Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Shadrach]

This is a really interesting question. I've had some personal experience that makes me think there's something to it. Could be a theory related to females and child bearing more generally...

I know rats can increase or decrease their productivity depending on population and I can't remember which, but some other creatures can as well.

 

[Shadrach]

Out of curiosity, is there many options available to you for sussex varieties other then Light?

There are. Speckled Sussex are fairly common in the area I live in and on the other side of the country (East) the Red Sussex is quite popular.

 

[Shadrach]

May I join this thread? I must admit that I have not read all 1625 pages, yet. Here is my taxView attachment 3592379View attachment 3592380View attachment 3592381

Of course you may.

 

[fluffycrow]

Of course you may.

Thank you so much! I've got a LOT of catching up to do, but I'm already finding this thread extremely interesting and educational. It's also nice to listen to chicken keeping stories, experiences and breeds of fellow Europeans. Like for example in page 73 (I believe?) you showcased some bantam hens that look awfully similar to one of mine. Just something I find very interesting, though I should mention

 

[TropicalChickies]

I know rats can increase or decrease their productivity depending on population and I can't remember which, but some other creatures can as well.

As @fuzzi probably remembers from Watership Down, the doe rabbits of the Efrafa warren were reabsorbing their litters before birth as a result of the stress of overcrowding, underfeeding, and confinement. Apparently, this really happens.

https://www.msdvetmanual.com/all-ot...es abort or,contaminated with urine and feces.

 

[Shadrach]

28/07
I have two Light Sussex pullets reserved from someone I know. I'm not obliged to take them, he's doing me a favour in making the offer.
I located 4 Creasted Cream Legbar hatching eggs.
I also found a Dark Dorking breeder who breeds the lighter breed. Good solid British breed is the Dorking and I'm sorely tempted even though they are expensive.
I only had enough time to clean out and feed Henry and Carbon and get Fret off her nest to make sure she ate and drank.

29/07
Picked up the hatching eggs this morning and got them under Fret this afternoon. She has four of her own eggs and four CCl hatching eggs under her. I'll pick up an insulation tile for under the nest box tomorrow and after that it's down to Fret.

I got an internet introduction to someone who keeps ranged Red Sex Links; a similar arrangement to the allotments now, three or four hours out of the run on grassland mostly. They would be willing to donate some hens next year should I be interested.
They kill their hens at 2 years old rather than eighteen months.

Fret's nest.

A quiet pleasant afternoon after a hectic couple of days.

 

[Shadrach]

Thank you so much! I've got a LOT of catching up to do, but I'm already finding this thread extremely interesting and educational. It's also nice to listen to chicken keeping stories, experiences and breeds of fellow Europeans. Like for example in page 73 (I believe?) you showcased some bantam hens that look awfully similar to one of mine. Just something I find very interesting, though I should mention

They would be from when I was in Catalonia. Most of their pictures are on By Bobs thread.

 

[fluffycrow]

They would be from when I was in Catalonia. Most of their pictures are on By Bobs thread.

Thanks, I'll go do some snooping there as well then. Did they have a name given to them by the locals, by any chance?

 

[fuzzi]

As @fuzzi probably remembers from Watership Down, the doe rabbits of the Efrafa warren were reabsorbing their litters before birth as a result of the stress of overcrowding, underfeeding, and confinement. Apparently, this really happens.

https://www.msdvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/rabbits/breeding-and-reproduction-of-rabbits#:~:text=Occasionally, pregnant does abort or,contaminated with urine and feces.

The author did his research, including using a book The Private Life of the Rabbit by R.M. Lockley.

 

[Shadrach]

Thanks, I'll go do some snooping there as well then. Did they have a name given to them by the locals, by any chance?

The bantams were not a local breed,
The Marans were French, bought in Marans, France and the crosses were a cross between the two breeds.