Redcaps

[heritagehabitatfarms]

i still follow this thread and love the pic's and info... this breed is on my list i just dont have the room to do them justice right now...

 

[flitter]

I understand that... I wish I could grow out a hundred or more and over winter better birds but... somethings aren't feasible. Part of the reason I don't is culling... I cull hard and have been able to rehome my extra pullets as layers. The cockerels are not as easy to "take care of".

 

[Guccibirds423]

Is anyone still working on this breed?

 

[flitter]

I'm trying but am no expert.

 

[Guccibirds423]

I'm trying but am no expert.

Flitter,

So I think it is just going to be you and I then. I am getting chicks this year. These and Le fleche are going to be the only breed I work on, They both need a lot of work. Where are your birds from? I am planning on ordering chicks from all 3 hatcheries sandhill, ideal, mcmurray.

 

[Guccibirds423]

Do all your Redcap pullets have white earlobes? where did your birds come from?

 

[flitter]

The nicest Redcaps I had came from McMurray. I got them about five years ago and kept several. I lost the best three two/three years ago. I hadn't done any breeding/hatching until that summer and none of their eggs hatched. It was a very wet summer and I'd only kept one roo so...? I replaced them with Ideal and SandHill chicks. I think I'm ordering from McMurray again this spring.

Good luck with your endeavor. Maybe in a few years we'll have something approaching a "true" Redcap. I like the bird's personality... a bit flighty but so curious!

 

[Guccibirds423]

would you be willing to sell eggs from your sandhill stock?

 

[flitter]

Probably... I haven't hatched from these roos (I have two) but I assume they would be OK. The hens do have white ears.

 

[Guccibirds423]

I have found out that almost all hatchery stock has white ear lobes. I am trying to think of a way to breed it out of them.. or find someone with some that dont have them. Maybe if we breed back with a male that doesnt the color will eventually come out. Like I said I am ordering from Ideal and mcmurray. I would love to get some sandhill line in there as well. so if you are interested in selling some I would like to get a dozen or so.. if possible.