Peeps in Europe!

[chickengr]

as for snacks my chickens prefer a salad bar, lol.

I tried to sell my 6 geese and when a lady called and asked a pair I gave her my friend's number to buy from him I've got too attached to them. I wonder how I will survive butchering 10 meat free ranger broilers. they cannot survive heat or live long due to their weight and weak legs.

 

[BDutch]

Free ranging is still not allowed in the Netherlands. We have this contagious bird flew going around and about even in june. In former years the HPAI stopt in spring. But this year it didn’t. New outbreaks occurred in Duck farms. A new mutation is killing large groups of Sandwich Terns now on the so-called Wadden islands up North and the coast in Belgium. They told on the news its no longer a seasonal disease. They compared it with Covid.

For me this is a reason for not wanting more chickens. I have 6 bantams now in 3m2 roofed /night area and 15 m2 net covered run. If its necessary to keep them locked in all day, there is no room for more.

I only let the chickens free range a few hours in the evening now. Because they don’t go far away in the evening. To diminish the chances of getting fined and to avoid that they eat the strawberries in our neighbours garden.

It breaks my heart that poultry shows are not allowed anymore. The result of this is that some people stop breeding heritage breeds. (Are there still shows in Germany @abpatchy ?)

It breaks my hart that we probably never have meadow free ranging and organic poultry again in the Netherlands. Because outside free ranging is not allowed anymore.
All dutch eggs in the shop are from farms where birds are cramped together inside a stable. It says free range on the package. But that only means that they are not caged. 7 chickens on 1m2 is way too much imho.

 

[abpatchy]

This bird flu really sucks.
Shows are still planned. Let's see if they are happening. Last year the big shows in Hannover, Leipzig and Erfurt were cancelled due to covid and bird flu. I hear about lots of breeders quitting. You are correct. The cancelled shows and the higher feed prices are doing the rest. If things continue I will breed less next year for sure.

 

[abpatchy]

My birds are outside and we never had to lock them up. We were really lucky. It got close to us but never too close. I think up north are still some that have to lock them up. But most people don't have to anymore.

 

[CurvyCoop]

Looks really nice!!! I hope it all works out for you!
Just be careful with the snacks. Chickens always act like they have not eaten in days. And then they get too fat. Less or no eggs and it's not healthy for them either.
Good luck with your new hens... do post pictures when they get here!

I will absolutely post pictures!

Bird flu sucks. I'll have a covered run for them and I do plan on letting them out into the garden under supervision eventually, as long as I'm in the garden there won't be any wild birds.
I really hope vaccination will be possible soon. It's outrageous that it isn't yet.

 

[abpatchy]

I will absolutely post pictures!

Bird flu sucks. I'll have a covered run for them and I do plan on letting them out into the garden under supervision eventually, as long as I'm in the garden there won't be any wild birds.
I really hope vaccination will be possible soon. It's outrageous that it isn't yet.

It's not just direct contact with wild birds but also their droppings. That's where the issue is... you can't be out there 24/7. What about just birds flying over the run? Just be on the safe side.

 

[CurvyCoop]

Just picked up my first little babies!

They were a little confused where they were at first, I don't think they've been out on grass before, but they quickly started pecking and scratching around.
Meet Biscuit

And Name Pending

Both are purebred araucanas and about 8-9 weeks old.
I really hope both are hens, but Name Pending does look a little roo-ish out in the light of day haha.

 

[BDutch]

Just picked up my first little babies!

View attachment 3154472

They were a little confused where they were at first, I don't think they've been out on grass before, but they quickly started pecking and scratching around.
Meet Biscuit
View attachment 3154474

And Name Pending
View attachment 3154473

Both are purebred araucanas and about 8-9 weeks old.
I really hope both are hens, but Name Pending does look a little roo-ish out in the light of day haha.

Ooh, they are gorgeous.
And if I’m not mistaken they have tails. Right? I would like to have some green or blue eggers too. But unfortunately the normal sized are to big for my flock.

The bantam Araucana are all without tail (I don’t like chickens without tail).

 

[CurvyCoop]

Ooh, they are gorgeous.
And if I’m not mistaken they have tails. Right? I would like to have some green or blue eggers too. But unfortunately the normal sized are to big for my flock.

The bantam Araucana are all without tail (I don’t like chickens without tail).

They do have tails, yes! I prefer my chickens with tails too. I know there's nothing wrong with the rumpless chickens, but it just look a little weird to me haha
They are full sized, or they will be, right now they are about the size of a little bantam lol.
In two weeks they will be joined by the rest of the flock, two more little pullets; one swedish isbar, one BCM and two dutch bantam hens. They're called "sabelpoot kriel" in dutch, which means "sable leg bantam", but I don't think that's the english term for them. Their owner got in a bit of financial difficulty and put out a request on facebook if anyone would want to give them a new loving home. And I have always loved the mille fleur pattern of these birds and they would be a perfect little fit in my flock so I was very happy to welcome them. She has a job near where I live so I'm within visiting distance which I'm sure is a comfort for her. She'll be delivering them instead of me picking them up so she can see where they'll live and so she'll know how to get here for visits. I told her she can visit whenever she wants and if she ever gets back on her feet and wants them back then that's fine too. I can only imagine the heartbreak of having to give up beloved pets because of unforeseen circumstances so I'll help however I can.

 

[chickengr]

it is funny people are so different. I love rumpless araucanas. I just love to watch them scratching around with those rumpless butts.