Autumn sort out

We spent the weekend sorting out the poultry.

The cockerels from this years hatch are beginning to mature so we have started to reduce the numbers. On Friday we dispatched four of the oldest - 3 Welsummer and 1 Indian Game Ixworth cross. We weren't expecting much from the Welsummer birds but we were disappointed with the final dressed weight of the IG/IX.
With hindsight they were given far too much space to roam and also ran with the young POL birds. I am reluctant however to house them as it is moving away from my idea of raising birds with as much freedom as possible.
The remaining younger cockerels are now running separately from the pullets and have the run of only one pen, possibly still larger than recommended but a compromise.
Although not as large as we had hoped, the conformation of the IG/IX was good with more breast meat and larger thighs then the Welsummer, who are in reality a laying strain.
Amongst the next batch of cockerels are 2 Indian Game cross Australorp birds who already are much larger and heavier than the other breeds. Definitely the way to go.

Most of this years pullets are now running together in a fresh pen. They have settled in well and look close to lay. I am keeping 6 of the Welsummers to breed from, the rest of the birds will join the laying flock for the time being.

The Exchequer Leghorns have also been moved to a new pen and other than making a decision on which of the cockerels to keep will now remain together as a breeding group. Yesterday, at 22 weeks old one of the pullets laid her first egg. A good size for a first egg from a small bird. They are showing promise.

The older hens are still at various stages of moult. The few that have completed their moult are looking very smart and their fine appearance exaggerates the sorry state of the rest. One poor Light Sussex lost most of her feathers in one go and now they have started to grow back resembles a young prickly hedgehog.

With just the layers and the Indian Game left to sort and move we are now almost organised for the coming months.

Hens on holiday

Yesterday Margo & Co arrived for their months holiday. They are staying with us whilst their owners are enjoying a holiday of their own.

It is the first time I have taken in poultry on a temporary basis.

For both their own well being and that of my flock they are being kept separate.

Their night time and wet weather accommodation is the poultry shed, which has been thoroughly scrubbed and disinfected. An enclosed area at the back of the shed is for roosting and laying, a larger area to the front of the shed is for them to scratch around in, to feed and drink and to watch the world go by through the wire door.

Most days they will be outside in a large grass run, only returning to the shed to roost.
On the days they are confined they will have greens hung up to peck at and a dust bath to bathe in.

They already seem quite settled and like so many 'spent' hens ( these came from a large free range unit) are very calm and tame. Today I collected 2 eggs from the 3 hens so they appear to be laying well.

I just hope they 'enjoy' their stay and that their owners return to three healthy happy hens.

Photo: Nov. 3rd 1st day on the grass

Integrating new birds

The two maran pullets have been with us for almost 2 weeks. At first they were isolated in a house and run in the garden, away from the rest of the flock. This gave me and them the opportunity to become familiar with one another and to establish a routine. Mostly though it allowed time for any symptoms of illness to show.

Yesterday evening, after they had gone to roost, I moved them into a larger house and run within the general pen. This will help the birds to become use to one another before they are integrated fully.

On waking the established flock were non too pleased to discover 2 strangers in their midst and have been complaining loudly all day, running to the gate each time I go in to express their displeasure.

After a few more days I will open the run door and the birds can mix at will. From past experience I have noticed any newcomers, although happy to mix during the day prefer to roost in their old house before building up enough confidence to join the main flock at night. This is fine by me, they can have as much time as they feel they need.

The 'welcoming' committee.

Gold Duckwing Welsummer - photos

Dave .. a few photos of this years cockerel.

Dave said...

Your one of the very few people in the UK with Gold duckwing Welsommers. I lost my cockerel and sold on the hens..Gold Duckwing on Partridge will produce GD and Partridge split for GD.

20 October 2010 17:24

Poultry update

The young chicks are now happily living at Greenmeadow Poultry. The mother hen has joined her fellow flock mates at the yard. For now she is keeping her head down, preferring to lurk around the feed store and roosting on the straw bales. She is in full moult and has yet to reassert her position within the flock. There is no rush she will when she is ready.

Many of the birds are in various stages of moult just now, yet egg production remains fairly high. Another Indian Game hen has gone broody, hopefully she will change her mind in the next few days. It really is too late in the year to raise a young brood.

The growers have suddenly taken on a growth spurt, with several of the young cockerels finding their voice.

The finest of the breeds are beginning to show themselves. I have a couple of nice looking Indian Game pullets I aim to keep as followers. The young cockerel I will try to sell as he looks too good for the pot.
Of the Exchequer Leghorns I think I have chosen a cockerel and three nice looking pullets to make up a breeding flock.
I will keep six Welsummer pullets, 3 Partridge and 3 Gold Duckwing. I am tempted to keep the best of the Gold Duckwing cockerels.
I have 4 cross bred POL who were meant for the table but they are so pretty and so friendly their future is as yet undecided.
The young cockerels from an Indian Game cockerel over an Australorp hen are looking very promising and are growing at a faster rate than the Ixworth crosses, who were fast to begin with but who have now slowed down.

Looking around this year's breeding season appears to have been quite successful. Fertility and hatch rate was very high and many good birds produced. I am now looking forward and planning for next year.

New flock members

As of today my flock number has increased by two. The laying flock now boasts the addition of two beautiful Cuckoo Maran pullets, layers of lovely dark brown eggs.
I have been thinking of getting a couple of marans for a while now. The eggs will be a valued addition to sales and I am interested to see how any off spring from crossing with the Indian Game cockerel compare to other crosses as table birds

For now the birds are in quarantine, in a movable ark on the lawn. After a week or so I will place them in a separate run within the layers pen before letting them run free with the rest of the flock.
They are smashing looking birds, confident, healthy and alert, settling in well to their new surroundings.

4 weeks old

The chicks are just over 4 weeks old and at the weekend are off to their rightful home. I will miss them, they have been a pleasure to raise. I will however be returning with two 10/12 week old cuckoo maran pullets, layers of lovely dark brown eggs, so not so bad. I will also get to meet two 'virtual' chicken mad friends.

Photo: Chicks just over 4 weeks old. Tucking into Mum's feed