Recent content by Tstraub

  1. Tstraub

    Straub’s search for colored eggs

    The layers are mostly done with their molt and coming back into lay. I collected 11 eggs today from 22 hens. That’s a lot better than the 3-5 eggs a day I’ve been getting for the past month I did catch all the Bresse today and get them weighed. Still growing really well they are really feeling...
  2. Tstraub

    Straub’s search for colored eggs

    Thank you
  3. Tstraub

    Straub’s search for colored eggs

    Thank you
  4. Tstraub

    Straub’s search for colored eggs

    Unfortunately I’m going to have to let my wife and kids take over the chicken chores for a while. My knee injury was worse than I thought and will require surgery. Surgery is scheduled for December 3. The surgeon said to expect to have to use crutches for 6 weeks and likely 3-4 months until...
  5. Tstraub

    Processing non-meat breed cockerels

    That sounds like a solid plan to me. I’m sure the original people that developed the breed followed a similar plan. If you have a hen that lays a lot of eggs an is the size you want hatch her eggs eat the eggs of the ones that don’t preform as well. I’m definitely putting table qualities first...
  6. Tstraub

    Processing non-meat breed cockerels

    Yes early growth will be one of the things I’ll be breeding for. I’ve been doing a lot of reading and listening to podcasts but don’t have much experience selecting. I’m looking forward to the challenge
  7. Tstraub

    Processing non-meat breed cockerels

    I tried hand both plucking and skining then my wife found a deal on a barely used yardbird plucker. It was more money than I wanted to spend but less than half price of new. After using it a couple of times I have to admit it was money well spent.
  8. Tstraub

    Processing non-meat breed cockerels

    I only have 5 Bresse so far but they look and feel a lot meatier than the Marans mixes. I have been trying to track their live weight and they are growing faster than the mixed breeds I have had in the past. They also have thinner legs so I assume that means a better meat to bone ratio. I plan...
  9. Tstraub

    Processing non-meat breed cockerels

    Great write up I enjoyed hearing your experience. I’ll add some of my experience for anyone interested. I proceeded 11 cockerels all mixed breed the sire is a BMC, dams included EE, OE, Wyandotte, Barred Rock, ect. They were just over 14 weeks old they dressed out between 2.8-3.3 pounds most...
  10. Tstraub

    Straub’s search for colored eggs

    Thanks
  11. Tstraub

    Straub’s search for colored eggs

    The Bresse are now 15 weeks old and the pullets are beginning to grow in their combs and wattles. Bresse are considered to be at point of lay at 16-18 weeks. I think since it’s fall season mine will most likely start later. When I feel there pin bones they still feel close together. I did go...
  12. Tstraub

    BlueTheBrahma’s thread!

    I don’t know if you have any similar services over there but over here in Indiana USA. Perdue University will do a necropsy on up to 6 birds for $66 USD and tell you what killed them. I haven’t needed the service but it comes up in local Facebook groups and people seem to think it’s worth the price
  13. Tstraub

    Wrath's Marans

    Did you set more eggs or just split the ones you already had going across more incubators for sorting purposes?
  14. Tstraub

    Straub’s search for colored eggs

    We sent 11 cockerels to freezer camp this morning. They were a little smaller than I wanted but I’m glad to have them off the feed bill and off the chore list. It only took a little over an hour to get them on ice. I saw a red fox in my back yard this morning. When it saw me it walked across...
  15. Tstraub

    Straub’s search for colored eggs

    The crooked toed cockerel is starting to shape up fairly well. He is still smaller than the other one but he is putting on weight pretty well. He does have the straightest keel of any of the five Bresse. His earlobes are the whitest of any of the five birds. He is going to get a pardon and will...
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