Poultry Breeds of Spanish Ancestry

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southernmomma said:
Thank you :)

No chickens yet...actually just starting my journey and have decided to learn as much as possible before taking the leap. Kind of a 'measure twice cut once' mentality ;) In all honesty I've just recently realized that a Mediterranean breed may be more suitable to my family's needs, geography and what appeals to me (versus a heavy breed). It took me weeks just to join the forum and post as I find all the talk of plumage and type a little intimidating, but I am determined to start our flock with the best I can afford and wish to follow proper breeding practices in order to maintain a healthy flock that is self-perpetuating. I have enjoyed the learning curve very much so far!

Thanks,
M
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If you live in a place where it is hot then yes they area great choice for you!
 
Hangtown Farms said:
Ron how would Pita Pinta and Basque be for a new chicken keeper? Maybe a good blend of mellow and heat hardy.
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Both are great for new chicken keepers! The Pita Pintas are the friendliest Large Fowl and the EO Basque are next to them. They are very healthy--no sick ones yet--and lay a lot of eggs.

They are heat hardy and do not have quite as big of combs as Penedesencas. Pita Pintas have slightly faster growing Cockeresl. They both get to about the same weight.
 
ronott1 said:
Both are great for new chicken keepers! The Pita Pintas are the friendliest Large Fowl and the EO Basque are next to them. They are very healthy--no sick ones yet--and lay a lot of eggs.

They are heat hardy and do not have quite as big of combs as Penedesencas. Pita Pintas have slightly faster growing Cockeresl. They both get to about the same weight.
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The Pita Pinta are lovely! and the Basque are on my radar as well but I'm curious, can someone define heat-hardy for me? I'm interested in a breed that will thrive in 100*+ summers that are humid (north Louisiana). These two are also a little on the bigger side, correct?
Friendly is not especially high on my list of desired traits--I would hate to feel I was slaughtering something akin to the family cat! I'd prefer a breed that will, at the most, acknowledge my presence, not come looking for affection.

There is a breeder (partridge pen's) I've found but have never seen mentioned Autrey's Friendship Farms.....opinions?

Thanks,
M
 
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southernmomma said:
The Pita Pinta are lovely! and the Basque are on my radar as well but I'm curious, can someone define heat-hardy for me? I'm interested in a breed that will thrive in 100*+ summers that are humid (north Louisiana). These two are also a little on the bigger side, correct?
Friendly is not especially high on my list of desired traits--I would hate to feel I was slaughtering something akin to the family cat! I'd prefer a breed that will, at the most, acknowledge my presence, not come looking for affection.

There is a breeder (partridge pen's) I've found but have never seen mentioned Autrey's Friendship Farms.....opinions?

Thanks,
M
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Humidity does not factor in with chickens, except for cooling with misters. Chickens do not sweat. The Temp is the critical factor. Penedesencas do not get hot up to110. Basque will show a bit of heat at those temps. For two summers, I have done nothing but provide shad for the Spanish breeds. We hit 110 a couple of times last year. A person 150 miles north of me had something like 15 Marans die on one of those days.

They still lay eggs at that heat too.

Basically, Ultra Heat hardy means they do not die in the heat. It does not phase them either and you do not need to do anything but give them shade and water.
 
Quote:
ronott1 said:
Humidity does not factor in with chickens, except for cooling with misters. Chickens do not sweat. The Temp is the critical factor. Penedesencas do not get hot up to110. Basque will show a bit of heat at those temps. For two summers, I have done nothing but provide shad for the Spanish breeds. We hit 110 a couple of times last year. A person 150 miles north of me had something like 15 Marans die on one of those days.

They still lay eggs at that heat too.

Basically, Ultra Heat hardy means they do not die in the heat. It does not phase them either and you do not need to do anything but give them shade and water.
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ronott1 said:
It makes it go down. Going down is good at hatch, so if it goes down to 98.5 or 99 it is a good thing.

I should add more I suppose.

I read some research articles where they experimented with lower temps and chicks hatched fine down to low temperatures. They hatched faster and recovered more quickly.

It is probably in part due to more oxygen. O2 goes down with heat and humidity. Somewhere over 80% humidity ant 100 degrees and the chicks suffocate. If a lot of chicks hatch at one time, Humidity can get into that range quickly.
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Is this not the case for adult birds?

However that turns out, I still would like to know what this "lower temp" for hatching is?
 
Lacy Blues said:
Quote:
Is this not the case for adult birds?

However that turns out, I still would like to know what this "lower temp" for hatching is?
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I am hatching at 98.5. The studies I read said down to 97 was ok. I am not that brave and 98.5 works very well.

With the heat and humidity, it is not the lower O2 that kills them. It is likely over heating of the brain and organs.

I wonder what it is about the Penedesencas that lets them cool down? Comb size? Body Size?
 

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