Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[thedragonlady]

My situation was the exact reverse of Wynettes. My original trio (Col Plymouth Rocks) came from Canada to NW Georgia (probably a lot like N Tx)....HOT humid summers, winters get cold, but not like Canada cold.

My original trio had small combs, the males and the females. I was concerned that they would become huge here due to the heat. After my 4th yr of breeding them I have seen just a "slight" increase in comb size and moreso on the males than the females. I do all of my hatching in Dec/Jan so the young birds do get exposed to the worst of the Ga winters....that seems to help me finish larger birds AND comb sizes that are not too large

Works for me too. The English buffs have noticeably smaller combs than US Orps, particularly on the males.The Brits are firm believers in lots of fresh air and sunshine, in a rather harsh climate, that is cold and wet all winter.Part of this comb size is genetic, but I've seen those small combed birds throw large , untidy combs here in the US under different management, even when raised in the North.

 

[Pathfinders]

So the simple act getting them outside in the winter to live as soon as possible will help with keeping combs smaller?

What about light? Here in Winter it is frequently overcast and dreary. Would adding a light for a few hours in the morning to the coop like when trying to supplement light to get eggs work, or should a light be kept on all day in the coop?

How long many generations have you seen it take in order to have a noticeable difference in comb size?

Yes.

I think it's more important to be "not dark" than light, per se. But if it's really really dark there in the daytime, a light on in the coop/brooder at all times might help.

I saw a difference in one generation.

 

[Arielle]

ONe of the reasons I ahve been wanting to move away from the single comb is the tendency for some to have frost bite. WOuld anyone share the brooding set ups in context of this current conversation?

WHat would a set up look like that would be not dark but rather cool and light in the north?? THough I realize many do not brood before March, and what is the effect of waiting until the temps are improving as winter moves out??

I"m having visions of a woods style coop with lots of windows and an open front . . . .

 

[fowlman01]

Light seems to have more effect on combs than heat, but both effect comb size. This does not only apply to single combs, I have seen huge rose combs develop when they don't have enough light.

Walt

 

[Pathfinders]

When I bred Dutch, (small single combed bantams), I had to over-winter them in my garage (my husband has our barn devoted to horse stuff, no room in there for chickens.) I brooded them in my basement (oy, the dust!) until they were feathered enough to go outside in a hoop house with a light.

But I am in KY now (have been for the past ten years.) Having lived in NH, I remember MA winters, and don't know what you can do if you can't brood indoors in some fashion if hatching in the winters. I am sure some others who live in NE will reply.

 

[Arielle]

Light seems to have more effect on combs than heat, but both effect comb size. This does not only apply to single combs, I have seen huge rose combs develop when they don't have enough light.

Walt

Walt, what is " enough light" ?? Sunshine? Or is a white light bulb enough?

editing to add a second part to this question--

the winter light is weak here. IT is in spring that the light beomces noticably stronger. THe lengthening days that are the strongest are April May and June . . . . would this then be the best months to raise chicks in the northern states??

 

[Arielle]

When I bred Dutch, (small single combed bantams), I had to over-winter them in my garage (my husband has our barn devoted to horse stuff, no room in there for chickens.) I brooded them in my basement (oy, the dust!) until they were feathered enough to go outside in a hoop house with a light.

But I am in KY now (have been for the past ten years.) Having lived in NH, I remember MA winters, and don't know what you can do if you can't brood indoors in some fashion if hatching in the winters. I am sure some others who live in NE will reply.

THis begs the question(s) -- at what age is "feathered enough" and how can this process be pushed?

 

[fowlman01]

Walt, what is " enough light" ?? Sunshine? Or is a white light bulb enough?

8 hours a day...this is just a guess. Artificial light will probably work, but I would try to have natural light if possible. I'm in Cali, so we get more natural sunlight than other places. I have only had problems with large combs when I have kept birds prone to brassiness in places where they did not get direct sunlight.

Walt

 

[Apdeb]

There is a poultry professor at uconn did
A study on this he says 7w led for a total of 16 hours of daylight is optimum in a 10 by 10 coop
Ill see if i can find his name in my email

 

[Arielle]

There is a poultry professor at uconn did
A study on this he says 7w led for a total of 16 hours of daylight is optimum in a 10 by 10 coop
Ill see if i can find his name in my email

Wow this is not a lot.

I just built a wood style coop, and due to nature of the flowing air ( river and hill effect) the west facing side is the solid wall. I'm wondering if a few windows would be beneficial?????