“If you like chickens….”

“If you like chickens, are interested in chickens, have chickens, want chickens,
live near chickens, or are a chicken – you should get this book.”

….and so the review concluded on Amazon. I felt rather proud to have been involved in the writing of that book even if the comment brought a chuckle to my face.

I have a lot of poultry books and obviously as a co-author of the above you’d expect me to say it’s a good book…. but it is! And whilst you might think this is just some PR to boost sales…. it isn’t, I’ve had my pay cheque already. Instead I’ll leave to another poultry keeper to share his review…

“I have a large collection of poultry books from the 1930′s through to the present day and I am always eager to open the cover of a new release to see what else I can learn about chickens which have become part of my working life as well as my passion.
There are so many very basic ‘how to keep chickens’ books out there and once you’ve seen one… it gets a little, well, boring reading another and lets face it there are some good websites out there these days with a lot of this kind of information available.
“The Chicken. A Natural History” is different. It is not a ‘how to’ book but is aimed at pretty much anyone interested in chickens, beginner or not. The first 4 chapters covers what science can tell us about chickens. From evolution and domestication to anatomy, biology, behaviour, intelligence and learning, all fascinating chapters that are well presented with no shortage of amazing photos.
From wattles and combs to hatching, flock formation to chicks imprinting on their mother, it really is all covered in this book!
The fifth and final chapter covers an introduction to the breeds which covers many of the different breeds you will come across. From layers to table birds, Game to ornamental breeds, each with their own photograph and breed profile covering their origins, some history and information about their behaviour and upkeep. This chapter is very well written and could make a small book of its own!
Overall, an excellent book. I think this could well be in my top 3 best books on chickens. If you want to learn about chickens and their breeds, don’t look any further, this is definitely the book for you.”

….and on that note, best I press on with writing the next book….. well maybe later, I feel the urge to go sit in the sunshine in the middle of the field surrounded by Brahma’s and read a book  :-)

The Edible Garden Show 2013

It was my first time at the Edible Garden Show this weekend gone (15^th-17^th March) and I was along there with NFU Countryside Magazine offering Chicken Surgeries, in the ‘Potting Shed’ interviewing Genevieve Taylor about her excellent new book “A Good Egg”, hanging out with Victoria Roberts in the Smallholder marquee and sitting on the “Ask the Expert” desk answering questions on chickens and gardening (although I was probably asked if I knew where the toilets were more often than any other question)

It’s the third year the show has run and the size of the crowds on all three days (despite Friday being Red Nose Day and Saturday being the crunch match in this years Six Nations Rugby) were testament to the huge numbers of people who are electing to grow more of their own food.

For many years I’ve understood and appreciated the value of poultry as part of a productive garden and a self supporting lifestyle, and I’ve long being saying that the large increase in backyard keepers is not some fad but simply the fact it’s a natural step to take when you are a grow your veg sort of person. The amount of floor space & talk time at the show dedicated to poultry was a reflection of that, and the fact the planned surgeries dissolved into a full on, flat out Q&A session seemed to prove the point too. People are hungry for knowledge and are keen to get the best out of their birds and ensure the birds get the best out of their land.

Some of us are even dreaming of more land and more chickens (my apologies to Alys Fowler, it was a momentary lapse in concentration)

 

An Intro to Poultry Genetics (and free books too!)

When it comes to the modern day understanding of poultry genetics there is one person who repeatedly crops up as being ‘the man in the know’ and that chap is Grant Brereton, editor of Fancy Fowl magazine, prolific writer and author and one
of the leading authorities on the genetics of the domestic fowl.

It gives me great pleasure to provide a guest blog spot for Grant as I have immense respect for his understanding, knowledge and experience in the world of poultry breeding and genetics. So over to Grant who has also kindly offered copies of his E-book “Making New Colours 2″ to 5 randomly selected readers who contact him.

Grant’s E-Book full of photos and explanations – a great read for the poultry breeder

And if that’s not enough, ALL people entering will receive a copy of one of his other E-books “The Newcomers Guide to Poultry Breeds.”

Grant’s E-book for the newcomer to Poultry – FREE with every competition entry

All entry details are at the bottom of the blog post and the deadline is midday Friday 15th Feb 2013…. Over to Grant to explain more

————————————————————————————————————-

Poultry Plumage

Most people think of hens as plain-old-brown in terms of colour, and don’t give much thought to anything else aside from their ability to lay eggs.

The ‘show world’ is so far removed from most poultry keepers, that they are unlikely to discover its existence by accident; that is unless they attend agricultural shows and have a chance encounter with the poultry tent.

My own awareness of the wonderful world of poultry plumage was brought about when I received the book ‘Bantams in Colour’ as a child back in 1984. I couldn’t believe how many  different colours and varieties of poultry were available.

I kept the odd pure breed over the years, but it wasn’t until I could drive myself to the Wernlas Collection of Rare Breeds in Shropshire (now closed), that I could truly observe all the different shapes, sizes and colour patterns in poultry; I was dumbfounded by the choice.

They were laid out in attractive breeding houses (with attached runs) consisting of a cockerel and 4 or more pullets. The sight of all these different pure breeds in their separate quarters had a wonderful impact on me; it really sold the idea of perpetuating a single ‘predictable’ type as opposed to breeding hybrids, which I had done most of my life.

Traditional Cockerels

Looking back, there were several things that prompted me to question the genetics behind the wonderful colours and patterns in pure poultry. However, the first real time was when I observed that the ‘traditionally-coloured’ Welsummer cockerel was very similar to the Partridge Wyandotte, but that the females of both varieties were very different…

A pair of Partridge Wyandotte bantams

A flock of Welsummers

I asked the late Geneticist, Dr Clive Carefoot: ‘What would happen if I crossed a male of one variety to a female of the other?’ ‘Some nice clockers (broody hens)’ was his reply, assuming that I wouldn’t understand any explanations.

He later came to respect me, and we would eventually converse on the same level. However, that initial doubt only made me more determined to understand what was at the route of the all the different plumage patterns as well as physical features.

Once I eventually understood how all the patterns were linked, and that crossing two varieties together has to result in ‘something.’ it was a great feeling – as if I’d entered a door to a new world. (The E-books I subsequently wrote, are to help people understand what that ‘something’ may be).

Back to Wernlas…

Only living just over an hour away, I was a regular visitor to the Wernlas Collection from the late 90s onwards, and it wasn’t long before owner, Shaun Hammon made me stand up and take notice.

I observed that he had created his own breeds – one of them being the ‘Cobar.’ I realised quickly that he had taken the barring gene from something else and added it to his Partridge Cochins. ‘Wow’ I thought – how creative! To see a pen of Cobars with a really attractive male and 4 females was a real treat. I knew that I wanted to be part of this wonderful creativity.

In case there was any doubt, it really was all over for me when I saw Dr Carefoot’s Chocolate-Partridge Wyandottes. He had Partridge Wyandottes and Chocolate Orpingtons  (among other breeds), so it wasn’t rocket science to work out how the Chocolate-Partridge Wyandottes were created. I found this idea fascinating and so inspirational – all I could think was: ‘What can I create?’

Grant’s self-created Chocolate-Partridge Wyandottes, the ancestors of which are on the cover of his E-book: Making New Colours 2

To cut a very long story short, I created new colours of Wyandotte (as well as being an advocate for pure breeds), and continued to show both. In 2008, I wrote the paperback ‘21st Century Poultry Breeding.’

In 2011, I wrote the follow up to my original E-book, this time called ‘Making New Colours 2.’ It has been hugely popular with breeders and fanciers alike.

I am giving away 5 copies of this E-Book, so simply email me at grantbrereton@btinternet.com before midday Friday 15th Feb 2013 and head the email ‘Chickenstreet Comp’

All entrants will get a FREE copy of my E-book on pure breeds: ‘The Newcomers Guide to Poultry Breeds.’

Take care,

Grant Brereton

Poultry Journalist

Fancy Fowl Magazine Editor

Author of Making New Colours 1&2, The Newcomers Guide to Poultry Breeds (E-books)

21st Century Poultry Breeding, Breeding for Success – out May 2013 (Paperbacks)

www.gbpoultry.com

Recognise these characters?

I get sent quite a few bits of poultry paraphernalia from kit, to houses, dietary supplements to books as I’m always more than happy to give things a field trial on my own flocks.

I’ll always give the stuff a good go and let the supplier know my thoughts, no matter how candid. Lets face it, there’s a lot of chickenailia hitting the market, some of it produced by people trying to make a quick buck but by equal measure a fair chunk is produced by people or firms genuinely trying to aid the backyard keeper and only when give some good honest constructive feedback will they be able to improve or enhance the product.

It’s nice though to be simply sent something that needs no testing, doesn’t need dragging through a field or pouring on a pile of red mite and that’s just what I got sent from Sarah McKenzie at Stopham Garden Poultry (@stophampoultry). Sarah is an illustrator who takes on commissions for pet portraits but also produces greetings cards which I have to say I rather like as they do capture the attitude of one or two chickens I know! Here’s a few of her pictures.

2013 – So whats the plan

Quite a few folks have been enquiring as to whats ‘on the menu’ so to speak with this years poultry breeding so heres the main focus.

 

Bantam

German Langshan (Blue) – this are from show winning lines and we hope to continue on the quality and perhaps grab a rosette or two ourselves

Owlbeard (Chamois & Gold Spangled Moorshead) – This have been an ongoing project for a few years now and finally we seem to have got them breeding true to colour and standard (what standard there is here in the UK). An extremely rare breed but feedback from those we passed a few on to last year has been excellent. Settled, calm nature and good layers.

Pekin (Black Frizzle) – We’ve had black frizzle pekins for many years but recently focused on other breeds. This year hopefully sees a strong return for this lovely little breed for us

Large Fowl

Brahma (mainly Gold & Light) – what can I say, Brahmas have always figured highly in our breeding program. They are fair away one of the most docile and pleasant breeds to keep. This year sees a return to working on the golds and a first season with a flock of high quality lights. We may even have ago for some blue partridge if the weather is kinder this year!

Ixworth – After last years devastating fox attack on the core flock its going to be a bit of trial to see if we can recover the blood line from the remaining few birds but we’ll give it a go

Plymouth Rock (Barred) – Impressed with the flock we built up last season we’ll be pressing on with expanding this impressive breed. The males are weighing in excellently and the females are great layers (besides, Adam Henson bought a pair of these from us last year and we need to make sure ours take first place!)

Sussex (Light & Speckled) – The Lights are a continuation of Nick Smiths bloodline and are huge birds. The Speckleds did fantastically well last season and really beefed up too so we’ll be working on making these into true dual purpose bloodlines.

 

Thats possibly all for this year (although anyone who knows me will know I’m forever tinkering around with breeds and crosses so you never can tell) but please do get in touch if you are looking for something else. I occasionally have other breeds available depending on what projects I’m working or I might well know someone who has just what you are looking for.

 

 

Hicks Waterfowl Retirement Sale – the list!

BE AWARE : Due to the volume of attendees & a poor weather forecast this sale will now be taking place at Oswestry Showground

(SY11 4AB will bring you close to but not exactly to the showground so look out for the road signs)

Some of you might have read about the retirement of Graham Hicks, one of the top domestic waterfowl breeders in the UK, and without a doubt the largest gene pool and collection of domestic waterfowl here in the UK and quite possibly Europe. Sad as it is, heres the list of what will be sold,

Breeds available at the Graham Hicks sale

….and for those who may have missed it, heres my article on the subject with a photo that doesn’t do justice to the massive size and quality of that Muscovy drake!

One of the greats to retire from the Fancy

After well over 30 years of breeding waterfowl and 12 years of running one of the largest collections of waterfowl breeds in the UK if not Europe, Graham Hicks of the world renowned Hicks Waterfowl World has decided it’s time to retire.

“It’s been a very difficult decision to reach and I’ve given it some hard thought over the last 12 months but I’ve finally decide it’s time to retire from the Fancy.” said Graham “I’ve enjoyed many years of success on the show circuit and pioneered a number of new colours and varieties of waterfowl but the time has come for me to retire.” he added.

Graham is one of the few fanciers left in waterfowl world who would carry a show team of birds to the major events around the country and his involvement with the fancy and waterfowl breeding world will be sadly missed. He has set standards of waterfowl exhibiting that are recognised throughout the world resulting in him being asked to attend events throughout Europe and recently as far away as Australia. His skill and knowledge have contributed significantly to todays understanding of waterfowl through his creation of a rich vein of high quality livestock, and the significance and size of the waterfowl gene pool he has nurtured over the years is immeasurable.

“I’ll be holding a Retirement Sale in October when all the birds will have passed through the moult. People will be able to come and buy my breeding stock and hopefully continue on the quality bloodlines I’ve built up over the years.” said Graham “It will be a sad day and no doubt there will be a few tears but rest assured I’ll still have a keen interest in following the Fancy and will keep in touch with all the good friends I’ve made over the years.”

Hicks Waterfowl Retirement Sale will take place on Sunday 21^st October at Hicks Waterfowl World, Brookhouse Farm, Selattyn, Oswestry OSWESTRY SHOWGROUND, PARK HALL, OSWESTRYwith the first lot expected around 10am. There will be over 500 lots of livestock on auction plus a limited selection of rearing equipment.

Are things a bit late this year?

Its a question asked quite frequently when it comes to gardening or the flora and fauna of the countryside but for me I can’t say I can always provide evidence to support my answer. Ok I know the date when the swallows return or the first chiff chaff call but thats based on whether I’m paying attention and could, for all I know, be out by a few days or even weeks.

I was out taking some photo’s the other day and that was when some real evidence landed in my lap…. there are precisely 2yrs and 22minutes between these two pictures of the same oak tree… I guess that answers my question for this year at least!

May 12th 2010

 

May 12th 2012

 

March – A month of firsts

I was digging through some old articles I had written and stumbled upon a section I wrote some years back. Each month I would need to produce a short section on what would be going on outdoors for that given month. Now given most monthly magazines can be working 2-3 months ahead of themselves then a piece that would appear in the March magazine would need to be written in December.

This piece was penned back in December 2008 I think and whilst its nothing extraordinary, it struck me today, with its 23 degrees C sunshine out there, just how unpredictable the weather and climate seems to be these days – my references to winter and snow seem rather out of place!

 

“March tends to be the beginning of the “firsts” of the year, the first primrose, the first bumble bee, the first catkin, the first glossy yellow lesser celandines appearing on the road verges. It is also the true beginning of the nesting season for birds with nests being built or repaired in earnest throughout the trees, hedgerows and nest boxes.

The first of our feathered summer visitors such as the Chiffchaff will be reaching the shores and pushing further inland. It’s a small green warbler often overlooked but always given away by its metallic “chiff-chaff” call as it perches on top of the now green tinged thickets and scrub.

Coots will begin to build their tower like nests from reeds and frogs will start to spawn in the pools and ponds where the rushes and irises start to wake up from their winter slumber..

Wild forget-me-not is coming into flower and on sunny days the first ladybirds sit there warming themselves as they come out of hibernation. Cow parsley will be ready to burst into flower after throwing out a profusion of fresh green growth complimenting the delicate white blooms of the blackthorn which sits on the bare stems like a reminder of the snow falls of winter. ” Mar 2008

 

March 27th 2012

Free-range poultry diseases & disorders

Husbandry of poultry is very much ‘by eye’. Only by spending time around your flock will you pick on potential problems as chickens are very good at disguising illness which is quite possibly a survival mechanism to mitigate the risk of predation common in many species of bird.

Sick birds may emerge from the coop in a flurry with the other hens but then spend the day skulking or hiding out of sight, so be sure to do a head count periodically during the daylight and investigate any bird that seems out of sorts.

The nature of many poultry diseases is such that the symptoms can appear more or less the same which can leave you, the keeper, at a loss as to what might be the issue but by carefully observing your flock you can pick up on certain diagnostics that may help isolate the problem.

This BVA Animal Welfare Foundation pdf file was put together in conjunction with the Poultry Club of Great Britain and provides an excellent early diagnostic crib sheet and is well worth downloading and printing off. Stick it on the wall of your chicken shed or feed store and familiarise yourself with the basic symptoms, likely causes and possible treatments.

As mentioned earlier, birds can and do disguise illness, consequently when it becomes obvious that there’s a problem it can often be too late to treat them. Early identification of diseases or disorders therefore can be the difference between life and death.

It goes without saying that the crib sheet provides only a guide but it can be essential in collecting the right information about the problem your bird maybe suffering and this will help immensely should you need to refer to a poultry vet.

If you are a twitter user then its well worth following two such vet establishments on there, namely @avianvets and @chickenvet , or alternatively visit their web sites ( AvianVets and ChickenVet ) as both are frequently available to help and advise the online poultry keeper.

Black Brahma pullet looking fit and well

Build a bird box!

This is a part of an old article I wrote some years back but on the request of a twitter friend Heather Wilde of @KidsNorthWest I’m uploading it here as she’s holding a bird box building party soon so hopefully she’ll find this timely and useful

Birds are an integral part of any garden, be it an urban one or one out in the sticks. More and more people are feeding birds (click for a novel bird feeder idea) and enjoying this doorstep wildlife spectacle, and what better way to further enhance it than to provide some simple accommodation for them to raise young in.

 

I’ve been a keen bird watcher since I was a child when my mother gave me a collection of children’s “Things to Do” cards she had received by collecting Batchelor’s soups labels. Within the pack was a card about bird watching and how to start a field note book, and I thought I would give it a go. We only had a small back garden on an estate in a village near Leeds, but having spent many an hour at the kitchen window I’d recorded in excess of 30 species of birds there in my first year of ‘watching’. I was hooked and still am to this day, be it rarity turning up locally, the first swallow of the year or a house sparrow feeding her brood on the window ledge.

 

Over the years I’ve lived in both urban and rural settings, and for some reason that escapes me I’ve developed a habit of making and putting up a bird box at the beginning of each year. Winter is a good time of year too, it gives the box a chance to weather and settle before the breeding season starts in earnest. It’s an extremely simple and cheap thing to do. It requires minimal woodworking skills and is perfect for getting the kids involved in something that might just have the same impact as the cards my mum gave me all those years back.

On top of that it’s a great idea for new and unestablished gardens that may not have the natural nest sites for birds. Of course you could just buy one ready made however different birds have different housing requirements just like people.

 

This design alone can be modified to attract around 7 different species of bird by simply changing the size of the entrance hole – 25mm for coal, blue and marsh tit, 28mm for great tits and tree sparrows, or 32mm for house sparrow and nuthatches.

 

Many garden bird species are declining in numbers year on year, yet they are an essential element for the success of our garden ecosystem, so why not spend a couple of pounds and a winter hour knocking up some accommodation for them, you’ll be repaid by the bucket load when you see the first young appearing at the entrance hole.

 

And just to prove I’ts not beyond anyone’s reach to build, my youngest son (with some assistance from his older brother) performed almost the entire build himself. I built one myself at the same time and I have to declare, his was better!

 

 

What you will need

Tools:

• Saw
• Hammer
• Measuring tape
• Galvanised nails (3cm)
• Drill
• Hole saw or large drill bit
• Bored teenager or enthusiastic youngster ‘optional’

Materials

• 15cm x 2cm x 142cm tanalised plank
• 15cm x 5cm rubber strip (car inner tube, pond liner etc)
• Small hook and eye fitting

 

 

Step 1

Using the template below, measure out the cuts to be made on the plank. Most hand saws have 90 and 45 degree guides built into the handle these days, or alternative use a set square. Then cut the sections out.

 

 

Step 2

Having decided on the entrance hole size, drill the entrance hole. It needs to be at least 125mm from the base. This means the nest will be low enough within the box to minimise the possibility of predation by cats.

 

Step 3

Attach the side panels to the back piece using the hammer and nails. Be sure to check the sides are positioned directly opposite each other or the rest of the build will be out of line!

 

Step 4

Side the base into position between the two side pieces and nail it to the sides. Drill a few small drain holes in the base. This is precautionary measure as the completed box should remain dry inside.

 

Step 5

Making sure that you have the entrance hole nearest the top, place the front section on and nail it to the sides and base.

 

 

Step 6

Nail the rubber strip to the roof section first,  and then nail the flap to the back section. Hinging the lid in this way means you can easily access the box to clean it out at the end of the season should it be required.

 

 

Step 7

As a further precaution against predation, add the hook and eye to the lid. It will also stop any gusts of wind flipping the lid up.

 

Step 8

Decide on the location for your new nest box choosing a sheltered spot 2 metres or more above the ground. Face it between northeast and southeast so it avoids the worst of the weather and is not exposed to too much sun.