Peeps in Europe!

[Erba]

I think you got me mixed up... It was BDutch who lost all his chickens. I "only" lost 2 of my hens.

I thought that too, until I looked at the avatar!

 

[abpatchy]

I meant AnnaWolf... now I got all mixed up too!!!

 

[Erba]

Yup, but good to know that it wasn't just the hens. I had a look at the eggs that didn't hatch. 3 didn't make it to term, but the other one would have been white, it had internally pipped but never got to the external pip stage...very sad. Anyway I gotta get slaughtering, but I had to work this weekend, so am aiming for the next one now. I have made myself a list of what has to go. I only have 2 young mixed cockerels to slaughter, I thought I had three, and the old guy is top of the list. And one of the Light Sussex Roosters. I am waiting until Spring, to decide which of the other roosters I will keep. See how they treat the ladies and me, after the old guy is gone.

 

[abpatchy]

@Erba normally I would say... they got to have a nice comb... meet the standard...and be nice to the hens. But you are not breeding for show.... but it's sitting right on the tip of my tongue.

 

[Erba]

But you are not breeding for show....

It's for my show, though!!

 

[abpatchy]

It's for my show, though!!

 

[BDutch]

I think you got me mixed up... It was BDutch who lost all his chickens. I "only" lost 2 of my hens.

Ooh ... I got it mixed up. It was @AnnaWolf who lost all of her chicks.
So here’s the digital hugging that was meant for Anna.

ps . Just saw the later messages Thanks for correcting me.
And please send some more messages of nice things. I don’t like the messages about culling chickens much . Even if it’s necessary.
Thats one serious reason for me not to get into breeding for exhibitions.

 

[abpatchy]

I know what you mean about breeding for show. It took some getting used to. I am still not and probably won't ever cull like some breeders do. That chick has the wrong color... gone... comb not perfect... gone. And I mean chick... tiny cute little fluff balls.
Culling can be a good thing too. LIke today... I enjoyed a wonderful rooster for lunch... he had a good life until his death. He was able to run and enjoy the sun. He had a quick death and wasn't carted half way around the world to get butchered. I am grateful to him for feeding my family.

Culling for sickness or injury is sad. But so is watching them suffer.

So for a better subject... here is the youngest rooster. He hatched April 12th. The last one standing so to speak (of that hatch) I still got 2 hens from that hatch. All the other hens are sold. I have high hopes for him... But as young as he is... he is mating with the hens already. They are just starting to lay eggs... and he is getting busy (he is younger than they are) Since he is alone with the hens, he turned into a proud rooster. So wonderful to watch!
My other other roosters have gotten huge! Almost intimidating when those 7 large roosters stand in front of me! I keep reminding myself not to hesitate. Today I checked their rings to make sure they are above the spurs before it's too late (it's not good for showing as well it's not comfortable for them). Wow.. some of them have thick legs! And they are in their prime! Pink feet! The hormones are raging!

 

[chickengr]

That sucks... the problem with Sussex is that they are breeding hybrid chickens...making them look like Sussex and selling them as Sussex. Same with Maran(s)... (they call them Maran instead of Marans. People think they got pure bred Sussex.

there are buff sussex as well. some people keep both colours together.

it is true about maran(s), although it is correct to call them maran - without s. in french the last letter is not pronounced. here in greece people call them marans, with s at the end and that is not correct. (sorry for the lesson.)

 

[AnnaWolf]

Oh no!!! I am sooo sorry!!! Maybe you could get vaccinated chickens (chicks) when you replace?

Thank you. Yes I will do that, but for now I'm taking a breath.