Houdans

[aoxa]

Houdans are extremely receptive when compared to our other chickens
From what I see on here and what I read about them from some realy old books it seems to be pretty standard with the breed.
Some days I dont even think of them as chickens when I compare them to some other breeds.

My Houdan roo is much more excitable and will start the warning call much earlier than others would. If he hears someone talking on the elevator roof he goes crazy. If there's an eg song from a girl he cant see he will cackle, so if you have two growing boys be prepared for LOTS of sound if they're anything like mine.

One good piece of news is I think we have our first broody hen. The largest silkie was on the eggs half a day yesterday and today when one of the garbage yellows tried to kick her off she wouldnt budge.
The trash bird was standing on her head and the silkie wouldnt let her near the eggs.
Gonna be a good mama!

(the girl in the picture is her laying buddy, they would always use the same next box before she went broody)

Ther's always the chance the other girl who might want to be a mama, so I'm putting 6 good eggs under the silkie and leaving 5 more in a nest box next to it. (my nest boxes are just cardboard with a towel)
Will be interesting to see what happens.


Also for the Chinese New Year we bought some Quail.
So tiny, and not nearly as flighty as I had imagined.



EDIT: Added pictures

I'm thinking about getting some quail. Not sure yet.

I like your hens colour My girls are not skittish at all, and my boys are exactly as you describe yours.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

I'm thinking about getting some quail. Not sure yet.

I like your hens colour My girls are not skittish at all, and my boys are exactly as you describe yours.

Chambertin,

Ditto on the personalities on boys and the girl. OUr girl is a cuddle bug. She will come and peck your leg until you pick her up and hold her.

The boy is Bi-polar. Flighty, quick to alarm, but other times he will come and jump in my lap. With his (sometimes) agressive behavior, that can be startling but then he will lay down if you stroke his back.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

my houdan was killed by a rooster at the age of 4 or 5 months

i miss hem so much. a lady who could not keep him gave him to me she did alot of research to see if he was a rooster he never crowed or layed an egg do you think he was a rooster he was also very friendly
here are pictures




sorry sideways

Sorry for your losss. I would agree that based on age, crest and the redness in the face that it was a boy as well.

 

[Chambertin]

My roo has calmed down significantly around me, but is really protective of his girls with anything he doesnt know.
I really like Houdans because they are so much more than a ball of feathers that make noise. Each one has a real personality and the eggs are very consistant.
That girl is our best one left (so many were lost to garbage chicken disease) shes named Mushroom because she's the darkest and has a really good crest.
Those girls just love attention.

Crazily my silkie mama must have read the post and decided to make me look a fool. Today she jumped off the eggs and hasnt been back since...
Still a little young I imagine. Luckily someone was filling in, but she wants back on the roost. Just after I put all the good eggs under her. Maybe she knew?
I thought everything was ok when she poped back on after eating and didnt leave. Oh well.

Here's a picture of my roo all nice and calm making a winter visit on a very cold night.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

My roo has calmed down significantly around me, but is really protective of his girls with anything he doesnt know.
I really like Houdans because they are so much more than a ball of feathers that make noise. Each one has a real personality and the eggs are very consistant.
That girl is our best one left (so many were lost to garbage chicken disease) shes named Mushroom because she's the darkest and has a really good crest.
Those girls just love attention.

Crazily my silkie mama must have read the post and decided to make me look a fool. Today she jumped off the eggs and hasnt been back since...
Still a little young I imagine. Luckily someone was filling in, but she wants back on the roost. Just after I put all the good eggs under her. Maybe she knew?
I thought everything was ok when she poped back on after eating and didnt leave. Oh well.

Here's a picture of my roo all nice and calm making a winter visit on a very cold night.

Like I said, our roo is just bi-polar and we never know if he is going to be nice or attack your leg. He's crazy. I chalk part of it up to him not seeing well what with the crest and all. I think sometimes he sees movement and just freaks.

 

[aoxa]

I have to announce this here as well...



Quote:

 

[Lilwanis]

I have to announce this here as well...

I have the most terrible news I can ever imagine typing here...

My barn..

My birds.

My Clementine.

All gone...

The barn caught fire and nothing is left. I don't even know.. I don't know what to say. My heart is broken.

Oh no! I am so sorry! I can't even imagine the heart break. to you. There isn't anything that I can say, but my deepest most sincere condolences.

 

[aoccl]

My deepest sympathies Aoxa

 

[aoccl]

So I made my bi-weekly run up to Duane Urch today and turns out he has Houdans. They have just not been good for him the past two years so he took them off his list. Now they are hatching. He pry can't get any single person 25 to ship, but if you bought some Houdans and then filled the order with polish or anything of his choice you get the chicks of his choice much cheaper. 507-451-6723

 

[toybarons]

aoxa my deepest condolensences.
When you are ready to talk about it, we are here for you.
So sorry =(