INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[redring]

I need some help with info on side sprigs. I hatched out some blues and black cochin bantams that I purchased in spring. Ended up keeping a trio. I just discovered a side sprig on my cockerel Clyde, which is killing me, I wanted to use him to help out my SL breeding pen. So, I can't use him now and he has to go, but my question is, do the pullets carry the sprig trait and can they pass it on to future cockerels that they hatch?



I also have a couple of mottled bantam cochin chicks that will be looking for homes in the next month or so, still attached to their moms. I have a mottled pair, 1 frizzled pullet and a smooth cockerel, then 1 smooth cockerel and 1 frizzled cockerel if anyone is looking to bring in some new blood.

what chicks are these? I giggled at them. Those are some wild looking chicks. Adorable.

 

[tmarsh83]

Hope everyone is safe in these storms. Passed just south of us.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote:
Welcome to our thread! I am so glad you came on over!

Hope everyone is safe in these storms. Passed just south of us.

X2! Thoughts and prayers to the folks over in Kokomo. I didn't catch the news tonight kept losing signal.

 

[kittydoc]

@ChicagoClucker I don't think the genetics of sprigs is specifically known. All I do know is that it is pretty much considered taboo to use a roo or hen with sprigs for breeding. Same with carnation combs. I have had one with side sprigs and two with carnation combs. One of the carnation combs "grew out" to be a 9 point comb (YIKES!), but none of them were placed as breeders. We kept the two pullets in our layer flock. I've started cracking down on comb points (as well as continuing to look for sprigs), and did more "controlled breedings" this year. To my knowledge, I did not produce any with side sprigs and only one with a possible carnation comb (the latter was culled since it was a cockerel) this year. No matter how beautiful he or she is, I would not use a bird for breeding with either fault. If they have a "clean" sibling and you avoid close breeding, you may be OK. As I said, it is just my scientific suspicion that it is related to having an excessive number of points. The one with the carnation comb that straightened out as she matured clearly had WAY WAY too many points with 9! And of course she is gorgeous otherwise, too. I have had no temptation to breed her, though.

 

[ChicagoClucker]

Thanks Kittydoc. I know they are not to be used for breeding. But I was wondering, if his siblings would carry the trait, but it doesn't show on them. I purchased some expensive eggs in the spring, and I believe they came from 2 separate pens, so there is a 50% chance the girls came from the same pen. I just don't want to introduce a problem to my breeding program if they carry that with them. The cockerel is definitely going. I hatched a couple of marans 2 years ago that had side sprigs, and they went. That is the extent of experience I have with them also.Thanks for your help.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Catching up after a rollercoaster of a few days. Classes started up this week with a vengeance. Two of my classes are looking tough already, Physics and Organic Chemistry. Just yikes. I came out of physics on Monday feeling so low that I may or may not have cried a little. Then yesterday I had my first organic chem lab and I thought I was going to puke just reading through the syllabus. The lecture hasn't been bad, but that lab is so daunting. Anyway, I have a friend from another class in organic lab, so I'm at least not going it alone, and after physics lecture yesterday I do feel a bit better about it as well, so I'm keeping my chin up and bracing to tough through this semester!

Thanks. I just checked and am now adding the loss of my eldest 2 Black Copper Marans Roos and my only Golden Cuckoo Marans hen. I have but only 1 large fowl roo remaining and he's a mix from last spring. I am just baffled! Crazy!!!!

Oh, I am so sorry for all your losses! Just terrible! I hope you can find a way to keep your birds safe!

[COLOR=333333]Thank you for all the support & well wishes. We had a great time at the IL state fair. As you can see from DD's face, she was very happy to win both the excellence & superior awards for her poultry science project (Title: Can you tell the gender of an egg?). It's basically the hishest one can get. Several people came by & took an interest (& many photos) of her project. DS had a hard time waiting, but he made the most of it. Although it was a long day, it was worth it. DD is so excited that she's already coming up with ideas for next year's projects! LOL[/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]On a sad note,the missing chick never showed up, but free ranging & simply owning chickens has its happy & sad moments. Thankfully, the ups outnumber the lows.[/COLOR] [COLOR=333333] [/COLOR]

Congrats to her! Can't wait to see what she comes up with next! Just curious, what were her results from this experiment? I mean, I know what they should be, but I'm wondering what the evidence shows.

I havent been on in forever, but I wanted to share some of my silkies this year. Im really proud of these two. They are steel gray with no pencilling. Im hoping to start a project with them.

Beautiful babies, Kab! Do you know what genes are responsible for this appearance?

[COLOR=8B4513]The breeds are known for being docile, and they all get along well. I've never seen one peck another even though there's quite a size/age difference between the Cuckoo and Bielefelder. As far as BFFs, the Chocolate Cuckoo and Chocolate Orps are best buds and are more trusting of the four. The Lavender and Bielefelder were housed together for a week or so at kittydoc's, so they tend to seek each other out especially when I come too close. They are both skittish even though I've spoiled them rotten! That's ok because my two four-year-old LF chickens, EE and SLW have always been skittish. I think some chickens are just born that way.[/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513]They've been doing well in quarantine in my daughter's former bedroom, which is covered in plastic, newspapers, and paper towels. I've quarantined chicks in her room before, but not often enough that I remember what a bad idea it is! LOL The dust bath I made them doesn't help! Although they've been very happy with their room service and entertainment, I have felt bad about not being able to take them outside because of the extreme heat and humidity that differed too much from their air-conditioned accommodations. I made a perch by the bedroom windows, and they enjoy looking outdoors. Finally, this week we had a break in the weather, so I've taken them across the street to DS's back yard where I set up temporary fencing and a chicken tractor. I work on removing invasive vines (my goal in life -lol) while they play. I have observed mild chest-butting —not actually butting, but brief non-threatening poses like "I'm bigger that you," and then they almost seem like they're laughing.[/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513]I've taken many photos of them but have had a terrible time getting any good shots. These were taken a few days ago.[/COLOR]

Yay, I've been waiting for your pictures! They're so beautiful! My babies all bump chests every now and then. I think they just get excited and don't know how else to let it loose. Be patient with your Biele girl, she'll come around. My Violet was about 3 weeks old when I got her if I remember right, and she was pretty standoffish until she was a little closer to laying. Then she became a big snugglebug. I just spent a lot of time sitting on the ground with her and her broodmates, and letting them come to me rather than going to them. Probably helped that Elda the lap-Dorking was in her brood to led the way, though. Editing because 'led' shouldn't have an 'a' in it here, oops... The brain is burnt out after the past few days.

[COLOR=333333]@pipdzipdnreadytogo [/COLOR] [COLOR=8B4513]Great new coop! Which ones get to move in the new place? My coop door/latches are like yours and most of my coop is open like yours except for the sleeping quarters -lol. I found one photo of my solution for weather protection. I made these somewhat transparent heavy plastic covers with grommets for my coop. I made separate covers for different areas for versatility. I screwed in little hooks to attach the grommets. They've held up four years so far. As you can see, I left areas open for ventilation.[/COLOR]

They all get to enjoy it, it's built right off the front of their coop! So it sounds like they now have a larger version of your coop, with a fenced in 'outside' section and enclosed sleeping quarters. Thanks for the pictures! That looks like what I was planning to do, either with tarps or shower curtains. The shower curtains don't tend to hold up, though, so maybe I'll look into something like what you have so that light can get through.

We have a few new additions to our flock! These handsome guys came from @kittydoc Blue Beard (Blue English Orp) and Rascal. They are about as sweet as can be. I love that BB has no tail. DH said he's heart-shaped lol. QUOTE] Wow, Blue Beard is so fluffy I thought he was a Cochin for a second! I love Rascal's name, too. The little silkied Cochin bantam boy I named Roscoe has earned the nickname Rascal, he's such a stinker! Congrats on the eggs as well!

@ChicagoClucker I don't think the genetics of sprigs is specifically known. All I do know is that it is pretty much considered taboo to use a roo or hen with sprigs for breeding. Same with carnation combs. I have had one with side sprigs and two with carnation combs. One of the carnation combs "grew out" to be a 9 point comb (YIKES!), but none of them were placed as breeders. We kept the two pullets in our layer flock. I've started cracking down on comb points (as well as continuing to look for sprigs), and did more "controlled breedings" this year. To my knowledge, I did not produce any with side sprigs and only one with a possible carnation comb (the latter was culled since it was a cockerel) this year. No matter how beautiful he or she is, I would not use a bird for breeding with either fault. If they have a "clean" sibling and you avoid close breeding, you may be OK. As I said, it is just my scientific suspicion that it is related to having an excessive number of points. The one with the carnation comb that straightened out as she matured clearly had WAY WAY too many points with 9! And of course she is gorgeous otherwise, too. I have had no temptation to breed her, though.

On a different topic from your post, but speaking of sprigs and such, how did your Dorking pullets from MPC turn out? Everyone have the right number of toes and everything?

 

[Jntnrmn]

@ellymayRans
I'm sorry to hear about your losses. Ijust lost one last weekend to a hawk. We weren't home but came home to find her, which led us to our cameras...the hawk not only did it, but it continued to hang out in their pen for a over an hour after eating her. If we wouldn't have come home when we did, he probably would have gotten another one. This happened the very morning after I rehomed our d'uccls. I have no doubt the hawk would have had a much easier meal with them so, I am glad they are now safe elsewhere but am sad to lose my RIR hen.

 

[Faraday40]

This photo really made me smile. The chick looks like it's wearing a comic con costume.

Sorry, All I know about sprigs is that they're undesirable. I believe females could also have springs but I do not know if it's dom or recessive.

 

[ChicagoClucker]

what chicks are these? I giggled at them. Those are some wild looking chicks. Adorable.

Hi redring, they are mottled cochin bantam chicks. 1 is frizzled and 1 is smooth. Here is a pic of mom and dad.



@Faraday40 , I didn't really think about the girls having side sprigs until @kittydoc mentioned it. Since I have ended up with this 3rd cockerel to have one since I began keeping chickens, I just assumed it was a male trait that was passed down. I guess I will have to do a test hatch and put the 2 girls in with 1 of my other 2 bantam roos. Grow them out and find out if they carry the trait or not.

 

[iamfivewire]

Hi all
Sorry to read of all the bird losses recently. We had something take a few of ours about 3 weeks ago - prob a dog or fox. Only was able to locate 3 of the 6 bodies.
Hope all are fine with the storms that went thru yesterday - all we got here was a bit of rain.
Still working on some coop/run projects (seems like I'm always modding/upgrading or relocating or adding to something)
;-)
I've moved the new duck coop 3 times already, & may do again for 4th time - or maybe not, being that it's soooo heavy.
Starting to get just a little anxious to get some more projects completed before fall/winter - whish the heat/humidity & rain would be more cooperative.
That's about all for now from up in the Mitten