Iowa Blues - Breed thread and discussion

[WVDan44]

la lala la lala la lala lala.

In other news, Mr. and Ms. Chicken were mentioned at a TSC chicken stock way back here in WV a couple of Saturdays ago. Very nice woman and man I spoke with asked me if I knew them and were very complimentary with their comments.

Weather wise, it will be a cool day with highs in the low 70's and lows in the low 40's. Clouds moving in could bring some rain, but otherwise looks like a pleasant day ahead.

Some IBs are now choosing to rough it outdoors, roosting in trees at night and foraging all day. Don't know what that's all about but they are happy and healthy.

We are in the midst of the Autumn moult throughout the adults and feathers are everywhere!

Meat birds are doing nicely; will have two batches to be processed in about a month.

Whitetail deer are on the move, preparing for the rut. Season opens for archery in a few weeks.

Farmers Almanac says we will have a cold, white, and wet winter...Bummer!

Today is hump day.

 

[WVDan44]

There is an excellent article in the U.K. magazine "practical Poultry" on Breeding Secrets (Spring 2014/Issue 122, page 22) . The article covers topics such as Male dominance, working with nature, fertility problems, and gives a list of desirable traits for both male and female birds.

 

[karimw]

Seems like I fell off the planet for a few weeks. School and harvest are keeping me crazy busy. I also need to reduce the flock, though I find it's challenging this year. Lots of nice young birds to choose from. I must say it's a good problem to have! Not enough room in the freezer though, so I'll have to take some to auction I suppose.

I'll have to check out that article, Dan, dominance traits are interesting to me. I raise my young roosters in the laying flock to promote free range characteristics. My older flock masters are very good with them. They teach them respect without doing too much damage and the hens educate them on polite behavior. I usually have one or two in each age group that are really aggressive to the smaller boys, but I cage them for a week or two and that usually settles them because it knocks them down the pecking order. I do lose a couple of the real wimpy ones, but I guess that's where survival of the fittest comes in. They tend to wedge themselves in tight places to hide and suffocate themselves.No matter what I do to eliminate places like that, they always seem to find somewhere I missed

Oh well, these are usually the smaller weaker chicks I probably should have culled early on anyway.

 

[mrandmrschicken]

Seems like I fell off the planet for a few weeks. School and harvest are keeping me crazy busy. I also need to reduce the flock, though I find it's challenging this year. Lots of nice young birds to choose from. I must say it's a good problem to have! Not enough room in the freezer though, so I'll have to take some to auction I suppose.

I'll have to check out that article, Dan, dominance traits are interesting to me. I raise my young roosters in the laying flock to promote free range characteristics. My older flock masters are very good with them. They teach them respect without doing too much damage and the hens educate them on polite behavior. I usually have one or two in each age group that are really aggressive to the smaller boys, but I cage them for a week or two and that usually settles them because it knocks them down the pecking order. I do lose a couple of the real wimpy ones, but I guess that's where survival of the fittest comes in. They tend to wedge themselves in tight places to hide and suffocate themselves.No matter what I do to eliminate places like that, they always seem to find somewhere I missed

Oh well, these are usually the smaller weaker chicks I probably should have culled early on anyway.

I can certainly help you out with freezer storage space Kari. I could rent it out to you or maybe work out a trade arrangement. I have lots of zucchini (summer squash) that need a good home!

 

[karimw]

I can certainly help you out with freezer storage space Kari. I could rent it out to you or maybe work out a trade arrangement. I have lots of zucchini (summer squash) that need a good home!

LOL, that's one thing we don't have! Too many squash bugs to produce good squash. Are you planning to come to Iowa City in Nov? Bring a cooler and I'll be sure to send some home with you!

 

[RevDoug]

We have 2 dozen beautiful IBs thriving down in Pella now, Kari. Thanks for that! I need to take some pics; they're looking wonderful!

Doug B in Pella

 

[bekkanblue]

To folks coming to the big show in Iowa City in Nov, is there one day of the weekend that would be best for a total newbie to see? I'm scheduled to work that weekend but am hoping I can get one day off to spend at the show. I've never been to a poultry show before so I'm pretty excited its so close! And/or if there's a day that has more IB club work needing volunteers I can try for that day, I'm a pretty good worker!

And hey Kari, my 9 are doing great and are total trouble makers. : ) Apparently they're explorers not content with the main chicken yards. They like the truck, the front yard, the driveway down to the road, the barn... Silly little pack! Tried to send pics to the list but my phone choked on the upload. Will try again soon.

 

[karimw]

We have 2 dozen beautiful IBs thriving down in Pella now, Kari. Thanks for that! I need to take some pics; they're looking wonderful!

Doug B in Pella

That's great Doug! I'm glad they are happy in their new home. Their brothers and sisters here just moved out to the brooder in the coop and are enjoying being able to flap around. You should be able to get an idea of males and females at this stage. The pullets have long wing feathers and look a little like beetles with fuzzy necks. The males have shorter stubbier wings and usually are causing a great deal of trouble

To folks coming to the big show in Iowa City in Nov, is there one day of the weekend that would be best for a total newbie to see? I'm scheduled to work that weekend but am hoping I can get one day off to spend at the show. I've never been to a poultry show before so I'm pretty excited its so close! And/or if there's a day that has more IB club work needing volunteers I can try for that day, I'm a pretty good worker!

And hey Kari, my 9 are doing great and are total trouble makers. : ) Apparently they're explorers not content with the main chicken yards. They like the truck, the front yard, the driveway down to the road, the barn... Silly little pack! Tried to send pics to the list but my phone choked on the upload. Will try again soon.

The main show is on Saturday, so we will likely have a table set up then. That would be the best day to come and we'd love to see you. Likely we will have a club meeting as well and we'll let everyone know what time. It would be great to see you! They usually release the birds Sunday morning, so there won't be much to see except the awards ceremony and a bunch of folks franticly packing.

Glad your chicks are doing well! They are a very active breed and so fun to watch!

 

[Candy442]

Post the November show link or info for us "outsiders" to Iowa

 

[karimw]

Here is the link for EIPA show in Iowa City!
http://www.poultryshowcentral.com/Eastern_Iowa_Poultry.html