La Fleche Thread ~ PIC of my Black La Fleche

[phasianidae]

Quote:
I would buy from Urch/Turnlund. I saw some of Duane Urch's La Flèche at the Minnesota State fair this year - I'm no expert but they looked better than many others I have seen, they had very nice combs as well.

 

[paduanchook]

Although they can fly well, I have no probes keeping them in my pens. They aren't nervous chickens bit they aren't lap chickens either. The problem I've had is that they are not hardy as chicks. And not as meaty or large as I believe they should be. I am trying to breed them up but I need a new bloodlines to introduce into mine.

 

[pgpoultry]

I don't know if it is the amount of grass (or rain....lots of that around here), but the 5/6 La Flèche which I hatched 22 or so weeks ago have grown remarkably quickly and are almost as big as Brahmas hatched at the same time. They don't hang around the door all day waiting to be fed,they are off foraging and free ranging all day, which is a pleasant change from some of my lazy bunch.

Though quick moving and great flyers, they come when called and will take food from my hand, so they hardly class as 'untameable' as I read in one book on poultry.

They put themselves away without hassle at night and are never aggressive.

I've read that they don't do so well in the cold, so was wondering if I needed to insulate the coop?

If anyone has any more tips about these lovely birds, I would be very grateful.

 

[exop]

Sounds like we Americans could use some of your stock!

Seriously - size, vigor and outcrossing, all badly needed here, and it wouldn't hurt to have a few friendly ones either.
Were yours originally from a hatchery in Wales?

 

[pgpoultry]

Mine, amazingly, were Ebay eggs from a chap in North England (nice chap, 100% positive feedback), and the 5/6 hatch came after hubby managed to dislodge the incubator lead....found the eggs stone cold in ambient temperature below 50 degrees at least 12 hours after the lead was pulled out.

So I was lucky, very lucky indeed as I have 5 pullets and 1 cockerel.

 

[chickmashnoon]

pg poultry- whats your winter temeratures like? i'd like to get some in the next year or two but my winters here can get pretty chilly -25 kinda chilly and i just want to compare.

 

[pgpoultry]

Our winters tend to be relatively mild, but -10 is fairly common overnight and can be quite a lot colder. La Flèche do survive in Britain OK, though, so I'm thinking of insulating their coop a bit fro when we have the colder nights.

 

[pgpoultry]

Ok, a question for those who know this breed as I am new to them.

Lastat my La Fleche cockerel seems to have a second little comb growing out of his snout. Is this going to be a problem to him?

 

[DaveK]

Quote:
Not a problem for him or for the breed. Just one of those characteristics, little seen nowadays, that comes from the breed's distant background and history. There is or was a picture on Feathersite of a bird bred by Jack Barnes of Hiram, Maine, showing what appears to be the same thing. Your birds sound lovely. And the grass. One of the breed's most dedicated enthusiasts says they will graze almost in preference to eating grains and pellets. Looks and sounds like you are off to a very good start. This breed deserves and needs more enthusiasts no matter which side of the pond they are on.

 

[pgpoultry]

Thank you, DaveK, I was wondering if it would obstruct his breathing!

I certainly would agree with the foraging bit as mine largely feed themselves, though they are still partial to all the usual treats.