Houdans

[Puddin Fluff]

I have them mixed in right now, as I'm not hatching, but I will separate during a certain period of time for breeding season to keep it all pure.





Here are my two female polish x silkie cross. I'm attempting to get them closer to a silkie..


They will be Sizzles eventually. This is generation 1. My male here will be mated back to silkies. The females above that are smooth will be mated back to silkie roosters. It's going to be a long process. Ah well.

A long process but sounds like fun. I wish I had the facilities to do some seperate breeding. I think next year we will do a hatch from our mix just to see what we get. We are going to take a break this spring from chicks as my hubby wants to have a decent vacation this summer and with babies it is hard to find a decent "sitter". With the established flock I don't have a problem but I hate to put baby care on my friends.

I do so wish my silkie would take a liking to my sizzle cochin but so far he is going for the big girls only. I have only seen him and the male Houdan on Spike so, who knows what kind of chickies we would get.

 

[aoxa]

A long process but sounds like fun. I wish I had the facilities to do some seperate breeding. I think next year we will do a hatch from our mix just to see what we get. We are going to take a break this spring from chicks as my hubby wants to have a decent vacation this summer and with babies it is hard to find a decent "sitter". With the established flock I don't have a problem but I hate to put baby care on my friends.

I do so wish my silkie would take a liking to my sizzle cochin but so far he is going for the big girls only. I have only seen him and the male Houdan on Spike so, who knows what kind of chickies we would get.

We're building 12 breeding pens. Two levels high. 4x4 feet each pen to hold pairs and trios (and 4 or 5 bantams in some). That should give them plenty of space. What you need is a broody hen to raise your chicks. Then no need to worry about baby care

I hate confining, but it has to be done to keep them pure. I need to sell pure to pay for feed for the other birds.

They'll be free ranged from May - January again. They'll forgive me.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

We're building 12 breeding pens. Two levels high. 4x4 feet each pen to hold pairs and trios (and 4 or 5 bantams in some). That should give them plenty of space. What you need is a broody hen to raise your chicks. Then no need to worry about baby care

I hate confining, but it has to be done to keep them pure. I need to sell pure to pay for feed for the other birds.

They'll be free ranged from May - January again. They'll forgive me.

How do they do when you mix everyone together again? Is it like starting all over with the pecking order or do they kind of remember eachother and get along okay? It is stressfull for me when we blend new birds in and I know it is to the flock as well. Just wondering if they already kind of know each other if it is easier.

 

[aoxa]

How do they do when you mix everyone together again? Is it like starting all over with the pecking order or do they kind of remember eachother and get along okay? It is stressfull for me when we blend new birds in and I know it is to the flock as well. Just wondering if they already kind of know each other if it is easier.

They free range, so they seem to work it out okay. Only my barred rock boys fight.

I'm constantly adding younger birds to the mix. They are used to it.

 

[Lilwanis]

Believe it or not guys...UofAr is not the only promising source. There are a few people who are breeding competitive show standard Houdans that just aren't on byc or as dialed in on selling. They may not even be aware that there are people chomping at the bits and willing to pay good money to establish a flock with their lines. Let me go through my correspondence and research and I will post and we can compare notes.

I look forward to seeing what you have. I don't know where to look other than online. Google has led me to many hatcheries, informational sites, BYC, but no breeders/exhibitioners.

 

[ashandvine]

Believe it or not guys...UofAr is not the only promising source. There are a few people who are breeding competitive show standard Houdans that just aren't on byc or as dialed in on selling. They may not even be aware that there are people chomping at the bits and willing to pay good money to establish a flock with their lines. Let me go through my correspondence and research and I will post and we can compare notes.

I just sent you the breeder info for the person I found at the Congress. Someone told me there was a thread for the congress so I might hop in there too. Mr P Allen is into conservancy and is all over the internet with e-pets I think. He and Dr Bramwell have worked together from what I understand. Houdans, even the nice ones I have seen in here and from other shows, really are below weight and their type is a little too upright in my opinion. There is a man in here who posts pictures of his show winning Houdan from 'back in the day' who you might talk to. (fowlman01) A lot of people have given up on them till recently. The best way to learn what the size might look like on a breed is to find a comparably sized breed for those visually dominant learners. Even LF Polish aren't heavy. You are talking Antique Rocks here. Go to the deli and imagine holding three or four of their tall, two pound containers. That would be what your bird should weigh. Now compare this with the upright, diminutive Houdans seen now and you can see how they have gone to 'carry on' size. Its possibly to breed them with Anconas, if you can find good ones of those (again tough but not impossible if you hit the shows or threads in here) to try improving their size. Its a 6 year commitment either way. At least.

I look forward to seeing what you have. I don't know where to look other than online. Google has led me to many hatcheries, informational sites, BYC, but no breeders/exhibitioners.

If you are serious attend shows and big ones that are likely to have the chance of Houdans being there. Walk in and get the breeder list. It will have the breeders info. I found Crevoceurs at the local fair but did not see one at the Congress. Also if there is 4H or a bird club talk to them. They have lists of members that aren't on line or advertising and then there are the folks they know who aren't into the club. Network

 

[Lilwanis]

Believe it or not guys...UofAr is not the only promising source. There are a few people who are breeding competitive show standard Houdans that just aren't on byc or as dialed in on selling. They may not even be aware that there are people chomping at the bits and willing to pay good money to establish a flock with their lines. Let me go through my correspondence and research and I will post and we can compare notes.

I just sent you the breeder info for the person I found at the Congress.  Someone told me there was a thread for the congress so I might hop in there too.  Mr P Allen is into conservancy and is all over the internet with e-pets I think.  He and Dr Bramwell have worked together from what I understand.  Houdans, even the nice ones I have seen in here and from other shows, really are below weight and their type is a little too upright in my opinion.  There is a man in here who posts pictures of his show winning Houdan from 'back in the day' who you might talk to. (fowlman01)  A lot of people have given up on them till recently.  The best way to learn what the size might look like on a breed is to find a comparably sized breed for those visually dominant learners.  Even LF Polish aren't heavy.  You are talking Antique Rocks here.  Go to the deli and imagine holding three or four of their tall, two pound containers.  That would be what your bird should weigh.  Now compare this with the upright, diminutive Houdans seen now and you can see how they have gone to 'carry on' size.  Its possibly to breed them with Anconas, if you can find good ones of those (again tough but not impossible if you hit the shows or threads in here) to try improving their size.  Its a 6 year commitment either way.  At least.

I look forward to seeing what you have. I don't know where to look other than online. Google has led me to many hatcheries, informational sites, BYC, but no breeders/exhibitioners.

If you are serious attend shows and big ones that are likely to have the chance of Houdans being there.  Walk in and get the breeder list.  It will have the breeders info.  I found Crevoceurs at the local fair but did not see one at the Congress.  Also if there is 4H or a bird club talk to them.  They have lists of members that aren't on line or advertising and then there are the folks they know who aren't into the club.  Network

Thank you, I will do that. I am a relative infant in this world, so one step at a time for me. What would be the best way to find out about big shows? Should I join the APA? There is a local group that I will be looking up again soon. Are there other sources of information? I may put off my breeding program for the houdans for another year until I am more informed and active in the world of poultry, but they are in my plans for sure. I may get some hatchery chicks for my son for this year. It is hard to engage him in anything and this breed has his attention. If anyone has ever had a child with a developmental disability...

 

[Lilwanis]

Sorry my posts tend to be so disjointed. I keep getting interrupted while posting.

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

Has anyone seen or gotten birds from Jeff Oxley in Ohio? I was in contact with him last fall, he has some nice wins under his belt with his Houdans, but I haven't been able to get pictures...much less eggs. Strikes me as the kind of guy that would be easier to deal with face to face, you know?

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

I'm also wondering if anyone might know what will become of Karen's flock at Anderago Farm in California after her and her daughter's devastating deaths. Such sad news.