What is your opinion on barnevelders?

[cluckingcoops]

We have two Barnevelders, our first time we have owned the breed. \They are still young (not even a year old). One male and one female. We also have three other chickens all hens and are getting on a bit now and have stopped laying. We are hoping for some eggs soon from Yolky (Our female barnevelder) and I'm personally looking forward to Coops (our male barnevelder) to start crowing . The older hens are at the top of the pecking order and Coops just runs away from them when they want the food so do you think Coops will get that instinct as he get older to "rule the roost" or do you think he'll just let them carry on like that?

Please have your say below about what your opinion is on barnevelders?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I haven't had them though they are supposed to be a great breed with some lines laying very dark terra cotta eggs.
I had wanted them because I found a very good line but since settled on breeding Penedesencas.
According to the ALBC, they are active yet docile, fair layers of medium to large eggs (150-200 per year). Slow to medium maturing (20-24 weeks).

As for your question, new cockerels in an established flock of hens will always be dominated by the hens but eventually males always become roosters.
Make sure, in the time being, you have multiple water and food sources so the older birds don't starve out the young ones.
Now that winter solstice is past, your older hens will start laying again.
These breed charts may give you some info.
http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html#b
http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/chickenbreedcomparison.pdf
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGA/Barnev/BRKBarnev.html

 

[cluckingcoops]

They are now 41 weeks old and still not laying or crowing. Thanks for those links I will definitely have a read through. Plus, thank you so much for replying it is my first ever thread and am so pleased to get a reply.

I haven't had them though they are supposed to be a great breed with some lines laying very dark terra cotta eggs.
I had wanted them because I found a very good line but since settled on breeding Penedesencas.
According to the ALBC, they are active yet docile, fair layers of medium to large eggs (150-200 per year). Slow to medium maturing (20-24 weeks).

As for your question, new cockerels in an established flock of hens will always be dominated by the hens but eventually males always become roosters.
Make sure, in the time being, you have multiple water and food sources so the older birds don't starve out the young ones.
Now that winter solstice is past, your older hens will start laying again.
These breed charts may give you some info.

 

[cluckingcoops]

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Well I should have said welcome then.

 

[cluckingcoops]

Well I should have said welcome then.

Thank you but it is fine don't worry