Houdans

[Kassaundra]

I only wish it was so easy. They flooring was grippy. It was the birds themselves. Even as older birds, several developed twisted legs that turned backwards. I hatch other breeds as well and have never encountered such things. At least one thing I never have problems with is twisted beaks. I am wondering about trace minerals now.

If your other chickens have the same environment and never have the problem I would doubt it is diet or environmental, sounds more like you have a genetic issue w/ one or more of your houdans.

 

[Schipperkesue]

I would normally agree, except these Houdans come from three different sources.

I would be interested in hearing from someone who has a flock of Houdans and not a few pairs. Is there anyone here raising Houdans large scale? I have a theory that part of the reason why fanciers of this breed seem to be so few and far between is that the breed is not particularly hardy as a whole and the losses breeders sustained as well as the lack of interest in the breed itself made raising this breed not feasible, financially.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

You might try contacting Dr. Keith Bramwell at the University of Arkansas Poultry Science Department. I got my eggs from him and while we only hatched out 4 I had no problems with mine. He has been breeding them quite a while and would probably have some good scientific data for you.

 

[Chambertin]

All I can say is that they seem pretty hardy here in China.

The breeder I bought from has a 500 chick minimum policy. We were only able to buy so few because we drove there, and they thought it was pretty funny anyone would want to raise chickens in their apartment. When we came back for more they were astonished, and pretty excited to hear about the project.

They sure seem to have a solid breed.
Its not all that great for asthetics, but for hardiness, meat, and laying it gets a good rating.
Even when I was walking through the incubator and brooding areas it looked like a 1-4% loss rate from genetics, disease, or what have you. I was impressed.
Also a little jealous, I want a place like that.

Again I wish you the best of luck in stabilizing the breed, you could be very right about the conditions.
I just hope that's not the case.

 

[hdowden]

the ornamental contest is almost over once i find at least 2 more judges. i am going through the list i have and there are no entries for some breeds. if you want to enter now is your chance to do so. thank you (please if you enter more than one bird use seprate post for easier judging and try to include at least 3 pics from different angles)

houdan ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/648685/ornamental-houdan NO ENTRIES YET

 

[heritagehabitatfarms]

here is pic's of the comb of the houdan cross birds i have... they where crossed with a straigt combed breed and this one and seveal others look like a leaf comb to me... i have had trouble finding anything about leaf comb genetics but i am wondering if this is how you get it... and i think ill try to keep it going in this line of projects... tell me what u think...

 

[Chilifur]

Straight comb crossed with the Dv/Dc get you a leaf comb, generally. Overall, Dv is Polish and Crevecour. Dc is Buttercup. Houdan has Dc/Dv so that it splits (Dv) and isn't complete like the Dc - Dv is dominant to Dc. It's late (for me) - hopefully this makes sense...

 

[Chambertin]

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.

 

[TNBEARCHICK]

thanks... im getting exited about next years breeding now lol... i have an adult pair and am setting every egg she lays+ these new chicks and i am hoping to go back up to the UofA one more time here in the next month or 2 and get some more eggs... i would like to have about 25 or 30 to chose next years breeding flock out of... im planing on keeping about 6 to 8 hens and 2 or 3 roosters for breeding stock...

HOW MUCH do they get out of there eggs?

 

[TNBEARCHICK]

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

VERY FUNNY