Langshan Thread!!!

[PetRock]

I received sad news this past weekend. My big white roo Gandalf died. My friend said that he didn't go into the trailer coop at night but her kids didn't know that. They found him dead outside the coop in the morning. There were no marks on him so not sure what killed him.

I guess that changes my direction a little as I will not be breeding whites. Originally, I had not planned on breeding whites just BBS but Gandalf was such a huge hunk of love that I just had to breed him. I only have 1 white hen and she is on the smaller side so she will stay in my friend's layer flock.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Aw PetRock, I'm sorry, he was a looker. It could be that he panicked a bit too much at being left outside alone or he could have been "ran around" by something and knocked his head. Either way, sad that you lost him.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

I like combs that follow the head as well, but if I recall correctly the standard says they should not follow the head. I'll have to go back and look... It's hard to remember everything. He looks a bit rough but I can see that he has a lot of potential and I am definitely starting to notice the features that you like and look for in a bird. I look forward to seeing him again in a few weeks and hearing what you think of him then. This has been some great learning lately. Good on you Mikaela!

Thanks, but I'm not really doing anything that important. Just trying to help where I can. I keep wanting to put him on the ground to grow, but can't do it yet as he's in quarantine. Maybe in another 2 weeks when I'm sure he's clear of anything. He's got potential and he was the only one of two that developed in a similar way to my own birds. They may take longer to mature this way, but overall I feel it makes them more useful should they wind up not being what I want as a breeder. It's why I don't look for feather growth initially. I want birds that concentrate on putting the protein and other nutrition in building their frame and body. After that's done, they can start concentrating on the feathers. I have pullets that won't have tails until close to maturity, but when they get there, the feather width and condition will be spectacular. Then again, maybe I just like wasting money..

 

[BGMatt]

Thanks, but I'm not really doing anything that important. Just trying to help where I can. I keep wanting to put him on the ground to grow, but can't do it yet as he's in quarantine. Maybe in another 2 weeks when I'm sure he's clear of anything. He's got potential and he was the only one of two that developed in a similar way to my own birds. They may take longer to mature this way, but overall I feel it makes them more useful should they wind up not being what I want as a breeder. It's why I don't look for feather growth initially. I want birds that concentrate on putting the protein and other nutrition in building their frame and body. After that's done, they can start concentrating on the feathers. I have pullets that won't have tails until close to maturity, but when they get there, the feather width and condition will be spectacular. Then again, maybe I just like wasting money..

There's many different ways to get good results with the end product in our breed. I think slow maturity vs faster maturity is more personal preference and use of the bird. I do wonder if there is a link between slow feather growth and feather width? I will pay attention next breeding season since I have birds from you (slow developing) and others (faster developing). Just random musings on a slow day...

 

[PetRock]

Aw PetRock, I'm sorry, he was a looker. It could be that he panicked a bit too much at being left outside alone or he could have been "ran around" by something and knocked his head. Either way, sad that you lost him.

Thanks, Mikaela! Of all of our Langshan roos, he was my favorite. Maybe Thor will grow into his legs and end up as big as Gandalf.

 

[PetRock]

Then again, maybe I just like wasting money..

We could start a club for this (or a support group!!!)! I think about that when I have my DH pick up poultry feed for the birds here and the ones at the farm. He wants me to start selling fertile eggs and chicks so we can write off some of the expense. Making it a business doesn't sound like as much fun!

 

[199787]

Oh

I received sad news this past weekend.  My big white roo Gandalf died.  My friend said that he didn't go into the trailer coop at night but her kids didn't know that.  They found him dead outside the coop in the morning.  There were no marks on him so not sure what killed him.     I guess that changes my direction a little as I will not be breeding whites.  Originally, I had not planned on breeding whites just BBS but Gandalf was such a huge hunk of love that I just had to breed him.   I only have 1 white hen and she is on the smaller side so she will stay in my friend's layer flock.

Oh no! So sorry to hear that! He must have just freaked out.

 

[PetRock]

Oh
Oh no! So sorry to hear that! He must have just freaked out.

I wish that I knew what happened. He was not a freak out kind of roo, at least I didn't think so. Thor on the other hand is always jumping when the girls get him. He faced off with a tiny lavender Ameraucana the other day and she whipped his butt! Her sister came and joined in on the fight. It was funny to see him jump over her to get away!

 

[Dirt Farmer]

Are you sure the reason he didn't make it in wasn't because he had already died? Not that it matters I guess. I just hate to lose a bird I have plans for breeding. Sorry for the loss of your favorite and your plans. He's in chicken heaven now where the scratch tub lid is always slightly ajar.

 

[PetRock]

Are you sure the reason he didn't make it in wasn't because he had already died? Not that it matters I guess. I just hate to lose a bird I have plans for breeding. Sorry for the loss of your favorite and your plans. He's in chicken heaven now where the scratch tub lid is always slightly ajar.

Part of the problem is that they are at my friend's farm which is 20 min away from where I live. I can't obsessively check on them through the day like I can my layer flock and grow outs. I didn't find out that he died until a couple days later. From the way my friend described it, they would have seen him when they shut up the coop at night if he was already dead. She said that there was not a mark on him. I would have liked to send him in to UC Davis for a necropsy but he was long buried by the time I heard about it. I would really like to move out in the country so I could take care of my own birds and not be dependent on someone else to do it. That's funny about chicken heaven!