Maine

[buckabucka]

Right now, I have for birds:
White layers: brown leghorns, a white leghorn, an Ancona
Almost white: 2 Austra whites- I like this mix, good layers but one is broody
Brown: an old barred rock, 1 light Brahma, Silver-laced Wyandotte, NH, a couple Basque
Dark brown: golden cuckoo Marans, one blue splash Marans, 1 wheaten Marans, a Barnevelder.
Green/olive: a bunch of mixed breed birds
Blue: lavender Ameraucanas, 1 wheaten Ameraucana

If I could add a breed, I'd like some wheaten Ameraucanas. The lavenders are beautiful, but they get feather issues if you don't keep breeding them back to black (and I don't). I'd love a super-dark laying Marans. I've always wanted to try faverolles, but they are gentle and would need their own flock. I miss my Welsummers too, And my buff chanteclers. I've had very few breeds that I don't like, -just individuals.

 

[lazy gardener]

What do you think of the Barnevelder? That's one breed that's peaked my interest. Are her eggs very dark? they are listed as a dark egg layer. How does her comb size compare to other st. combed birds???

Thanks for your input.

I started a light for my flock last night.

 

[enggass]

Barnevelders eggs are dark'er' but not like a Maran... More of a Terracotta in color. Shape is a little more rounded/symmetrical. I had some beauties I hatched from TLS_Ranch(Trisha)... She has been breeding them a long time. https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/tls-ranch-barnevelders Egg production is average I'd say.

 

[lazy gardener]

Barnevelders eggs are dark'er' but not like a Maran... More of a Terracotta in color. Shape is a little more rounded/symmetrical. I had some beauties I hatched from TLS_Ranch(Trisha)... She has been breeding them a long time. https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/tls-ranch-barnevelders Egg production is average I'd say.

I wish you'd never posted that link. You made me drool!!!

 

[enggass]

Trisha shipped me 10 eggs a few years ago and 8/10 hatched. From California to Maine. Beauties for sure... she now has Blue Laced as well...

 

[Hiltonizer]

Finally got the last of the birds into the new greenhouse, just in time for the cold temps. It's quite the menagerie with them all under one roof. Still have 2 more compact tractors to build, so one group will have free reign until next weekend probably... the only group dropping eggs still ironically. Hopefully the wife will be able to put up white Christmas lights in there tomorrow to help matters along. Should look neat from the road all lit up!

 

[islandgirl82]

What do you think of the Barnevelder? That's one breed that's peaked my interest. Are her eggs very dark? they are listed as a dark egg layer. How does her comb size compare to other st. combed birds???

Thanks for your input.

I started a light for my flock last night.

The Barnevelder is a breed that has caught my eye as well. I'm trying to avoid adding any more birds with straight combs but of all the photos of them I've seen, the hens' combs look considerably smaller than those of other dark brown egg layers. I'm curious to know how they compare as well. If you got some to breed with Jack, would you end up with pea combed offspring?

 

[DwayneNLiz]

There were just some gorgeous barnevelder eggs on the 24 hour auction thread they ended last night but I bet the seller will have more eggs soon

 

[lazy gardener]

The Barnevelder is a breed that has caught my eye as well. I'm trying to avoid adding any more birds with straight combs but of all the photos of them I've seen, the hens' combs look considerably smaller than those of other dark brown egg layers. I'm curious to know how they compare as well. If you got some to breed with Jack, would you end up with pea combed offspring?

Pea x straight = pea. But it's not as compact as a pea that does not have straight mixed in. I really like pea x rose. It has yielded a very compact walnut for me. I think I've dropped the idea of the Barnevelder, mostly due to their decreased egg count. Plan on going with my original plan for Buck Eye. They have a pea comb, so should blend into my current gene pool quite nicely. Thinking about ordering 2 trio's of those, along with the other birds I'll be ordering.

If anyone is interested in going in with me on an order to Cackle to be delivered to my house (Bangor area) mid April, send me a PM. I expect to be placing it middle of this month so I can secure the breeds and shipping date I want.

 

[enggass]

Does anyone know if there is a thread for MaIners who sell hatching eggs? Would be s great resource as we could drive for eggs as opposed to the USPS. Love to hear what you all have to offer in regards to eggs...