Poultry
Poultry purchasing pointers - Jeremy Hobson explains that it might make sense to buy late autumn stock
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| Large Rhode Island Reds - A utility breed - Photo by Rupert Stephenson |
IN addition to selling surplus birds at shows, poultry clubs often organize sales and auctions. If you see one being held in the early spring, you can be sure that the majority of birds on offer will be around a year old and in peak condition for breeding or just ready for a long life of egg laying.
Sales held in the autumn, however, may offer the choice of either young birds bred in the same year or older birds that, whilst they might be past their prime for showing purposes, are nevertheless, still capable of producing show-quality offspring in the next rearing season. Where possible, it makes sense to buy in the autumn stock that has been hatched in the spring of the same year.
By this time, they can be kept as adults and should lay, if what spasmodically (commercial breeds are an exception) throughout the winter months before really getting into their stride the following spring. Show stock will also be at their peak for breeding and exhibition purposes the following year.
Choosing the right breed
The biggest problem is not always where and when to buy stock, but what breeds to choose and it is an easy matter to fall in love with each and every breed of chicken (yes, even the bizarre looking Transylvanian Naked Neck), but before making a final decision on what type best suits you, it is as well to spend time at some of the shows and exhibitions taking notes and talking to breeders.
Bantams are the obvious choice where space is limited and it is possible to find most of the large breeds of poultry in a bantamized version. Some are what is termed 'true' bantams that is, there are no large fowl counterparts. It is fair to say to say that true bantams are mainly kept for ornamental or exhibition purposes, so do not expect them to supply you with a year round supply of breakfast eggs. Whilst some of the true types such as the Dutch, Rosecomb and Sebright are compact, clean-legged little birds that are easy to keep, others like the Barbu d'Anvers, Dutch Booted or Japanese may need special care due to their beards, crests, long sweeping tails or heavily feathered legs and feet and should only be considered by the more organized and determined enthusiast. Of course, the same problems could arise when choosing some of the bantamized type of large fowl, but there are many more easily manageable breeds to choose from in this category and it should be possible to find one that perfectly suits your individual circumstances.
Pure-breeds and hybrids
There are countless pure breeds of large fowl to choose from and many of the old breeds have excellent meat producing and egg lying qualities, especially when kept in non-intensive management systems. Pure breeds of poultry may cost more initially, but there is the added pleasure of knowing that you are ensuring the future welfare of a recognized rare breed. As the chicken-keeping bug takes over your life, as surely it will, you could also consider showing your stock, an option that would not be possible if you decide to choose hybrids.
A hybrid is the result of crossing two or more breeds, but it will not bred true and reproduce chicks in its own likeness: you will have to go back to the original parent stock and breed them again for more of the same. You could, of course, keep an ever-changing flock of hybrid birds by periodically including totally unrelated cock birds and breeding them with your nucleus of hens, but the desirable points so obvious in the original stock may well be diluted in the subsequent generations. On the plus side: a hybrid tends to be noticeably more vigorous and productive, which is the very reason that the vast majority of commercial birds originate from hybrid stock.
Pure layer breeds are often classified as 'light' and as such, will tend towards being a little flighty and generally never become quite as tame as other breeds - a point to consider when there are children around and a 'pet' bird is desired. Because of their 'flightiness', it may be necessary to build a taller run or to top it with nylon netting. Another alternative would be to clip one wing, but by doing so, you would not be able to exhibit the bird after its next moult.
Dual-purpose and table birds
Many of the heavy breeds of poultry originated as dual-purpose: most are a good choice for the beginner and become quite tame with careful daily handling; they are usually good-looking and are also less flighty than many of the egg laying breeds so require less in the way of Colditz-type fencing.
Being obviously large and heavy in stature, any of the traditional table breeds can be kept with the minimum amount of fencing and their calm placid nature makes them ideal pets and companions, as well as being gentle towards each other. Despite being developed for meat, some breeds lay surprisingly well and have a natural tendency towards going broody, which is a good thing should you be considering breeding from your own stock. One point to be aware of, however, is the fact that they are prone to becoming overweight if not allowed free range and/or fed a diet too high in calories.
Making the purchase
Once you have decided on the breed and type, it is time to visit that Autumn Sale mentioned at the outset. Remember, however, that although when run by a reputable organization or club, you will find plenty of good quality birds, it must be realized that a breeder is unlikely to sell off his very best stock, as he will need these to maintain his own strain.
Purchasing adult birds at this time of year obviously has its advantages as they can be immediately placed in the chicken shed and run, rather than requiring any intermediate housing or extra care and attention. Pullets have to be the better option over older hens (a 'pullet' is a bird in its first year that has not yet commenced laying while a 'hen' is generally accepted as being a female bird after she has completed her first season of laying), as you will obviously gain more eggs throughout their lifetime.
By purchasing birds from breeders or reputable poultry sales and auctions organized by a club or society, you can be reasonably confident that only well-kept and healthy birds are on offer. It is, however, very useful to be able to recognize typical signs of a healthy bird through its overall appearance.
Signs of a healthy bird
The comb and wattles must be bright and waxy in appearance; there are a few exceptions to this rule, such as when the breed is of an unusual comb type or when a hen has been brooding chicks or is in the moult and not laying. The eyes should be clear, bright and well pigmented and the plumage shiny and full. If the birds have not yet moulted, you may notice broken feathers on the back and neck of females in a breeding pen, but this is probably caused by the mating cock bird rather than denoting ill health.
If it is at all possible, handle any bird that you might be considering buying: even the breeds classified as light' must feel fleshy and well muscled. Check the breastbone - it should be reasonably well covered and certainly not sharp like a knife blade. Inspect the vent (anal area) for signs of diarrhoea and for lice and mites. The under part of the wings nearest the body is another area favoured by lice and mites, so lift up the wings, gently brush back the fine feathers in the opposite way to their growth and look carefully for movement - although tiny, such parasites are visible to the naked eye.
Even in the close confines of the sales pen, birds should be seen periodically scratching in the shavings, feeding, preening or simply 'chattering' away to each other. Avoid buying birds from a pen where an occupant is moping around - it is perhaps a sign that all is not well. You might feel self-conscious doing so, but you should also look out for firm, well-formed faeces, which should be, in part, white in colour. Slimy, watery green or yellowish, diarrhoea-like droppings are not generally good news although they could, in this instance, be a result of the stress of the sale.
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