Larkwell Valley (2023)

[JacinLarkwell]

Even the Littles I lose from broodies that go there are gone the next morning. The only things they don't seem as interested in anymore that are failed hatching eggs. The magpies used to love those, not so much anymore. It rakes those a couple days usually

 

[Canadian Wind]

You can eat it, and I don't think they're are any effects if your animals eat it. The vast number I've been culling and my speed/time don't work out though, so we use them for feeding the coyotes and other critters. Usually only takes a night for them to disappear so long as the birds themselves weren't showing severe symptoms. It's interesting to notice that if a bird is sick enough with the virus that they no longer can stand, nothing will take them. Even out of 6 or 7 birds, if one was that sick, it will be the only one untouched the next morning.

Well, the animals know. Thanks for the info!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Well, the animals know. Thanks for the info!

They must. I guess I could see the raptors and other birds leaving the mareks birds alone, but it's interesting that even the foxes and coyotes (and those things will eat anything) won't eat them either

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Lost the other hatched ducklings. Something got the Silvers two and Knuckle's got chilled over night and couldn't come back even after I moved him to under a lamp. Pretty bummed about that. I have some more shadowing under a hen and a newer clutch under a duck hen, I might take the ones the chicken hatches and just raise them myself.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Saxony male is getting handsome!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Looks like Gramps' "tufts" are growing out, I dont really see them anymore. One of Silvers ducklings had them too, so I'm wondering if it's just a quirk in the down fluff

 

[Canadian Wind]

Looks like Gramps' "tufts" are growing out, I dont really see them anymore. One of Silvers ducklings had them too, so I'm wondering if it's just a quirk in the down fluff

That's sad. Woulda been cool if he retained them.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

That's sad. Woulda been cool if he retained them.

Yeah, I'll look again closer tomorrow when I feed and water, but I'm thinking theyre not going to stay visible

 

[troyer]

If you get a male and female with the tufts you might be able to breed for it.
Perhaps it needs to be a double gene in order to be visible as adults.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

If you get a male and female with the tufts you might be able to breed for it.
Perhaps it needs to be a double gene in order to be visible as adults.

Maybe. Gramps is in the mixed pen so far planwise, so I'll see if any females end up with it to hold onto