That's definitely good to know. My husband's Silkie cockerel was the spawn of satan himself. He was our first cockerel, and he was a steep and painful learning curve. (No more Silkies for our family)
My son has a very unusual and very carefully monitored friendship with our Buff Orp pullet. She...
I was aware of the need for low roosts, but had not considered the possibility of "perceived competition" or it's effect on fertility. Hmmmm. I'll need to ponder on that. Does this approach in housing increase aggression towards humans in any way (redirected aggression?). I've got a one year old...
I hadn't considered the potential down side to strong egg shells - thank you! I'm trying to get my supplies assembled to begin hatching this next spring (though not with high dollar eggs initially...hopefully my Muscovy flock will supply some fertile eggs for me to work out the particulars of my...
I spent my entire childhood with horses. So I understand that (as an example) all Quarter Horses are not the same. The grade type are like the production/utility/hatchery type of Orpington. The leggy Appendix QH's are like the American type Orp. The big boned, wide Foundation bred QH's are like...
Awesome! Good stuff to know! I think while I'm planning things, I'd like to put some thought and effort into the bachelors' quarters to make sure they have plenty of space to run around and be teenagers, lol. Also to lay out the bird yard like summer camp; girls on one side, boys on the other...
I absolutely love reading all the ideas everyone is sharing here!
I'm curious about whether composting runs are acceptable to state inspectors? Has anyone passed/failed a state NPIP inspection with composting runs?
I'm trying to understand the NPIP biosecurity requirements, and curious...
Adding a link to this thread for info on two apps for record keeping if I ever get an iPhone
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/record-keeping.1292785/#post-21003782
Adding this link for a great thread on hatch numbers, pen sizes, and breeding advice
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/sop-breeders-how-many-to-hatch-yearly-and-pen-sizes.1289406/#post-20907512
I didn't hatch any eggs from the pair, but I had a very...enthusiastic...Muscovy drake who's favorite companion was our rescued female Pekin mix. The same drake started pursuing our chicken pullets, and found a new home without chickens. Muscovy drakes who are "in the mood" will pursue...
Thank you so much!
About the smutty tail, or I've seen it called peppered tail also, while it is a fault in the show pen, is it a trait that actually maintains depth of gold color in breeding (which I've also read)? Does it depend on whether the smudges or pepper are tonally Buff or Black when...
I'm writing this with a cranky Lu, screaming at me from the kitchen, and a little boy whining at me to let his poor girl free. Why, might you ask?
Sigh. Pork skins.
My son found daddy's bag of pork skins...and proceeded to help himself and Lu to almost all of them, before I discovered they...
With Orpingtons being a slower to mature breed, is there an optimal time frame to keep in mind before breeding (hens and roosters both) where they should be done growing? Not sure I'd want to find out my top picks had an overnight growth spurt and have terrible faults in conformation - after...
I watched a video on placing wing bands, and it seems like a great way to track specific individual birds.
My plan is to keep my numbers very small, but working with a solid single color, I don't want any possible confusion when the day comes to keep a chick, or find a new home.
Do you keep a...
I will definitely leave breeding Laced birds to the experts! I think I'd have a tough time sorting through all the different criteria...it seems like the genetic equivalent of herding cats, lol.
Ahhhhhh, I see with the toe punching. The diagram in the video showed 16 toe punch variations, and...
Thank you for this information! I definitely want to steer clear of the hatchery type. I feel like its healthier for the birds to mature more slowly. I can be patient if it means healthier birds!
I need to make a photo folder of examples of faults and DQ's. I think that will help me learn them...
I had no idea! That is incredibly useful. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain the types! Are all three varieties considered "dual purpose"? And would the American type be considered "heritage" since it's closer to original type? I don't mean to ask so many dumb questions. I'm...
Thank you so, so much!
I will look into toe punching - I'm not familiar with that method. Could I please trouble you for an example of how you utilize toe punching to differentiate different pens/broods?
I spent my entire childhood working in horse barns - I can pick out balanced equine...
Thank you for that information!
I'm nowhere near ready to set up a breeding program yet. I'd just like to very slowly acquire a solid foundation of a few birds. (My current girls are lawn and heart candy, bless them)
I know feathering (color and texture) is very, very much a wait and see...