Olandsk Dwarf Chickens

[BerrytangleFarm]

Yep, Sweetie Pie is a boy, sorry!

 

[mlm Mike]

So what does everyone do with their extra cockerels? We process our large fowl, but I can't imagine processing these sweethearts. I am hatching mostly boys though and can't imagine I'll be able to find homes for all of them locally. There isn't much demand for bantams here.

I haven't had to yet, but the plan is just to process and make stock/soup.

 

[tbird9]

So what does everyone do with their extra cockerels? We process our large fowl, but I can't imagine processing these sweethearts. I am hatching mostly boys though and can't imagine I'll be able to find homes for all of them locally. There isn't much demand for bantams here.

We aren't doing our own processing right now, but we do eat them. We have a mix of LF and bantams and wait until we have a batch of 20-30 extra cockerels and then take them to be processed by a local facility that is USDA licensed. We have processed here, but once we found this place decided it was worth it, at least for the larger birds.

It is definitely an expensive choice to include the bantams as they charge the same fee per bird, large or small, but I can't imagine just killing/disposing of them here without using the meat. So we end up with a lot of little 1 to 1.5 pound birds in the freezer.

They roast up really nice in just our little toaster convection oven, we make one for each person for dinner.

 

[mzstre]

Thanks for the info! I'm sure we'll get to the point of processing them as well. It wouldn't be a problem at all if they weren't so darned friendly!

 

[TeamCutler]

These guys are beautiful and have such a cool story behind them! I didn't go thru and read all 60+ pages of posts but from what I saw they tend to be docile, personable and I believe I read that they don't tend to be very loud? I'm trying to convince my husband to allow us to get a roo. Does this seem to be everyone's experience? Are they truly less noisy? I am sure it varies bird to bird.

 

[mlm Mike]

These guys are beautiful and have such a cool story behind them! I didn't go thru and read all 60+ pages of posts but from what I saw they tend to be docile, personable and I believe I read that they don't tend to be very loud? I'm trying to convince my husband to allow us to get a roo. Does this seem to be everyone's experience? Are they truly less noisy? I am sure it varies bird to bird.

They seem to crow loud enough,just not as loud as LF. If you live somewhere that doesn't allow roosters, your neighbors will know he's there. Of course, if its the only rooster you have your experience could be different.

 

[TeamCutler]

Thanks for the reply! We are in an un incorporated part of the county and pretty certain we don't have restrictions on roosters. I know in Seattle itself they don't allow them. I would love to have one of these guys but wasn't sure exactly how they stacked up noise wise. Just want to be conscious of neighbors.

 

[BerrytangleFarm]

Thanks for the reply! We are in an un incorporated part of the county and pretty certain we don't have restrictions on roosters. I know in Seattle itself they don't allow them. I would love to have one of these guys but wasn't sure exactly how they stacked up noise wise. Just want to be conscious of neighbors.

We have large, medium, and small breeds in the barn. They all seem to crow just as loud to me

 

[TeamCutler]

We have large, medium, and small breeds in the barn. They all seem to crow just as loud to me

That doesn't bother me as much. The hubby needs convincing. This breed is just so unique. I think I have heard about your establishment! Nothing but good things I Assure you. Are these guys comparable in size to seramas?

 

[Sebrightsrock]

That doesn't bother me as much. The hubby needs convincing. This breed is just so unique. I think I have heard about your establishment! Nothing but good things I Assure you. Are these guys comparable in size to seramas?

I have both Olandsk and Seramas and they are fairly the same in size. Since Seramas vary so much in size though I would say the Olandsk are problably in the C to D size classes for Seramas.




Serama Size Chart:

Sizes – Cocks,
Micro – upto 13 ounces
Class A – under 13 ounces
Class B – under 16 ounces
Class C – under 19 ounces
Class D - anything over 19 OZ

Hens
Micro – upto 8 ounces
Class A – under 12 ounces
Class B – under 15 ounces
Class C – under 17 ounces
Class D - anything over 17 OZ