Healthy soil and sustainable growing

["Barbara Fischer" <cen12205@centurytel.net>]

Be careful, as closed flocks can lead to inbreeding problems.....in all
animals.

Barbara
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Harvey Ussery" <huboxwood@earthlink.net>
To: <livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Friday, July 21, 2006 8:03 AM
Subject: [Livingontheland] Hatching your own (was Re: A shameless plug)


> > We've always bought hatchery chicks up to now, but I want to start
trying to
> > hatch my own with silkies and cochins. . .  I still don't have my
"broody
> > hen," but she gave me a silkie that is nearly grown, along with
Welsummers,
> > Barred Rocks, one that looks like a Barred Rock but I don't recall it's
> > name, and she hatched some RIR's and White Pekin ducks from eggs I gave
her
> > too. So now I have about 30 chicks of various sorts, NONE from a
hatchery. ~Gwen
>
> With all the NAIS BS and avian influenza hysteria, I've decided to
> become a closed flock ASAP. I'm already there with regard to the
> chickens and guineas--this is the second year I haven't bought in any
> outside stock, have hatched all my own. I hope by next breeding season
> to be equally independent with regard to ducks and geese.
>
> The key for me is broody mamas--I never use artificial incubators.
>
> Gwen, that silkie is a sure-fire broody for you. The cochins should also
> give you a high percentage of hens who retain the instinct.
>
> The other breed that looks like a Barred Rock could be a Dominique (if
> rose combed) or Cuckoo Marans (if single combed). I breed CM's--they're
> a great breed.
>
> ~Harvey
>
> -- 
> Harvey in northern Va
> www.themodernhomestead.us
> _______________________________________________
> Livingontheland mailing list
> Livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org
> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/livingontheland
>