On the 10th August the last chicks of 2014 hatched.. A mix of Pekins and Silkie bantams. A completely new experience for me, never before have I hatched anything so small or indeed anything with feathered feet or for that matter frizzled feathers
Already my misplaced views have been challenged, apparently bantam eggs take 21 days to hatch ( similar to large fowl ) not the 18 -19 I always believed.. The chicks are strong, healthy, lively and I must admit rather cute.
My plan is to keep a trio of pekins and possibly a gold silkie cockerel to cross with my Light Sussex hens to produce Goldtops , a hen greatly valued as an exceptional broody.
The birds from this years previous hatches are growing well, most of the pullets are accounted for, either as replacement stock for myself or reserved for collection over the next few weeks. We are gradually sorting through the cockerels as they mature, selecting any that show promise as stock birds to grow on
The new hybrids have settled in well and most of them are now in lay, so eggs are once again for sale daily at the gate. They are such lovely birds and more than earn their keep , I'm considering buying in another 20 or so..
With the sudden change in the weather many of my traditional breed birds have gone into early moult, resulting in reduced egg numbers and feathers everywhere.
On a final note my Welsummer birds have made it into the September issue of Smallholder magazine in an article discussing the breed.
Already my misplaced views have been challenged, apparently bantam eggs take 21 days to hatch ( similar to large fowl ) not the 18 -19 I always believed.. The chicks are strong, healthy, lively and I must admit rather cute.
My plan is to keep a trio of pekins and possibly a gold silkie cockerel to cross with my Light Sussex hens to produce Goldtops , a hen greatly valued as an exceptional broody.
The birds from this years previous hatches are growing well, most of the pullets are accounted for, either as replacement stock for myself or reserved for collection over the next few weeks. We are gradually sorting through the cockerels as they mature, selecting any that show promise as stock birds to grow on
The new hybrids have settled in well and most of them are now in lay, so eggs are once again for sale daily at the gate. They are such lovely birds and more than earn their keep , I'm considering buying in another 20 or so..
With the sudden change in the weather many of my traditional breed birds have gone into early moult, resulting in reduced egg numbers and feathers everywhere.
On a final note my Welsummer birds have made it into the September issue of Smallholder magazine in an article discussing the breed.
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