The Pita Pinta Asturiana

[ronott1]

LOL, love the popcorn!

Odette has spent the last couple of days pacing up and down between the coop and the run, all day long, scratching around but not laying, and I started to get worried that she was having trouble. But I posted a question to BYC about it and lots of people sent their very cute and reassuring stories about what their pullets did before they started laying, so then I felt better. At first Odile would follow her back up to the coop, but then she stopped. But then this afternoon, she followed her up again -- I wonder if she knew this was the big moment. They were up there for a while, then came back down. I went out to the coop, not expecting to see anything, and there was the egg! I couldn't believe it was a real egg and not the wooden one I had put in there! I actually put them both in my hands and weighed them against each other, mainly because I think I was just so shocked to find an actual egg. Also, as you say, it's so pretty that I think in some reptilian part of my brain I thought another wooden egg had magically appeared; it seemed so perfect. Crazy, right? Then, I sort of didn't believe it would be an egg inside when I cracked it open. But it was!! So cool. I didn't hear the egg song, but I was listening to the score of Swan Lake (appropriate) while working on my book manuscript, so I guess that covered it up.

Yes, that is typical.

I think Odile and Odette will lay eggs together when they are both laying. It is a hoot to see them do that. I have had three hens in the same nest box before.

 

[Ballerina Bird]

Yes, that is typical.

I think Odile and Odette will lay eggs together when they are both laying. It is a hoot to see them do that. I have had three hens in the same nest box before.

So cute and funny!

 

[caychris]

How did everyone get their birds? Its my understanding that for most of us Debi is the pusher of all things Pita. Is there anyone who may have birds that came from the set of eggs that were brought over that are not descendants of Debi's birds.

It would be nice to know where those original bloodlines went or be able to expand on the gene pool a little.

How many generations removed from the original hatching eggs are everyone's birds?

I only have the one pullet and one cockerel now but I really like these guys.

 

[Ballerina Bird]

How did everyone get their birds? Its my understanding that for most of us Debi is the pusher of all things Pita. Is there anyone who may have birds that came from the set of eggs that were brought over that are not descendants of Debi's birds.

It would be nice to know where those original bloodlines went or be able to expand on the gene pool a little.

How many generations removed from the original hatching eggs are everyone's birds?

I only have the one pullet and one cockerel now but I really like these guys.

My birds are from Ron, but he might have gotten them from Debi, our favorite Pita Pinta Pusher

; not sure.

 

[ronott1]

How did everyone get their birds? Its my understanding that for most of us Debi is the pusher of all things Pita. Is there anyone who may have birds that came from the set of eggs that were brought over that are not descendants of Debi's birds.

It would be nice to know where those original bloodlines went or be able to expand on the gene pool a little.

How many generations removed from the original hatching eggs are everyone's birds?

I only have the one pullet and one cockerel now but I really like these guys.

I hatched them from Megan's flock. I hatched her import from Spain so they are the first generation hatched in the USA and Megan gave me a dozen as a thank you gift.

My birds are from Ron, but he might have gotten them from Debi, our favorite Pita Pinta Pusher

; not sure.

Yours are Third Generation from Spain. Debi and I hatched chicks about the same time from Megan's flock.

 

[caychris]

I hatched them from Megan's flock. I hatched her import from Spain so they are the first generation hatched in the USA and Megan gave me a dozen as a thank you gift.


Yours are Third Generation from Spain. Debi and I hatched chicks about the same time from Megan's flock.

So getting eggs/chicks from you Ron would increase the genetics slightly right? I'm not sure how diverse Megan's eggs were.

 

[caychris]

I hatched them from Megan's flock. I hatched her import from Spain so they are the first generation hatched in the USA and Megan gave me a dozen as a thank you gift.


Yours are Third Generation from Spain. Debi and I hatched chicks about the same time from Megan's flock.

It would be nice to see how big and/or diverse her original hatch was?

 

[ronott1]

So getting eggs/chicks from you Ron would increase the genetics slightly right? I'm not sure how diverse Megan's eggs were.

Yes, we need to switch every two or three years. I plan on trading with Debi this year. We are working towards the same goals so we should be able to get more with white mottling and yellow legs by sharing eggs that way.

I plan on getting my next years rooster that way and breed him to my best hens. We can partner that way and work towards the standard.

So far we have not seen any of the problems associated with breeding too many family members. They have hatch vigor and no deformities so all is good so far.

Megan had 5 or so hens and a Rooster. She did have more roosters but a fox or coyote got them while they were free ranging.

 

[caychris]

There are some things I like on my cockerel but he does have one toe issue which I think was simply a broken tow I didn't notice in time to fix. He does trend to more white and yellow legs at least. So if i keep him to breed at least that will be a little more genetic material floating around. He was fairly young compared to Debi's birds he is with so Ill have to get out to look at him again to judge his size and shape. The think the consensus with Debi is he would be ok to start with and see how his offspring turn out. Most of the purpose in breeding him is for back yard layers and the cast off meat birds but preserving some of the genes of this limited gene pool wouldn't hurt and if we can all work together maybe we can get somewhere.

I love the pullet I got from Debi she is so sweet and full of personality now that she is laying she is more sociable with us too. It seems when they go into molt and are not laying they(chickens in general) get a bit flighty/skittish but as they are laying they seem to be more personable.

 

[ronott1]

There are some things I like on my cockerel but he does have one toe issue which I think was simply a broken tow I didn't notice in time to fix. He does trend to more white and yellow legs at least. So if i keep him to breed at least that will be a little more genetic material floating around. He was fairly young compared to Debi's birds he is with so Ill have to get out to look at him again to judge his size and shape. The think the consensus with Debi is he would be ok to start with and see how his offspring turn out. Most of the purpose in breeding him is for back yard layers and the cast off meat birds but preserving some of the genes of this limited gene pool wouldn't hurt and if we can all work together maybe we can get somewhere.

I love the pullet I got from Debi she is so sweet and full of personality now that she is laying she is more sociable with us too. It seems when they go into molt and are not laying they(chickens in general) get a bit flighty/skittish but as they are laying they seem to be more personable.

Perfect plan on breeding. I will work on getting you some pullets this year to breed to either your current boy or one that you hatch.