Naked Neck/Turken Thread

[Pensmaster]

You are not going  be getting a true Cornish from MM.  Legs are too long, etc for real Cornish. They have mixed in other breeds for better egg laying and mating. 

As far as only having NN roosters, why do you think a NN rooster will be better than a NN hen?  I wanted a rooster specifically so I could use a collar without worry of it hurting the feathers and have not regretted that decision.  My NN rooster is like a puppy but he looks down right scary.

Good morning Nchvac,

I've noticed the MM breed of DC being strange. Some short legs some tall some regular comb some pea. Thought it was quite a mix. They do say in their description that they use multiple colors in their breeding just not multiple breeds.

The feed store only had roosters available at the time I saw them. I didn't pick any up partly because of that and they were wet due to the nipple water they were using. I was afraid they'd get chilled on the way home. If I do pick some up in June I'll bring a heated water bottle to put on with them for the trip home. I'm very leery of getting chicks outside my coop as I've been stung before.

We are still considered country here so roosters crowing haven't been a problem. No more so than a barking dog however new neighbors are moving in closer and closer. They don't strike me as the kind that like chickens. I could be wrong on that.

Thank you for letting me know about the DC from MM. I had already begun suspecting something was up, that confirmed it.

 

[Pensmaster]

You mean the Legbars, right? Yes, at least mine do - they are the most "predictable" of my chickens. They go to bed on time, know to go to roost, always "in bed" first, etc. They also hide very well and have good camouflage. I love my NNs, but it took them a little while to figure out it was bed time, and they aren't always the smartest when a hawk is near. If I had to turn them all loose I would be least concerned about the Legbars' ability to survive.

Give them some time - I think they'll grow on you. It does help to think of them like cats, they sort of act a lot like that.

One of these days I'd like to cross them with Naked Necks...

- Ant Farm  

(Edit: Sorry, I suppose some of that was a bit repetitive...)

Ok I'm going to try to let them out during the weekends while I'm here for a few hours see how it goes. Lots of little leaf hopper bugs, if that's what they are called, so maybe I can get some bug control again. I also have three leghorn hens in with them. I had stopped letting the LF out due to losses

Have you had anymore problems with the critter getting to fly traps. Mine are doing real well. Of course now it's cooler again so no flies out.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Quote:
I can't speak for your birds, of course, but for me, the cream legbar group is the only one here I haven't had to "rescue" anyone from being stupid, so to speak. Do they know the coop well and feel that it's home? I have read that they lay outside the nest box, but I've not seen that.

I have had the fly traps dragged all over creation, and in fact I fear it DREW raccoons/ other critters into the yard that weren't there before (based on scat). So I have given up for now. I may reconsider, but for now I'm using a mongo fly stick thing that seems to be getting at least some of them, and I have on my to-do list to enclose/cover the compost piles with landscape cloth to ensure more effective covering of the poop (so the stuff I put on top doesn't later slide off...).

- Ant Farm

 

[Pensmaster]

I can't speak for your birds, of course, but for me, the cream legbar group is the only one here I haven't had to "rescue" anyone from being stupid, so to speak. Do they know the coop well and feel that it's home? I have read that they lay outside the nest box, but I've not seen that. 

I have had the fly traps dragged all over creation, and in fact I fear it DREW raccoons/ other critters into the yard that weren't there before (based on scat). So I have given up for now. I may reconsider, but for now I'm using a mongo fly stick thing that seems to be getting at least some of them, and I have on my to-do list to enclose/cover the compost piles with landscape cloth to ensure more effective covering of the poop (so the stuff I put on top doesn't later slide off...).

- Ant Farm 

I know and I'll watch them closely.
Strange about the fly traps. I know I have raccoon here and they've not bothered them. The things stink soooo much no living critter should. I also used the fly strips. Between the two it's pretty good here.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Quote:
Well, that was with the attractant that came with them. Perhaps if I try rotting organ meat it'll work...

- Ant Farm

 

[Pensmaster]

Well, that was with the attractant that came with them. Perhaps if I try rotting organ meat it'll work... 

- Ant Farm 

Be sure to put water in with it. About an inch when it dries add more. I've a picture of my trap that I built out of the old bag one and the nut container. It's reusable but it's ugly. And I use disposable gloves to empty it.

Both my neighbor and I have used the bag ones from the store without raccoons bothering them. I'd hate to meet your raccoons.

 

[DesertChic]

You mean the Legbars, right? Yes, at least mine do - they are the most "predictable" of my chickens. They go to bed on time, know to go to roost, always "in bed" first, etc. They also hide very well and have good camouflage. I love my NNs, but it took them a little while to figure out it was bed time, and they aren't always the smartest when a hawk is near. If I had to turn them all loose I would be least concerned about the Legbars' ability to survive.

Give them some time - I think they'll grow on you. It does help to think of them like cats, they sort of act a lot like that.

One of these days I'd like to cross them with Naked Necks...

- Ant Farm

(Edit: Sorry, I suppose some of that was a bit repetitive...)

That's interesting, because my NNs were the first ones to sound alarms whenever they sense danger and my NN roosters are VERY diligent about rounding up the girls and escorting them to safety. And my boys always took it upon themselves to work together to get the girls into the pen at night and then had their own individual patrols to complete before turning in themselves. Their devotion to the hens/pullets is one of the things I've always loved about this breed.

 

[Pensmaster]

That's interesting, because my NNs were the first ones to sound alarms whenever they sense danger and my NN roosters are VERY diligent about rounding up the girls and escorting them to safety. And my boys always took it upon themselves to work together to get the girls into the pen at night and then had their own individual patrols to complete before turning in themselves. Their devotion to the hens/pullets is one of the things I've always loved about this breed.

Interesting that they do that. I've always brought my flock in by offering feed to them. All come running at once. The one time I did not make it home in time for them some were in the pen some not. Had to round them up myself. Of course it was not routine for them so rooster wasn't thinking round them up I'm sure. He would sound the alarm for danger even for planes.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Quote:
Oh, the boys are diligent and protective generally. They just aren't as naturally hard wired to recognize a predatory threat and respond appropriately. When the hawks first started, the CLs sounded the alarm first and either went in the coop or, if that was too far, went under a bush and stayed very still. The NNs sort of ran around clucking and then bunched up against a random side of the fence (essentially exposed). Now, maybe they've gotten older and have learned, I'm just saying that from a very young age, the CLs were already wired that way - it goes with the "flighty" reputation.

There was once when a young skunk had gotten into the NN paddock overnight. I saw it out the window in the morning and went running out. Fortunately, the thing mostly just wanted to get out, but the NNs just blithely wandered out of their automatic door (which had just opened) and started spreading out. When I went to the edge of the fence where the skunk was, and the NNs actually started running over to be with me (and therefore running toward the skunk). I finally had to go get a bunch of sunflower seeds to spread elsewhere to distract them so I could keep them away and drive the skunk out. I can't imagine if it had tried to go after them...

I love my NNs. I just know that mine, at least, are a bit silly when it comes to self preservation. Not totally stupid, just not as savvy as the CLs...

- Ant Farm

 

[chickengr]

Interesting that they do that. I've always brought my flock in by offering feed to them. All come running at once. The one time I did not make it home in time for them some were in the pen some not. Had to round them up myself. Of course it was not routine for them so rooster wasn't thinking round them up I'm sure. He would sound the alarm for danger even for planes.

I wish my chickens stayed out in summer when it is hot. but they always sleep in their coop. when they are sleepy they just go to their roosts even if I am not around. they are good kiddies, lol.