Houdans

[TNBEARCHICK]

WOW I love the they are gorgeous.

Well I talked more to the breeder a couple weeks ago but was busy and havent posted in a long time.
New school year really takes up your time. I'm a teacher by day, well at least my paychecks say I am.

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.

The link: http://archive.org/stream/cu31924003117870#page/n9/mode/2up
and my most recent picture:

His tail feathers have yet to curve and the crown is still pretty unimpressive, but hes still kind of young.

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:




Finally some who lost the crown contest but are the most friendly of the flock, thus getting special indoor treatment today. One more rooster, but again a mighty unimpressive comb.
The breeder also said that usually the larger combs are better layers and if they get a little red on the wattle with a small comb they're taken out and put in the the "dinner" pen. Meaning they are boys and will be sold off. That practice could explain the large variance in comb size.


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.

Our oldest, and the one with the smallest crown has started laying practice. Very exciting!

EDIT:Spelling etc.

Maybe he's right, that turkey is acting aweful psochiopathish! lol

VERY FUNNY

 

[Kassaundra]

Finally, the first egg has come~
Its really small, like a 50 cent piece, or just bigger than my thumb, but its still a perfect little egg.

The funny part is where she put it.

At noon she rushed past us when we opened the door to let the dog out and ran into the bedroom. We didnt see her and just assumed she went downstairs to say hi to my mother in law instead. Nope, a while later we heard the triumph song and went to check on her. Sure enough in the bottom cubby of the closet where the winter shoes used to be was a little egg on a piece of lining.
So after all the work on the coop and run (where our balcony used to be) she sneaks into our closet to lay an egg.
Crafty lady, she knows what she wants and will get it.

Congrats on your girls first egg.

 

[aoxa]

Finally, the first egg has come~

Its really small, like a 50 cent piece, or just bigger than my thumb, but its still a perfect little egg.


The funny part is where she put it.


At noon she rushed past us when we opened the door to let the dog out and ran into the bedroom. We didnt see her and just assumed she went downstairs to say hi to my mother in law instead. Nope, a while later we heard the triumph song and went to check on her. Sure enough in the bottom cubby of the closet where the winter shoes used to be was a little egg on a piece of lining.

So after all the work on the coop and run (where our balcony used to be) she sneaks into our closet to lay an egg.

Crafty lady, she knows what she wants and will get it.

Congrats on your girls first egg.

Still nothing from Skittles. Her hatch mates are molting and this is their first fall. :/

I'm wondering if she is highly influenced by daylight. I know most 1st year pullets are not, but Skittles is not your average pullet

 

[Puddin Fluff]

aoxa,

Dito on Spike for me. No eggs. She is the only one. Makes me wonder.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Wow! Looks like everyone here had too much turkey and pie last week. Pretty quiet.

Elias, I was wondering what progress you were having with your birds and also at what age did your girls start laying? I am still waiting on mine and now with winter coming on I will be surprised if she lays before spring.

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

Did anyone order Houdans from Cackle this past year? Curious as to what their stock is looking like these days.

 

[Chambertin]

Not much activity indeed.
My turkeys are really lucky we were so busy with school and other business that we missed thanksgiving... and their necks~
So we'll see about the long wait till christmas. As they are pretty well full grown its pretty darn corwded for them up here.

Speaking of eggs...
I cant find another egg anywhere from my girl.
Just dont get it, did she really buy it from a passing dove?
Sure the weather really took to the colder side, but its Miami cold, still in the 50s and maybe 40 at night. Its laughable to see people wrapped up like its -10 plus -20 windchill around here.

Maybe we didnt fan her with enough attention.
Anyway we're hoping and looking for more. The rest of the flock should be coming online in 2-3 weeks, lets hope its not the weather. I'm looking forward to some real egg noodles.

 

[Kassaundra]

Did anyone order Houdans from Cackle this past year? Curious as to what their stock is looking like these days.

Is Cackle your favorite hatchery, or is it the one everyone said was the best hatchery for houdans? I remember early in the thread there was a discussion about which hatchery had the best, but do not remember what the consensus was.

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

Cackle supposedly DID have the closest to standard and are indeed what the UofA birds were started on a number of years ago. Just wandering what the current status of their stock is like. I wound up not moving so the simplest way for me to get birds this spring will be with Cackle. I also happen to have an account with them, so it makes sense.

 

[aoxa]

Cackle supposedly DID have the closest to standard and are indeed what the UofA birds were started on a number of years ago. Just wandering what the current status of their stock is like. I wound up not moving so the simplest way for me to get birds this spring will be with Cackle. I also happen to have an account with them, so it makes sense.

Skittles' & GiGi's relatives came from McMurray Few generations of culling, but I think they are relatively nice for a hatchery background.

I need recent pictures, but houdans are definitely not pristine birds in poor weather. :/