tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46357532752896297372024-03-10T02:46:16.176+00:00Bellecross HensSandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.comBlogger193125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-84937729313608889152013-09-12T08:34:00.002+01:002013-09-12T08:39:09.361+01:00We've moved<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Yesterday I launched my new website <a href="http://www.bellecrosshens.co.uk/" target="_blank">Bellecross Hens</a><a href="http://www.bellecrosshens.co.uk/" target="_blank"> </a> where you will now find my blog. I hope you will follow me 'over to the other page'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />It may take me a little while to get used to it but you never know I may even post more regularly!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />Many thanks Sandra</span>Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-37315851710080516882013-08-18T19:18:00.001+01:002013-08-18T19:18:43.717+01:00FOR SALE: Gold Duckwing Welsummer Cockerels and Others<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /> As I have mentioned before, this season many of the hatches have been cockerel heavy</span>. <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We have culled many but it is such a shame to see strong, healthy birds go to waste.<br /><br />All have been bred from my own breeding stock and meet breed standards and are good birds fit for purpose i.e egg laying or table whichever the breed dictates.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So I have decided to advertise them for sale with all proceeds going to <a href="http://www.dsrtashburton.org.uk/" target="_blank">The Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team ( Ashburton)</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I would be happy to use any of the cockerels advertised for sale in my breeding programme.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Please take a look at the album of photos in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.619345218099967.1073741842.191571284210698&type=1" target="_blank">link </a>and contact me if you are interested in any. More will be added at a later date.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thank you.</span><br />
<br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.619345218099967.1073741842.191571284210698&type=1" target="_blank">Photos of Cockerels for Sale</a><br /><br /><br /><br />Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-8897889220119690252013-08-17T15:40:00.000+01:002013-08-17T15:40:46.649+01:00In a blink of an eye...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZE8fl4FxDcx0WyfwV8fSvRe-D_2DWPK0dhcfM1fT2pE91IhOt8LXVcOoV2hSt_QC503SF6lxEA1oI_5CjKPxo_dOgytAlnsYkCyWgla4SPg3Q4zJFxPtKB93lPz5QMGNf07IOo_lsqp_/s1600/Aug+hatch.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>.<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">.......yet another month has past by.<br /><br />Autumn is fast approaching. There is a definite nip in the morning air and the evenings are drawing in. Everything is beginning to wind down. The hens are beginning to go into their annual moult and are laying fewer eggs. They are going to roost earlier each night and waking later each morning.<br /><br />A few birds however are hanging onto the hope of an Indian summer and are broody. Despite my intention of ending this years breeding season with the hatch due in a couple of days I have decided to take advantage of one of the broody hens and do 'just one more hatch'. - Welsummers.<br /><br />The chicks hatched from the incubator a week ago are strong, healthy and full of life. Four have already gone to a new home to be cared for by a broody hen.</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Photo: Latest arrivals one day old</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZE8fl4FxDcx0WyfwV8fSvRe-D_2DWPK0dhcfM1fT2pE91IhOt8LXVcOoV2hSt_QC503SF6lxEA1oI_5CjKPxo_dOgytAlnsYkCyWgla4SPg3Q4zJFxPtKB93lPz5QMGNf07IOo_lsqp_/s1600/Aug+hatch.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><br /> The 'Twenty Good Layers' have also been delivered to their new owner. They were the largest single 'hatch to order' of hens I have done this year. It proved to be quite a challenge as many of the early hatches were cockerel heavy but I was pleased with the finished flock and more importantly so was the customer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thoughts now are turning to plans for next year. As this years cockerels mature those showing promise are being selected as possible stock birds. Decisions are being made for new housing and new pens.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />My biggest decision of all is whether to buy in a flock of utility laying hens to help meet the demand for fresh eggs. At present I keep a closed flock and have only traditional pure breed hens.<br />The hybrid flock would be kept separate from all the other groups and kept for laying purposes only.<br /><br />A decision I have come to, somewhat reluctantly, is to sell my Gold Duckwing Welsumm</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">er
stock cock. He is a smashing bird and has proved his worth over the
last two breeding seasons producing many strong, healthy chicks with
good markings and dark egg laying pullets. However next year I intend to
use one of his sons and just don't have the room to keep too many
cockerels.<br /><br /><i>Photo: Gold Duckwing Welsummer cock. 2011 hatch.</i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>1st photo: Late 2011<br />2nd photo: August 2013</i><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzSGzXJghSmOyCz_o5fEp1m9lbd5Yww0FyBhvLLasJczGj4VGf7Bh-0njdq3cQkexL8K2ZSbjBtpEM-lh0oz7NMZAzjKoAq4y7nC3RZo5rIRXNbgG7GdS6Uy7-WIC_xN6mywQZZ8d-OJz/s1600/Young+Welsummer+Jul+2011+(14).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzSGzXJghSmOyCz_o5fEp1m9lbd5Yww0FyBhvLLasJczGj4VGf7Bh-0njdq3cQkexL8K2ZSbjBtpEM-lh0oz7NMZAzjKoAq4y7nC3RZo5rIRXNbgG7GdS6Uy7-WIC_xN6mywQZZ8d-OJz/s320/Young+Welsummer+Jul+2011+(14).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPQUqPmmM_XhCLDeJfYzbZDgqkhyphenhyphen_mqeEZ1426r9kIM0PBfbme1Ri1fO7rBfEMtTBC0zN23n4Np3RxuHqWbuRguynnJqhyphenhyphenlhceVAJJ4OkmsCs86BP7zclUa6_OXvohYQp0VjMaufGM8Ts/s1600/Welsummer+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPQUqPmmM_XhCLDeJfYzbZDgqkhyphenhyphen_mqeEZ1426r9kIM0PBfbme1Ri1fO7rBfEMtTBC0zN23n4Np3RxuHqWbuRguynnJqhyphenhyphenlhceVAJJ4OkmsCs86BP7zclUa6_OXvohYQp0VjMaufGM8Ts/s320/Welsummer+(5).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><br /><br />Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-20508552847764541052013-07-18T10:04:00.000+01:002013-07-18T10:13:24.005+01:00Has it really been that long ? !<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I can't believe it is so long since I last posted. Even my quick up to date news is out of date !</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />Time has past in a haze of grass cutting, house cleaning, egg collecting and of course chicks hatching.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It has been a good season, with many strong , healthy chicks making an appearance, albeit a high proportion being male. Fertility and hatch rate has been excellent.<br /><br />Many birds have gone to new homes. I have 20 to go in the next couple of
weeks when they reach POL - a misleading term I feel as generally POL
is considered to be 18 weeks of age but I find many of the more
traditional breeds don't actually come into lay until 21 + weeks.<br /><br />Tomorrow
I am going to set the incubator, possibly for the last time this year. I
will then break up the breeding pens and re organise the birds into
different groups.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><i>Photos: Exchequer Leghorn pullets now in a home in Cornwall</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /> <i>Photo: A few of the 20 pullets off to a new home in a couple of weeks</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /> <i>Photo: 8 week old chicks (showing mostly the cockerels) ready for sale.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">To keep up to date take look here. I tend to post more regularly on this page as it is so much easier.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bellecross-Hens/191571284210698">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bellecross-Hens/191571284210698</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-7055878903208471842013-06-01T16:25:00.000+01:002013-06-01T16:27:22.720+01:00Busy times<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I can't believe it has been so long since I last posted on here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This time of year is always busy with broody hens and chicks in every corner, the grass to cut and pens and houses to maintain It is also one of the most rewarding times</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />A few photos of broody hens and the young stock enjoying the fine weather....... at last.<br /><br /><i>Photos: The latest three broodies.They were only given their eggs last night, so still have three long weeks of sitting to go.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><i>Photos: Taking a well deserved break and enjoying a dust bath. Just 10 days left to go, the young Indian Game X pullet has been excellent.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><i><br />Photo: Taking time out in the shade. The last few pullets from the first hatch of the year.</i><i><br /> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>( the following two broods to hatch are at the yard ) </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Photo: The 5 week old chicks, almost old enough to join the others at the yard</i><i> </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Photo: A very protective hen, taking her week old chicks into the coop out of ' harms' way</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><i>Photo: Latest hatch, 3 days old.</i></span><br />
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<span id="goog_1319437796"></span><span id="goog_1319437797"></span>Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-72653898558031105082013-04-16T11:59:00.000+01:002013-04-16T11:59:14.834+01:00First broody hatch of 2013<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Indian Game hen has hatched 8 of the 9 eggs placed under her 21 days ago.The 9th chick sadly failed to hatch despite having pipped all around the shell.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The hen is one, if not the best of my broody flock. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">At the end of November last year, she hatched and raised 17 chicks from 19 eggs, despite the dreadful winter and she is the first and so far only bird to have gone broody this season.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I have four of her November pullets for sale, but as she is now 'getting on' in years I think I may keep a couple, hoping they will be as good a broody as their mother.<br /><br />However for now a photo of 2013's first chicks to be hatched naturally - for me the best way. There is nothing like a mother hen and her chicks.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Photo: Indian Game hen and 3 of 8 Gold Duckwing Welsummer chicks</span></i><br />
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<br />Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-89962624700584394202013-04-15T16:34:00.000+01:002013-04-15T16:34:46.979+01:002013 update on hatching<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">With the eggs under
the first broody of the season in the process of hatching I thought it
was time to post an update on this year's hatches. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />The
chicks from the 1st hatch of the year are growing at amazing rate and
now are probably more correctly termed growers rather than chicks. They
are 6 weeks old and for the past week have been living in the stable at
the yard without heat, but with a good covering of straw on the floor
and with boxes to bundle into together for warmth. At 8 weeks they will
be old enough to venture outside, as long as the weather is good and the
birds that have been reserved will be able to go to their new homes.<br /><br />The
2nd hatch of the year are now 2 weeks old. They were also hatched in an
incubator, as my hens are very slow to go broody this year. At the
weekend they were moved from the pen with a heat lamp to a pen with a
dull emitter bulb, giving them a more natural day/night cycle rather
than constant light.<br /><br />I have another batch of eggs set in the
incubator, as this year I have received many pre.orders for chicks to
P.O.L. At the weekend I candled all but the Welsummer eggs ( their
shells are too dark to see very much at 7 days) all were fertile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><i>Photo: 1st hatch 5 weeks old just before their move to the stable</i> </span><br />
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<br /><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Photos: 2nd hatch: 3 days old.</span></i> <i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 week old and 12 days old</span></i><br /><br /><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><br />So, so far this year all is going well. Fertility is close to 100%,
hatching rate not too far behind and the chicks to hatch are healthy and
strong. All I ask for now is for a few more hens to go broody and for
the weather to improve.<br /><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-73471142936936058042013-03-13T12:35:00.000+00:002013-03-13T12:45:37.262+00:00First hatch of 2013<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />A week ago the first chicks of 2013 hatched. As no broodies were available I used the incubator. It was a mix setting of eggs mainly to test fertility and hatchability.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Fertility was high with only one of the thirty eggs set proving to be clear when candled at seven days incubation. At seventeen days all the remaining twenty nine eggs had progressed as expected, of the twenty nine, twenty three hatched. I was expecting more. The main reason I believe was down to the atmosphere being too humid. Although I incubate dry, the incubator (for the first time) was located in the utility room.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">All the chicks to hatch,
however are very healthy and strong. At a week old they are jumping
about the pen trying out their wings, they are dust bathing and sparring
with each other, all signs of happy, healthy chicks.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />This week a second setting will go in the incubator as I am still waiting for my, usually reliable, hens to go broody. </span><br /><br /><i>Photos:<br /><br /> Eggs set. Exchequer Leghorn (white) Partridge Welsummer (brown) Welsummer X Light Sussex (tinted/cream)</i></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Newly hatched chicks.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Chicks at one week old. The white chick to the left is a male Welsummer X Light Sussex. The ginger chick on the right is a female of the same breed.The black & white chicks - Exchequer Leghorn.</span></i><br />
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<br />Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-91621124836374439782013-02-03T12:46:00.000+00:002013-02-03T12:46:44.305+00:00Welsummer X Indian Game <br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">At 11+ weeks old the cockerels from the Gold Duckwing Welsummer X Light Laced Indian Game hatch are beginning to grow away from the pullets of the same hatch. They are showing promise for good table birds, with strong legs and broad breast.<br /><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />In a couple of weeks time I'll separate the cockerels from the pullets giving both sexes a chance to reach their full potential.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />Of the 17 birds to hatch there are 9 pullets and 8 cockerels. The variety of colour still amazes me and there are some very pretty pullets amongst them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>( Photo:The 3 birds in the foreground / centre of the photo show the variety in colouring of the pullets)</i><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Although birds are often sold as POL at 18 weeks old I think 23+ weeks is probably more realistic for the more traditional breeds of which these are. If so the young pullets should come into lay around Easter time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-43850778250957280652013-01-06T17:19:00.000+00:002013-01-06T17:19:05.073+00:00How quick they grow<br /> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Today we moved the 'surprise hatch' chicks to the stable.They are now 7 weeks old and fully feathered.They have out grown the poultry shed at home and with the weather being so mild no longer require heat so other than moving them onto grass the stable seemed the best option. For now it is just too wet for them to venture outside but hopefully they will be able to soon.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">They have grown well, are very calm and I think a greater number of them are pullets.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Photo 1: Heads up - alert as the neighbouring hens call after laying.</i></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Photo 2 & 3: Becoming braver and finding their food</span></i><br /><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Photo 4: Exploring their new home</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span><br />Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-87779844212697055832012-12-02T13:17:00.000+00:002012-12-02T13:17:14.891+00:00 Update - A few photos<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Two weeks on and the young chicks are thriving. They are growing well and their feathers are coming through giving a hint of their colour and markings.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />It isn't the most economic time of year to be raising young birds as I
have been providing them with a little extra heat and light and they are
still indoors rather than on grass and probably will be for several
weeks to come.<br /> Once the turkeys have gone at Christmas they can be moved
to the stable where they will have more room to scratch and climb
about.They are a pleasure to watch though and any pullets should be POL
around Easter time.<br /><br /> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />The turkeys have grown well and as always have been nothing but a joy to raise - so entertaining and full of character.<br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> All of the birds I have kept back from this years breeding season are
now reaching maturity. They are looking well and many of the pullets
have started to lay.<br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-75983953353855229302012-11-20T11:51:00.000+00:002012-11-20T11:51:27.400+00:00Surprise late hatch in photos - for Dad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Latest chicks - from an Indian Game hen X Gold Duckwing Welsummer cock. 17/19 hatched</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Day 1:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /> Day 2-3 :</span><br /><br /><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><br />Day 4 :</span><br /><br />
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<br />Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-14835690283341055282012-11-08T12:49:00.000+00:002012-11-08T12:49:35.656+00:00Hens can't multi task<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As well as selling eggs at the gate I have over time built up a number of regular customers who place a weekly order.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Previous to buying from me, they bought from the supermarket, where no matter the time of year as many eggs as they required were available and many are unfamiliar with the natural way of poultry.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">With the coming of winter and the shorter daylight hours most birds will go into moult and egg numbers tend to drop along with the feathers.The birds are putting all their energy into new growth and also resting their bodies ready for the next breeding season.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">With fewer eggs to sell I have been unable to meet all my orders - (this years pullets having come into lay help a little) - so I asked my daughter to explain to her work colleagues that the hens are unable to lay <i>and </i>grow new feathers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />When I asked in the evening did they mind the lack of eggs and did she say why...she replied<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">" no they didn't mind, I told them 'Mum said hens can't multi task' "</span>Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-22641925422046422802012-10-11T10:50:00.000+01:002012-10-11T10:50:11.869+01:00Dark Mornings<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The mornings seem to have suddenly become dark, with them comes a change in my early morning poultry routine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As most regular readers will know my poultry are split between two areas, the younger birds I keep at home, the breeding flocks and layers on land in a neighbouring village approximately two miles away.<br /><br />During the summer months when I am busy with broodies and young chicks my morning work starts around 5.30 am. giving me an hour or so before having to leave for the yard to tend the older birds before work at 8am.<br /><br />In the past week it has been nearly 7.00 am before it is light enough to let the birds out at home, by next week I will have to leave them until after I have tended to the yard birds. Fortunately, at present I only have one large pen of the younger growers at home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />In a couple of months time these birds will be old enough to move to the yard and I will be able to 'make good' and rest the growers pen ready for next year.<br /><br />With the dreadful weather we have experienced over the summer and now into the autumn I am behind with treating the houses. Each summer I like to wood stain and rest the houses in turn but we have had very few consecutive dry days. I was hoping October would bring a spell of crisp, dry weather but it is pouring down as I write and the forecast is for much of the same. I'm sure they will get done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The end of October sees the clocks being put back an hour, although this means fewer daylight hours it enables us to shut the yards birds in for the night before coming home from work, therefore not having to turn out again later in the evening. Something we do look forward to.</span><br />
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<br />Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-23365286786469833182012-09-19T13:18:00.000+01:002012-09-19T16:55:07.985+01:00Exchequer Leghorn<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Next year I will introduce a new cockerel to the breeding flock, it is time for new blood.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The cockerel I have chosen ( I swapped him for my original bird ) is growing well, he is nicely marked, stands and moves well and has a good temperament</span>. <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For the first year he will run with my 3 year old hens and if he proves himself will be used on this years pullets in 2014.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It will be interesting to see if the sex of the chicks hatched from this mating can be identified by their head markings. Although not recognised as a means of sexing young Leghorn chicks, a very high percentage of the ones hatched from the strain I have appear to follow the rule of 'a spot on the head' or at least a break in the colour between the back of the neck and the head</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">indicates female. The darker the markings the more likely the chick is to be male. Maybe it is just this strain or line of birds who have the trait and by introducing a new blood I will loose it, time will tell.<br /><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I will also be keeping a young cockerel from my own birds enabling me to back breed in future years if I wish to do so.</span><br />
<br />Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-42880040373287550472012-09-03T12:06:00.000+01:002012-09-03T12:17:23.215+01:002012's breeding season has come to an end.<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />This week will see the final 'sort out' of the seasons growers and chicks. The last of the mother hens are ready to move back to their flock, their chicks now fully feathered. The male chicks will be culled and the females grouped together in one large pen.<br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> The oldest of the Welsummer growers, being kept as future breeding birds are close to POL and will be moved into large grass pens at the yard. Leaving just the last few, younger Welsummer pullets at home.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /> The Exchequer Leghorns are still waiting for their new house to be put into place and then they too will be moved on. <br /><br />All the broody arks will be scrubbed and the wood treated, ready for next season. The 'nursery' area left empty to rest over winter.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: small;">2012's breeding season has come to an end.</span></span></span><br />
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Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-85816251582543300682012-08-08T19:00:00.000+01:002012-08-08T19:20:25.037+01:00First egg. Last chick<br />
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Today 2012's breeding season came full circle.The first egg was laid by one of this seasons pullets and the last chick of the season hatched.</div>
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Earlier this year - 21 weeks ago - I set the first of the seasons eggs from a mix of breeds running with the Welsummer cockerels, to test their fertility before penning into breeding groups.<br />
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Fertility proved to be high and hatch rates good, even if the majority of the first few hatches were mostly cockerels.<br />
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One of the first chicks, that wasn't male was from a Speckled Sussex hen who was running with the Gold Duckwing Welsummer.
The pullet's colouring and markings are unusual and she is going to be
quite a large bird and probably a great broody.<br />
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Her first egg is
obviously smaller than it will be in a few weeks time and possibly
a little lighter too but I expect her to be good layer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzMP77VQz3A-AK81fLsstvonq90D-yR7II5BwduGaVKg8gqDAJ90h574sUfyd4-3bkpq0Qc02gRV3x08mloJoFPIWBkN8SZ6rMZKeZUThzGMerDc0sb9b5mFmww1igzw5P9sBbBzXs1Lw/s1600/July+2012+%2810%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzMP77VQz3A-AK81fLsstvonq90D-yR7II5BwduGaVKg8gqDAJ90h574sUfyd4-3bkpq0Qc02gRV3x08mloJoFPIWBkN8SZ6rMZKeZUThzGMerDc0sb9b5mFmww1igzw5P9sBbBzXs1Lw/s320/July+2012+%2810%29.JPG" width="308" /></a><i>Photo: Speckled Sussex X Welsummer taken a few weeks before she came into lay</i></div>
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<i>Photo: right 1st pullet egg of 2012 (on the left a Maran egg)</i><br />
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In contrast, today also saw the last chicks of the season hatch. It was a chance hatching and if I was a little tougher probably wouldn't have happened.</div>
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I had set a novice broody on a clutch of a dozen eggs only to come home the next day to find her off the nest and the eggs cold.Rather than ditch them I popped the eggs into the incubator until one of my trusted hens became broody. I placed 8 of the 12 eggs under her. 2 she kicked out the next day, they were in fact clear. A couple of days before hatching she kicked out 2 more clear eggs leaving her with just 4. Two have hatched and she is still sitting tight on the two remaining eggs but I'm not convinced they will hatch.<br />
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Two chicks - more than likely male - to one hen isn't the ideal way to
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<i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Photo: One of two? chicks under mum.</i><br />
<br style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" />Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-31434944779889857072012-07-19T17:30:00.000+01:002012-07-19T17:30:22.704+01:00Cockerels - For Sale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A few photos of the younger cockerels:</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Welsummer X Maran 13 weeks old</span></div>
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<br />Welsummer 13 weeks old<br /><br />
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<br /><br />Exchequer Leghorn 9 weeks old<br />Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-59549700912266583322012-07-19T12:17:00.000+01:002012-07-19T17:02:36.516+01:00Rain and 'to do list'<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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July already and so much to catch up on - not only virtually (as in updating this biog ) but also in the 'real' poultry world.</div>
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Despite the awful cold and very wet summer the season has been successful. The hens are laying, the eggs are hatching, the chicks growing and the young cockerels crowing.</div>
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This weekend, with the promise of dry, sunny weather we plan to have a sort out of the young cockerels.There are some very nice, well marked birds amongst the group. I will select a few as replacements, offer some for sale ( so if you are interested drop me a line ) and the rest we will cull for the freezer.</div>
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I still have a couple of broodies with eggs due to hatch over the next two weeks and a small number in the incubator from a broody who changed her mind. These will probably be my last hatches of the season.</div>
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If the weather remains dry we will hopefully be able to cut the grass pens, paddock and orchard, as well this weekend, as despite all our efforts the grass has grown longer than I prefer to keep it.</div>
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We also have all we need - other than dry days - to fence a couple more pens. So if the weather stays as forecast we will have a busy weekend ahead of us.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The 'to do list' for this summer is endless.</span>Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-8793791644790197252012-06-10T15:52:00.000+01:002012-06-10T18:17:28.127+01:00So far so good<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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We are now into the second week of June and despite the awful, changeable, unpredictable weather the birds are coping well. Egg numbers are high and the chicks and growers are - growing. </div>
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Sales have been amazing with the young birds selling as soon as they are ready and a waiting list for more. I have been hatching all the eggs I can only selling the odd dozen hatching eggs here and there.</div>
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There has been a lull in broodies recently so I have had to resort to using the incubator for the turkey eggs. They are due in a couple of weeks along with a few Exchequer Leghorn eggs. It is the first time I have set a mixed hatch a week apart in the incubator, so I hope all goes well.</div>
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It will be the last hatching of Exchequer Leghorns this season as I have broken up the breeding pen. I have swapped my breeding cock for a younger cockerel.He is a little younger than I was expecting but if he grows well I may do a late test hatch.</div>
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My latest hatch was this weekend - 10 very lively, strong Gold Duckwing Welsummers. They were hatched and will be reared by a Speckled Sussex. From the clutch I hope to keep, possibly 4, of the Silver pullets for myself. I also intend to keep a few of the Exchequer Leghorns that are now 3 weeks old as replacements and a couple of Partridge Welsummer pullets too.</div>
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The Light Sussex I hatched from eggs I bought in are now 9 weeks old.I couldn't be more pleased with them, 6 very nice pullets who will become valued members of my laying flock.</div>
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I have also kept a pen of different breed cockerels. When they have matured a little I will select a few to keep back, the rest to sell or to put in the freezer.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So - so far so good.</span>Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-59889813094094220022012-05-21T17:29:00.002+01:002012-05-21T17:31:50.221+01:00Keeping up to date<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Despite all good intentions my postings are becoming less frequent. If you are interested in keeping up to date just click on the Facebook link (scroll down the page to the link on the right hand side) You don't have to belong to Facebook to see my page. I try to add short snippets and photos as they happen.</span>Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-42738488061656684852012-05-20T18:08:00.000+01:002012-05-20T18:09:58.356+01:00Weekends hatch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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todays hatch 11 out of 11. Hatched under a broody Maran this weekend.</span><br />
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<br />Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-58751768308220592522012-04-25T12:10:00.000+01:002012-04-25T12:20:26.826+01:00Time for a catch up<br />
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My posts are becoming few and far between and at a time when so much is happening, mostly hatching, so time to update the records.</div>
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The Indian Game hatched 6 out of the 7 viable Light Sussex eggs over the Easter weekend. A result I am more than pleased with, considering the problems with the air sacs. The chicks are adorable, true little yellow and white 'Easter chicks'. Now 2 1/2 weeks old they are growing strong and feathering up nicely with the black showing through on the wings and hackle, their black eyes quite striking. As ever the Indian Game hen is proving to be a doting mother.</div>
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Over the weekend the eggs in the incubator hatched.Numbers were much lower than expected as when I candled the eggs at 7 days many of the Gold Duckwing Welsummer eggs were clear. It seems the senior cockerel is feeling his age.He has now been moved to head my 'broody' flock a mix of heavy breed hens who at this time of year are my star birds and a younger cock has replaced him in the breeding pen. From the incubator 12 of the 15 Exchequer Leghorns hatched and there were 7 Welsummer chicks so still a good result and the chicks now in the shed under a lamp are growing at an alarming rate. It never fails to amaze me just how quickly their wing feathers develop and how instinctively they find food and water, scratch, preen and dust bath.Already they are sparring with one another.</div>
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The first hatch of the year are now 10 weeks old and are free ranging the grass pen at home. The young cockerels are finding their voice and one of the Leghorns has taken role as head of the group calling the pullets to him when he finds food.<br />
The cross between the Welsummer cockerel and the Barnevelder hens looks as if it is going to be successful, the pullet is a pretty, friendly hen who hopefully will be a good layer of brown eggs, the cockerels are very strong, solid looking birds and worth growing on for the table.</div>
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The Exchequer Leghorn pullets are nicely marked, a good shape, inquisitive and active.and having bred only from the largest eggs hopefully this trait will be passed onto the pullets. They are proving (rightly so) a very popular breed for poultry keepers this year and I have had many enquiries.</div>
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The second hatch are 6 weeks old and yesterday the mother hen was moved back into the 'broody' flock and the chicks/growers left to fend for themselves. They don't appear to have noticed her absence, although they are squabbling amongst themselves a little more now she isn't there to intervene. Unfortunately most are cockerels, although I do need a replacement cockerel myself this year and have a couple ordered so not so bad and there are a few nice pullets amongst them. In a couple of weeks time they too can free range.</div>
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Finally news on the broody Barnevelder, she has been sitting on 8 eggs; 4 Partridge Welsummer and 4 Maran X Welsummer. They are due to hatch tomorrow and today they have started to pip. At the weekend she will be moved to an ark along with her chicks and the pen in the shed disinfected for the immediate occupation of a Maran and a setting of Exchequer Leghorn eggs.</div>
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<br style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" />Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-67087690574152926792012-04-02T16:00:00.001+01:002012-04-03T16:44:29.222+01:00The incubator is set<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If I was superstitious maybe April 1st wasn't the best day to set the incubator but I did. 37 eggs - 15 Exchequer Leghorn and 22 Gold Duckwing Welsummer due to hatch, all being well on St. George's Day, April 23rd.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The incubator is again in the garage, hopefully this time the temperature will remain stable. I think it is running a little cold but I am reluctant to 'fiddle' with the thermostat. The digital thermometer is showing 37 C, the mercury thermometer just on / below the 100F and the strip thermometer is all over the place (I think it got wet last time). One of the many reasons I prefer using broody hens !</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br />The mother hen is doing a sterling job rearing her 3 week old chicks. A challenge last night when temperatures dipped below freezing, turning the grass crisp and white and the drinking water to ice.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Indian Game broody has only a few more days to go before her eggs are due to hatch but I fear she maybe disappointed. She now only has 7 eggs and I'm still not happy with the air sacs. We will just have to wait and see.</span><br style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Another hen has gone broody, this time an untried young Barnevelder. She seems determined and has remained settled even after her move to the broody pen. I am trying to order a clutch of Silver Laced Wyandotte eggs to hatch for a friend but with the Easter Bank holidays looming and therefore several days without post I will probably set her on a clutch of Welsummer/Maran eggs of my own.</span><br style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It looks as if the Silver Grey Dorking is also considering motherhood. If she does go broody I may sell her either with eggs or with chicks. She is a favourite of mine so maybe not, only space is limited.</span></span>Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635753275289629737.post-88694984522970107092012-03-26T15:55:00.009+01:002012-03-26T16:26:27.398+01:00Fresh Air and Sunshine<span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >At the weekend with the weather improving all the young birds were moved outdoors. They seem to thrive on fresh air and sunshine and despite having plenty of space and ventilation indoors are so much happier with grass beneath their feet and the wind in their feathers.<br /><br />The older chicks reared under a heat lamp are now 6 weeks old, they are very well feathered and have a coop full of sawdust and straw to keep them warm at night.<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><br />Photo: Run for the 6 week old chicks.</span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSCb9n1qINYjasMMOrKeAMxise_YycFv3WTP5VCtoPCAom8b6Fp7iwcWPeT6c3iKgKMm2hXIkAb47jDLk79Vgvn26inyShZQ8swA5hCI8psz0vdSHiImjHGqNQ2ba0zxRKNY0SV_iQRIo/s1600/Broody+coop+%25284%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSCb9n1qINYjasMMOrKeAMxise_YycFv3WTP5VCtoPCAom8b6Fp7iwcWPeT6c3iKgKMm2hXIkAb47jDLk79Vgvn26inyShZQ8swA5hCI8psz0vdSHiImjHGqNQ2ba0zxRKNY0SV_iQRIo/s320/Broody+coop+%25284%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724223388004664002" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />The younger chicks have the mother hen to keep them snug and would have gone out earlier had their ark been ready and the weather drier.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo: New broody/chick ark costing only £2 for new hinges the rest made from off cuts and odds and ends<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4qisVV8OLDzZC3AM6kKzbx1o4lf-K0tqNCALHFrvouxTkQo3MbUhqLfJ6W5MaeTQQLGWVUTgAzpnYtsOe0QjVqi9Vec2mL4RIl2HBN1mBq0twHUQ-yNaX3TMeJ9T20idnGZanlj4dEMO/s1600/Broody+coop+%25281%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4qisVV8OLDzZC3AM6kKzbx1o4lf-K0tqNCALHFrvouxTkQo3MbUhqLfJ6W5MaeTQQLGWVUTgAzpnYtsOe0QjVqi9Vec2mL4RIl2HBN1mBq0twHUQ-yNaX3TMeJ9T20idnGZanlj4dEMO/s320/Broody+coop+%25281%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724225430410887474" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><br />The poultry shed is now disinfected and aired ready for the next batch of chicks. I'm already collecting the eggs.<br /><br />The Indian Game has 2 weeks to go before / if any of her eggs hatch. She will stay with them in the ark and run she is in now (similar to the one above) for the first couple of weeks before being moved into a larger run.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span>Sandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061568247987349580noreply@blogger.com0