Peeps in Europe!

[chickengr]

Due to difficulties in my life I had to cut down on chickens. I will probably just have the bantam Sulmtaler in the future. I can't quite let them go all the way... I have only one breeding group left 1.4 and 2 bantam groups 2.4.

sorry to hear that. chicken world is at loss.

 

[fluffycrow]

Glad to read everyone’s updates, whether positive or negative. I hope those that have had a good few months keep on having so, and those who didn’t, to find some peace and calm in the next few months.

Everything here has been calm since mid Autumn. Lady Gaga left behind his last two offspring that were being raised by the summer broodies, one pure serama boy, and a serama mix pullet. The boy has yet to establish himself as the head of the group, and I’m guessing it will be a while before he does, which I’m ok with.

In the main group, most of the boys from the Easter hatch were sent to be butchered, and only two remain. The pullets have started laying along with the older girls. Things don’t seem tense between the two age groups, not even the boys.

Big Red’s little group is doing good, enjoying their piece. No kids there to bug them

 

[Maiahr]

I don't butcher and clean my animals but was told the secret. keep the (butchered) duck upside down (keep the feet with your hands) pour the hot water so that water falls on feathers the opposite way of growing. never put ducks in a bucket of water like chicken, you will not be able to clean it.

So what are you doing with all your animals if you don't cull?
Ducks - I tried another method and it seemed it worked as it was super-easy to clean it. I was surprised... Put it in a bucket with hot water which is almost boiling water (as opposed to chicken where I use water 60-70C) and add baking soda in the water. Works really well. I haven't checked the "Ducks" thread here in the forums. There may be other easy ways. I will try your suggestion on the next duck. This was my last, but my ex-fiance has and he will definitely need help to pluck the feathers.
BTW you told me you had Czech Dominants before? Or I am mistaken..?

 

[chickengr]

So what are you doing with all your animals if you don't cull?
Ducks - I tried another method and it seemed it worked as it was super-easy to clean it. I was surprised... Put it in a bucket with hot water which is almost boiling water (as opposed to chicken where I use water 60-70C) and add baking soda in the water. Works really well. I haven't checked the "Ducks" thread here in the forums. There may be other easy ways. I will try your suggestion on the next duck. This was my last, but my ex-fiance has and he will definitely need help to pluck the feathers.
BTW you told me you had Czech Dominants before? Or I am mistaken..?

I don't butcher but I have 2 friends who do that for me.

years ago I bought cuckoo legbars and later found out they were chech dominant hybrids. they were imported from italy to greece.

 

[LaFleche]

Happy and healthy New Year to you!
I hope you all had a good start.

It has been awhile since I last visited but I hope to be able to drop in more often in 2025.

 

[Maiahr]

Just to let you know - we have 50cm of snow where I live. My chicken coop is not heated, BUT I have heaters under the feeders and waterers, so they are eating and drinking warm. I feed them soaked wheat, and cabbage, for dinner - corn. They are laying eggs like in the summer, I.e. they haven't stopped laying eggs. They spend a lot of time in their ash jacuzzi

 

[chickengr]

I wish we had snow instead of continuous rain. some of my coops flooded as well as a goat house. I put some pallets to keep my animals dry.

 

[chickengr]

@Maiahr do you know if there is still a big weekend (friday to sunday) market in dimitrovgrad? I've heard there used to be one where people sell animals as well as the other things.


you asked about cz dominant chickens. you can check this link:

https://www.olx.bg/d/ad/prodavam-selektirani-yaytsa-CID339-ID9DUiP.html

 

[Maiahr]

@Maiahr do you know if there is still a big weekend (friday to sunday) market in dimitrovgrad? I've heard there used to be one where people sell animals as well as the other things.


you asked about cz dominant chickens. you can check this link:

https://www.olx.bg/d/ad/prodavam-selektirani-yaytsa-CID339-ID9DUiP.html

The Dimitrovgrad market is mainly on Sunday. I have been there. Need the whole day to walk through... Have you been there or want to go?

The green shelled CZ dominant - I have these and they are laying ok. I bought eggs from the exclusive importer in Bulgaria and hatched them on a broody. I bought eggs from 5 CZ Dominant breeds : Exchequer, Black Leghorn, the green shelled, the dark brown shelled and Sussex. I hatched them all on broody hens. Black Leghorns - all died around 2-3 months of age. Sussex- didn't hatched well, but what hatched is OK. Exchequer - didn't hatched well and subsequently 1/2 died. Anyway, overall I am not impressed by healthiness of the chick's. Looks like hybrids are not so strong and no immune system at all.

 

[Maiahr]

Interested - are there (exclusively) chicken markets/exhibitions in your country? Anywhere in Europe...