Chickens

Now I have already discussed the questions, or purpose for rearing poultry in 'Keeping Poultry' so I don't plan on repeating myself here. However I will discuss the birds we now keep and birds we have had- their pro's and con's.

Our breeding and rearing of breeds has been varied. And I guess everyone needs to find what birds best suit your home and situation. We have now settled on breeding Indian Games and Light Sussex, as well as our experimental 'table bird' program- which I will come back to.

We do still have our original layers, in our laying flock, as well as a few others. Though we do not intend to maintain or breed from these birds. They are purely for laying eggs and the odd pet.

Prior to breeding our own birds, we had laying hens and we purchased the odd Ross Cob's from a hatchery. This breed is common commercially- and is used by Steggles, amoungst other (and is in their advert). These monsters pile on the weight as they have such an enormous appetite… to the point where they have to go, as their quality of life diminishes. And I have issue with raising birds that lack their natural instincts and character.



Ross Cob- 'monster meat-birds'



We accidently bought a hen from a hatchery (that was supposed to be a Light Sussex), but was in fact Ross cob hen "Fatty". She lived to be around 7 months old, and had began laying. As a breed the life expectancy is a maximum of 8 months, given any other chicken can live up to 4/5 years.

Neither of us right about growing out these birds. Even if their life expectancy was to be short, we felt that their quality of life was diminished. So as we began breeding our own flick, it became apparent that we already had a source of birds destined for the table/pot.

This is not something we take pleasure in, though we do enjoy the result. And know exactly how the bird was raised and what is in our meat. Many can not comprehend doing this. Unfortunately roosters are a ‘bi-product’ of breeding, and you need to consider what you will do with yours, if you do this.

Indian Game (Dark Cornish)- Rooster & 2 dark hens Light Sussex- young rooster & hen     We raise our birds for both meat and keep egg layers. As I mentioned we breed Light Sussex and Indian Game/ Dark Cornish.

The Sussex are considered a good “dual purpose” bird, in that they carry good weight- not all feathers and lay well. Ours have been quite calm, even our rooster. Though I have heard stories of other having issues. We have had our rooster from young, and only been challenged when there have been hatchlings around. In which case an upright posture and purposeful walk serves are a deterrent.

The Indian Games are compact birds, but carry a fair amount of meat for their size. The roosters have an unusual crow- not too loud and distinct, so great bird if you have temperamental neighbours. Despite being quite athletic, though our rooster is slowing and looking more awkward with age, they generally prefer not to move around too much. And are quite quiet, they are however spooked and quite flighty if not handled regularly- though they are very responsive to food. And if they are familiar, will happily follow you like dogs. 

We have a selection of 'colours', whilst traditionally they are 'dark' with the lace through the females and dark greens, blues and purples though the male plumage. There has been a development of 'colour' including jubilee and blues.



Indian Games are also prone to respiratory problems. We were advised to 'flog' ours with a product called "Breathe-ezi", its a form of stabilised chlorine dioxide . We used it over the colder, winter months last year and found it very effective. We also use ot to sterilise our incubator between uses. 

 

Our initial intention was to cross the two, in the hope that we could either achieve a fair layer that carried a good quantity/quality of meat, but maybe larger than the current Indian game size. Something many smallholders have attempted- some with documented success. We had planned to document which worked better, or as the case may be, which was more productive. So far we have not been successful with this, though I am sure we will try again.

Other breeds we have reared are;

Rhode Island Reds (and crosses)- these in our experience are fair egg layers and reasonably docile birds. The rooster however are more feathers than meat and I have heard stories of the roosters being quite savage.

Australorp- these are reasonably sized birds that lay well. Even though they are traditionally black in colour (although there are some beautiful lavender and other colour varieties out there). They are in fact pale skinned- generally favoured for eating.  Again we have not kept an Australorp rooster, and whilst the hens are quiet friends ofour have bred them, and their rooster was quite the family terror.

Welsummer- Beautiful plumage, even the hens (which chickens like many birds the males are more spectacular to look at). They lay well and are quite inquisitive and make great pets.



Old English Game- These are beautiful, stunning and very athletic birds. They are very meat for their small frame, and lay really well; not just for a game bird. But they prefer to free range, and by that I mean their natural instincts are still very strong. In that they will forage for themselves and rooster in trees. They are quite difficult to contain to a back yard flock. Though they will return if they know they are fed etc there, but good luck finding the eggs or catching the roosters.



Commercial 'sex linked' layers



We have also had hens known as commercial layers. These are where hatcheries breed know 'sex linked' breeds. Ours were a Australorp cross. There are a few methods of 'sexing' chickens. None of which we have experimented with.



Some believe you can tell by the wing feathers in the first few days- girls develop faster than boys. Another as mentioned above is by choosing specific breeds that produce different features in males and females- generally colour.

 

Pinted neck feathers of a rooster



Another way (which most hatcheries do, as considered the most accurate), is venting. This involves squeezing the day old chick to view its sex organs (or lack of). If done incorrectly this could permanently injury or prove fatal to the bird. So not something I am willing to try.



We tend to sex ours at a later stage- not such an issue if your planning to raise the roosters for food anyway. Unfortunately most roosters in hatcheries don't make it past day old.



The markers as they grow older tend to be, redder and larger wattle and comb, longer tail feathers, more colourful plumage, pointed neck feathers (hens are more rounded) and eventually the tell tale- crowing.