American Bresse

[fuzzi]

I'll wait to see what these turn out to be. Then contact some of the vendors from the swap that are local to see about filling out a small flock

Sounds like a plan. You'll have some different genetics, too.

 

[canesisters]

May 22
Other than keeping them fed, watered & safely confined; I haven't spent much time with them. Momma hen is taking great care & calls them to check out what ever treats I leave for them each morning.
Today I have a surprise day off. It's cool & for the moment, not raining.
My MAIN goal today is to get a chicken wire pen up so that they can finally venture out side of the coop & into the chicken yard.
I also want to see if I can see any differences between them to maybe guess what sex they are.

 

[Mini Horses]

How many chicks are there? All from the bresse eggs you bought?

I have a hen with 4 chicks free ranging. 7 eggs. 2 broke premature & chicks died. 5 hatched nicely but day 2 one tried to swim a water trough these 4 are doing well so far.

Then 26 in incubator -- will candle & hope. 1 dz bought ( marans & RIR)...others fresh laid on farm.
Expected hatch 6/1-2. More work. Broodies are great!!

 

[canesisters]

Wow, 4 out of 7 is pretty good.
Are the other 26 for selling or keeping?

It's just the 3 out of the 12 bought eggs. They're about 2 weeks old & getting big. All are Bresse, I'm assuming. There WERE a couple BYM eggs in there but, my girls have never hatched white chicks.

 

[Mini Horses]

The 26 are for replacement hens...freezer roos. I've still got 4 older hens, 3 others had passed in last 9 months. Added a few youngsters 2 summers ago, cream legbars. Then just bought those young BOs. Only need a few more hens come winter -- these hatchers. If too many are male, they sell well at auction, if I don't want to butcher. I plan to isolate the boys hatched. Have the pens, just need to tweak some spots.

I have a retired roo...12 yr old now! Hatched here. Handsome

 

[fuzzi]

The 26 are for replacement hens...freezer roos. I've still got 4 older hens, 3 others had passed in last 9 months. Added a few youngsters 2 summers ago, cream legbars. Then just bought those young BOs. Only need a few more hens come winter -- these hatchers. If too many are male, they sell well at auction, if I don't want to butcher. I plan to isolate the boys hatched. Have the pens, just need to tweak some spots.

I have a retired roo...12 yr old now! Hatched here. Handsome

Picture of the handsome roo?!

 

[fuzzi]

May 22
Other than keeping them fed, watered & safely confined; I haven't spent much time with them. Momma hen is taking great care & calls them to check out what ever treats I leave for them each morning.
Today I have a surprise day off. It's cool & for the moment, not raining.
My MAIN goal today is to get a chicken wire pen up so that they can finally venture out side of the coop & into the chicken yard.
I also want to see if I can see any differences between them to maybe guess what sex they are.

Here's hoping for 1 boy and 2 girls!

 

[canesisters]

It's very temporary. I just want the chicks to have a few days to see the entrance to the coop before they are free to roam the whole huge chicken yard.
Just a loop of chicken wire with a low spot in the middle. IF it works like I'm hoping, the chickens will be able to come & go this week but the chicks won't figure out how to get over that 18" or so high part.