Amers d’Anvers

[NagemTX]

I guess those will be the last pictures of my favorite chicken, Queeny, because mom informed me she has died at almost 5 years old. It came as a surprise to me because she was acting healthy and laying eggs last I saw her but we can't really know what happens with these sudden passings.

Sorry for your loss. I've lost a few this way as well.

 

[Amer]

Her egg shells have been fragile this year (same with Praline's eggs) but fertile eggs have been coming from that pen this year and maybe not all were from that pullet in the pen so I'm hoping I hatched a few final scions from Queeny this year. Some more d'Anvers are hatching this week.

 

[Amer]

3 d'Anvers hatched this morning!
My oldest bird is still Praline but the second oldest is now Lovebird the black free range d'Anvers hen. Ever since we got sold Starling, the oldest birds on this farm have been d'Anvers, but this is more because they are seen as pets rather than an indication of their lifespan. That said, many breeders say they have a longer lifespan than most breeds, but so far I haven't had one live longer than four.

 

[Amer]

Actually I don't remember if Starling the EE or Luna the d'Anvers were older.

 

[Amer]

I cut the excess length from this video...

 

[NagemTX]

Love the video!

 

[Amer]

I've just discovered the magic of Facebook marketplace. Once I save some money I'm going to buy pens for my birds. The coops are affordable and more importantly, I don't have to apply my questionable carpentry skills. A lot of people buy prefabs for their full sized hens only to realize they're too small which means I can snatch them up for my d'Anvers and pigeons! Cheap!

 

[Amer]

Tried to get some d'Anvers pics but they weren't really cooperating today

Don't mind that this is majority Welsummer/Buckeye bantams

If you are wondering what the bedding is, that's peat moss. I'm not sure why Mom wants to use it instead of the shavings.

 

[Amer]

Look who's broody! It's Praline!