re: Barnvelders

[ewesfullchicks]

I've long admired the beauty of this breed, and am really tempted to get some this spring from Ideal.

For those of you who have raised them - how do they compare laying wise with Cuckoo Marans/Welsummers/Buff Orpingtons?

Do you like them?

What are the pros and cons?

Thanks!

Rachel
SE Texas

 

[drom]

Quote:
I was interested in dark brown egg layers and put the question to people on this site about which birds were the best layers of Marans, Barnevelders, Welsummers and Langshans.
I believe there seemed to be a consensus on a couple of characteristics of the Barnevelders:
The are not very productive layers
They are very beautiful looking birds.

I can't remember what they said about temperament.

 

[ewesfullchicks]

Thanks - so I should just get maybe 3, and consider them "eye candy".

 

[3 sisters farm]

I have what turned out to be a roo from Ideal, but he is very gentle and actually is the most considerate roo about crowing....waits until the sun is way up. He lets my girls pick him up and pet him. Gentle to his hens, recognizes when they aren't up to he affections, babies any hurt hen....just returned my hen that had become a househen due to frostbite....a couple hens came to peck, he immediately protected her....her back was still clean tonight....so he hasn't tried yet! I have an immature pullet, but she is beautiful.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I have a few Barnies in a tractor. They are pretty birds but the ones I have don't lay a dark egg and they came from a breeder. I have some coming from a hatchery to add to this little flock and hopefully get some darker eggs.
The breeder birds are a bit skittish at times but food will turn them. The roos are huge and stocky. They have a nice loud crow but the hens are very quiet. I like them okay but they are not my absolute favorites.

 

[citalk2much]

I am on the list with farmerswife here on BYC to get a few eggs this year I can say her birds look great thou on her web page she list them as brown egg layers not dark layers I have been told that show birds lay lighter eggs and the stock birds lay darker eggs. I am a newbie to the chicken really so that is the best help I can give

 

[amazondoc]

The egg color has mostly been lost in this country. And they are not famous for laying ability. But they are attractive birds with nice personalities. You have to pick what's most important to you!

 

[Tailfeathers]

Hi,

Have you looked into the Barnevelders at all? I'm so tired of talking about hatcheries verses breeders that I'm just gonna say check it out. Do some research.

To start with Barnevelders are very rare. Think about what you're gonna do to the breed if you get hatchery birds and then start breeding and selling yours.

Also, you've got to understand and consider the differences between hatchery birds and breeders. Which means you must understand what a hatchery's goals are and what a breeder's goals are.

All I'm gonna say is just think about and know what your doing and why you're doing it.

God Bless,