Naked Neck/Turken Thread

[Turk Raphael]

Me and Eric went to a swap today, the ladies next to us were selling showgirls and someway or another they ended up giving us this cockerel because they didn't have use for him in any of their projects, I've always said I wasn't going to raise showgirls because of the feathers on their feet, but I couldn't resist him once she took him out of the cage and he strutted around. super personable. And the lack of bow tie was another draw. I believe he's "red Pyle"? I can never tell with silkies. Oddly enough, he's the same age as my NNs from my Breeders hatch, and he's already bigger? I was always told showgirls were bred to be small (like smaaaaaall) Hopefully he continues to grow. I have a preference for LF.

If he gains considerable size, he could be useful in a breeding program...meat or eggs...and I emphasize 'or'. I have never really seen a breed or bird that was even passable in both arenas. One side or the other gives out. I will have NNs for so long as I have chickens but I intend to cross them over Cornish types and White Chanteclers.

I mentioned somewhere that I might eliminate ALL things that hold me to the farm.....I have since realized that my chickens will always be on my farm...everything else has gone...even the beloved dairy goats.

I'm working with a woman on being my caretaker and the good part is that she lives only 3 miles away, has no chickens but loves them. We'll see.

Sorry for the hijack.

Aaron

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

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Not a hijack in my eyes. You know, even without extensive travel planned (I got a lot of that out of my system when younger), I still find myself making decisions own chickens, waterfowl, and livestock very much based on what I think it is reasonable to ask a sitter/caretaker to handle/manage. It really does keep you very close to home. You are thinking about all the right things. If you have someone you can trust, and keep the core breeders around for your most important goals/projects, you can travel and then pick up again later...

- Ant Farm

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Oh, and to follow up the hijack of my own earlier (in case anyone cares), I managed to go ahead and move Mr. Chunky Monkey NOW - easier than expected. I managed to have all the pullets INSIDE the tractor except one, so I herded the last one in and shut the auto door and unplugged it. Then I went to catch Monkey (which took a little while, but he was very good once I got him). I haven't held him since he was a lot younger - I kept him because of his size and shape (had not planned to keep any Marans boys), and he has grown well. I weighed him by the subtraction method with me on the bathroom scale, and he's a respectable 8.5-9 pounds. He's also built really well, body like a big brick.

He really is a very sweet boy.




He's in there now, trying to figure out what to do with the pullets. He's been mature and ready for girlfriends for ages, but now that he has them, they're just looking at him like "as if". Poor fella, he's making little sad sounds like he missed his bachelor pad. Sorry bud - now you have to WORK if you're gonna live under my roof.

(While they're locked in there, it'll give me a chance to fix and redo their paddock, and also see if I can get some control over the mud in there - it's a dirt bowl...)

And now, back to your regular NN programming...

- Ant Farm

 

[GabrielBane]

Not a hijack in my eyes. You know, even without extensive travel planned (I got a lot of that out of my system when younger), I still find myself making decisions own chickens, waterfowl, and livestock very much based on what I think it is reasonable to ask a sitter/caretaker to handle/manage. It really does keep you very close to home. You are thinking about all the right things. If you have someone you can trust, and keep the core
breeders around for your most important goals/projects, you can travel and then pick up again later...

- Ant Farm 

Agreed! I travelled heavily on 2012-2014 after high school and college graduations and not that I've seen the places I wanted to see, we only travel for events or annual parties (or family events)

 

[DesertChic]

Snape keeps them all in line pretty well, so it's hard to tell who's top of the pecking order. But she's well, almost to the SIDE of the pecking order. She truly sort of does her own thing (but no one bothers her).

Well, today, the excuse was, "But Mommy, I found a spot where you dumped out some old potting soil, and the dust bathing is so much better out here!!!! What's the big deal?!"



Speaking of pecking order, forgive the non-NN post (and cross post form Educational Incubating thread). But I've got bored pullets in Goodwin's coop - now that he's gone, I think they're starting to get unruly. Specifically, the 3 cream legbars, previously well behaved are being a pain and now bullying the others, esp. the OE Arbequina (who is an AMAZING layer, BTW). I am not attached to them, they are not laying, I don't plan on ever hatching their babies, and they are sort of ticking me off... I'm not ready to process them - yet (I think that's an over-reaction - I have lots of hens that aren't laying yet, and pecking order is pecking order). So, I have a few choices - what would you do?

1) Put them back in with their parents - I have a CL coop with Dumbledore, their mother Lissa, and Jenny (who is nearly blind and has ocular Mareks). It's comfortable (if a little extravagant) for the three. That is actually the plan whenever Jenny finally dies anyway. Downside to this is that it would make that coop a little cramped compared to before for the older three, and I'm thinking it wouldn't be pleasant for Jenny at all. (I think I've talked myself out of this option). OF note: Dumbledore, Lissa and Jenny are the only ones that truly qualify as pets - they were my first. I'll keep them and feed them as long as they live. They're very sweet and easy.)

2) Go ahead and put Monkey in there with them. Monkey was already going to be their rooster, I was just considering waiting until the big coop was built. I'm thinking he can get them under control. It'll be a little hard at first, as it always is introducing a new rooster/cockerel, and a little more snug to keep them locked up for a while compared to if they were in a bigger tractor, but it's gotta be done some time. And it'll decompress the Frat house a bit. I'm leaning toward this option.

3) Suck it up and cull the mean little freeloaders. (Their brothers were SUPER mean as well - meanest little chickens I ever raised, picked fights with everyone form a very early age.) This is the first thing I thought when watching them going after Arbequina. But if I can get them laying again, I do enjoy the blue eggs, and they were well behaved with a cockerel around.

This is the only group I have with no cockerel or rooster. I think I'm gonna do option #2... I need to put fresh bedding in there (if I'm going to lock them up together for a little while). Thanks for listening.

- Ant Farm

I'm with you on option #2 for now. And then, once you have the time, cull those little wenches. It's soup season!

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

I'm with you on option #2 for now. And then, once you have the time, cull those little wenches. It's soup season!

Actually, now that Monkey is in there with them, it's so calm it's almost silent, and EVERYONE is on their best behavior. So, I think we've fixed things, as least for now.

I like blue eggs. Until I add other blue layers to the flock, I'd like to keep them if I can... If they behave...

- Ant Farm

 

[nikkers390]

Did Nava ever get back to you ? I have tried to get her info for ordering with no such luck

I did not. I sent an email, PM with no answer. I wonder if they are still selling chicks. If you hear from them, please let me know. Meanwhile I ordered NN from 3 different hatcheries hoping for some variety.

 

[Beer can]

I did not. I sent an email, PM with no answer. I wonder if they are still selling chicks. If you hear from them, please let me know. Meanwhile I ordered NN from 3 different hatcheries hoping for some variety.

Doesn't look like she is on BYC very often. Not very good IMHO. Should at least have some sort of website, many out there do, small breeders, or at least use Craigslist.... or let people know why she is unavailable for purchase after putting up for sale.
Many here though can hook you up with hatching eggs, not myself yet, just getting started in them. Most awesomest birds I've ever delt with though.
More into these naked necks than I could be of any breed. Don't think I would trade them for anything 'GreenFire' has to offer for $$$.
What hatcheries did you order from? I got mine from Cackle and am very happy with what I got, can't wait till spring and see what they hatch out. Really love my giants, but looking forward to a bunch of naked necked 'ostrich' chicks in a brooder, cause they are the coolest ever

 

[chickengr]

Actually, now that Monkey is in there with them, it's so calm it's almost silent, and EVERYONE is on their best behavior. So, I think we've fixed things, as least for now.

I like blue eggs. Until I add other blue layers to the flock, I'd like to keep them if I can... If they behave...

- Ant Farm

when my roos were sick and in the house my hens got crazy. but once I put the boys back with them everything was under control.

brw, you are lucky that you are far away from me so I cannot steal Monkey from you!

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

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He is a sweet pretty boy, isn't he?!