Houdans

[aoxa]

Gigi's here to brighten your day. Note: He has lost weight from his fungal infection, and doesn't hang out with any of the chickens or eat until no one is looking. I'm going to have to put food on the deck, which is where he spends 50% of his day.

 

[aoxa]

The 10 week old chicks

Free ranging. Those red chicks are the same age.

 

[ashandvine]

They are Houdans, as best as I can see and understand. They are just the older style breed as I was told in a much earlier post, grandpa and grandma got them from their mom and dad, who probably got the originals somewhere in Hong Kong.

That old English book about them was right on the money. My cock (still fun saying that) is so very similar to the cover picture in the link that Ashandvine gave me. SO sorry about your bad luck!
I'd love to send you a few from here, but the costs and import barriers are a little... crappy.

We have an update on our other parts of the flock too, up to 25 birds (wow). Here are a couple of the leaders in the crown contest:

I'm going to be studying up on import procedures, because these birds are just amazing as pets and as chickens so far. I'm quite happy I found them and they're worth all the trouble they might get into.

Your birds are definitely Houdans. EU standards call for the V comb and you are right, the crest isn't that great on some but really very nice on others. Keep in mind that these birds grow slowly, and you want that, as much as it sounds strange. Heritage breeds eat less and grow slower but end up heavier and larger than most of the birds developed recently. Heritage birds are meant to be dual purpose. 25 huh? Chicken math got you! Me too. My luck with birds really isn't working out well right now. I have two Favorelle babies from the many eggs Heritagefarms and Kassaundra helped get to me. I am trying to remember to be grateful for the two instead of the none it could be. Please, keep posting as you are able. I am interested in how these develop. Have you kept track of at which week they are in development so you can know which ones began to lay earlier or later?

Hi well I thought I would share some photos of my new Houdan girl that I got yesterday. She is called Queenie and I got her with a splash polish (Tina) who is also in these photos:



They are both gorgeous birds!

This bird has a beautiful crest and the indicators of some nice markings to be developed over time. I would chime in here that if you got the polish at the same breeder your Houdan is a cross with the Polish, as their legs are dark like you are seeing. Such a beautiful bird. I love Houdans.

i lost 2 of mine to the same thing whatever it is... i think all the rest are going to make it just fine (so far)... i just have 16 to chose from so loosing 2 is not so bad...

We will get you some Houdans one way or the other sooner or later...

Sorry to hear this Elias. I hope that Dr B has some ideas as to what might have happened.

How are you, those who live in colder climates like aoxa, dealing with the crest/beards in the water and freezing weather?? I know I can tie up the crest (freezer tape is great) but what about those beards and icicles?? I am concerned that I may end up babying these birds here a lot more than I intended. I hate keeping them closed in the barn ALL winter.

 

[aoxa]

Your birds are definitely Houdans.  EU standards call for the V comb and you are right, the crest isn't that great on some but really very nice on others.  Keep in mind that these birds grow slowly, and you want that, as much as it sounds strange.  Heritage breeds eat less and grow slower but end up heavier and larger than most of the birds developed recently.  Heritage birds are meant to be dual purpose.  25 huh?  Chicken math got you! Me too.  My luck with birds really isn't working out well right now.  I have two Favorelle babies from the many eggs Heritagefarms and Kassaundra helped get to me.  I am trying to remember to be grateful for the two instead of the none it could be.  Please, keep posting as you are able.  I am interested in how these develop.  Have you kept track of at which week they are in development so you can know which ones began to lay earlier or later? 

This bird has a beautiful crest and the indicators of some nice markings to be developed over time.  I would chime in here that if you got the polish at the same breeder your Houdan is a cross with the Polish, as their legs are dark like you are seeing.  Such a beautiful bird.  I love Houdans.


Sorry to hear this Elias.  I hope that Dr B has some ideas as to what might have happened. 

How are you, those who live in colder climates like aoxa, dealing with the crest/beards in the water and freezing weather??  I know I can tie up the crest (freezer tape is great) but what about those beards and icicles??  I am concerned that I may end up babying these birds here a lot more than I intended.  I hate keeping them closed in the barn ALL winter. 

Beards are better than wattles for the cold temps. The females have crests that are compact and shouldn't get wet from drinking. Standing out in the rain is a different story. You should have seen Gigi the other day. What a loser. Soaked to the skin.

I had polish last winter and she did just fine. This will be my first year with Houdans, but they are cold hardy from everything I've read.

 

[zach N houdan]

My 7-month old Houdan pair:

ur hen has prob one of the nicest even crest ive seen

 

[Tricoglossus]

They came from the same owner who bred the Polish herself but got a batch of Houdan eggs flown over from another breeder elsewhere in Australia. The Houdan in the picture is from that batch. I think she was going to be a pet only, I am unsure of her genetics and am new to the Houdan breed myself. They are such gorgeous birds!

 

[Tricoglossus]

I've just taken some more pictures of Queenie's legs for you to have a look at the colour, as it has been pointed out that they are a bit dark for a Houdan. Of course she kept wanting to peck at the camera!

 

[Natural Eye]

I've just taken some more pictures of Queenie's legs for you to have a look at the colour, as it has been pointed out that they are a bit dark for a Houdan. Of course she kept wanting to peck at the camera!

Another person with Houdan in Australia!

 

[Chambertin]

I like my Eurozone - Chinese - Apartment Houdans.
Amazingly if I try to drill a hole in my wall, or bring in 20 bricks (you can see in the photos) the stupid parking guard tries to fine me for noise, or home improvements on a Sunday, but every morning at 5 am sharp my rooster crows non stop until 8am, and then sporadically throughout the rest of the day yet not a soul has said a word... officially. hehe
They do grow slow, but they grow proper. Pretty cool to see them develop and not just explode into a frozen nugget bag one night when you slept in a little late.

Now a bit of levity for everyone.
Dogs and chickens can be friends. My rooster and my dog have been playing since either of them can remember. Even with all the pecking and kciking as the rooster gets cocky, they stay good friends. Plus it helps to have a tolerant dog who will give back tit for tat. "Oh ok, lets use feet now" and he paws back. So funny.

Way back in the beginning.


Playing with the food. They love dog food, and he will go eat their chicken food.


Haha, I'm bigger now! Let's roll.


I wish I could have gotton more action style shots, but they two just wouldnt cooperate. Every time SAT (the chicken) was flapping TuTu (the dog) was in the way, and every time TuTu was having fun biting at the feet or pawing at SAT's pecking beak they were over by the coop door.
Just too much trouble being a photographer. I'll try again next time. They love to play around with each other.

EDIT: The extra funny part is the now over 20 pound tom turkeys wont go near either one of them. The little rooster will chase them around pulling feathers even! Plus when me and TuTu are rough housing the rooster starts doing the danger call, and wants to help his buddy. He knows it's play now, but they've become great freinds.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Gigi's here to brighten your day.
Note: He has lost weight from his fungal infection, and doesn't hang out with any of the chickens or eat until no one is looking. I'm going to have to put food on the deck, which is where he spends 50% of his day.

I

I have to show my daughter! She wants to do this to Spike so she can see!

Spike is behind, Zeus in the front.