all one sex, ( or one of one and two of another) not sure which with the feather sexing, not because they can't be feather sexed but I didn't sex the 1st 2 hatched until later. . I think maybe 2 pullets and a cockerel.
Anyway, they are ensconced in the smaller red coop. Should be fine for them to grow out with Mama hen, it's 12 sq. ft. .
Best,
Karen