Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Canadian Wind]

I don't, but sometimes I feel like I should, respond to this with, why are my chickens twice the size they were before it got cold?

Funny you should say this. Here's a picture I took of one of my bantam cochin (Pekin to my UK friends) just two days ago:

On the other hand, my Chanterels, who were bred to survive our winters, weren't puffed up at all.

Now, if they were let loose do I think they would live through the winter without my feeding and sheltering them? No, I don't believe they would.

Same with breeds that have HUGE combs and wattles, they usually loose them to frostbite.

The wild birds here survive through absolutely horrendous conditions. A lot of it has to do with adaptability. I wouldn't bet a dime on a UK bird making it through the same.

 

[Shadrach]

Funny you should say this. Here's a picture I took of one of my bantam cochin (Pekin to my UK friends) just two days ago:

View attachment 4050261

On the other hand, my Chanterels, who were bred to survive our winters, weren't puffed up at all.

Now, if they were let loose do I think they would live through the winter without my feeding and sheltering them? No, I don't believe they would.

Same with breeds that have HUGE combs and wattles, they usually loose them to frostbite.

The wild birds here survive through absolutely horrendous conditions. A lot of it has to do with adaptability. I wouldn't bet a dime on a UK bird making it through the same.

She's almost a complete sphere poor thing.

I wouldn't bet a dime on a UK bird making it through the same.

I wouldn't either. They look pissed off enough at 1C.
They've all endured the Britsh winters without major issue. Absolutley no doubt they're cold though. Mow looks like a pillow at times. The youngsters aren't impressed but they like all young have stacks of energy.

 

[DobieLover]

my Chanterels

Do you mean Chanteclers?
I am looking into starting up a flock of Partridge Chanteclers this summer. I'm sourcing hatching eggs ATM.

 

[fuzzi]

Funny you should say this. Here's a picture I took of one of my bantam cochin (Pekin to my UK friends) just two days ago:

View attachment 4050261

On the other hand, my Chanterels, who were bred to survive our winters, weren't puffed up at all.

Now, if they were let loose do I think they would live through the winter without my feeding and sheltering them? No, I don't believe they would.

Same with breeds that have HUGE combs and wattles, they usually loose them to frostbite.

The wild birds here survive through absolutely horrendous conditions. A lot of it has to do with adaptability. I wouldn't bet a dime on a UK bird making it through the same.

I have read about chickadees surviving frigid nights by huddling in groups in tree cavities.

There's more, read on:
https://www.birdful.org/how-cold-can-chickadees-tolerate/

 

[fuzzi]

Feeding frenzy tax...

 

[Shadrach]

I have read about chickadees surviving frigid nights by huddling in groups in tree cavities.

There's more, read on:
https://www.birdful.org/how-cold-can-chickadees-tolerate/

Interesting that the piece mentions increasing fat reserves rather than carbohydrates which is what corn provides.

 

[Shadrach]

Do you mean Chanteclers?
I am looking into starting up a flock of Partridge Chanteclers this summer. I'm sourcing hatching eggs ATM.
View attachment 4050289View attachment 4050291

Nice looking birds I think. Enough game bird looking left in them.

 

[tranquiliti]

Interesting that the piece mentions increasing fat reserves rather than carbohydrates which is what corn provides.

Glycolysisacetyl coA lipogenesis

 

[SimpleJenn]

@Canadian Wind what a precious little ball of bird that is!

 

[Canadian Wind]

Do you mean Chanteclers?
I am looking into starting up a flock of Partridge Chanteclers this summer. I'm sourcing hatching eggs ATM.
View attachment 4050289View attachment 4050291

My brain is a mushroom!!!

I'm actually getting some partridge ones in April.