Share Chicken Breed Information, behavior, Etc.

[MageofMist]

On chicken behaviour, I have noticed chicks with a hen mother start dustbathing way sooner than chicks with a human mother. Here's a vid of the 2 week old chicks dustbathing with their mum... They do have drier dirt, but like the wet dirt it seems, must be cooler.

 

[sassysarah]

Great job!! I never knew that!

 

[MageofMist]

Great job!! I never knew that!

The ones I raised started dustbathing around 5-6 weeks old I believe when almost fully feathered/fluffed, even though they were brought outside a lot to forage about with me, that was when I first saw them dustbathe.

 

[sassysarah]

Oh wow!

 

[e72071]

We have a pretty diverse flock of hens but we'd really love to get a Black Copper Maran to add to our flock.

Can anyone share info on this breed? TIA

 

[Mace Gill]

On Black Australorps and Jersey Giants

My opinions, of course

Champion layers! I'd say the best non industrial layer! They are a dual purpose breed that are better on the 'laying' side than the 'meat' side. They slow down laying in winter, but do not stop! Most of mine are 3 1/2 years old, the older girls have slowed slightly, but still laying well! The eggs are large light brown eggs with good healthy shells and tough membranes. As for meat (I have limited experience with my own birds in this) the meat is dark, even the breast meat. Even an older chicken will make a good stew if you soak the meat in wine overnight before stewing.

They are all weather birds who winter well and can stand confinement in a pinch. They don't like direct sun much and prefer cool days with clouds, but from 0 to 100 degrees, a dry coop, and good feed and water, they are good to go!

The hens are gentle and curious, beggers for treats, but good foragers. My rooster is nasty, but PROTECTS THOSE GIRLS! He obsesses over them, corrals strays, and let's them eat first before he does.

They don't go broody often and sometimes have false starts when broody, but when they do hatch a clutch, they are excellent mothers.

On Jersey Giants ... not a breed I would've chosen, because they are a 'meat' breed, but I happened to obtain two through circumstance. Fed on a layer diet and NOT on a grower diet, they have not grown huge and have proven to lay very well! Their eggs are smaller, but with a large yolk and every bit as tasty. Without growing to full 'meat bird' potential, I have a heck of time telling them apart from the australorps!