2 questions about hens

purplebat · « **on:** July 15, 2007, 20:05 »

I got given 2 chickens a few days ago, I was told they were young, but have since found out they're actually two and a half years old! so
question 1 is will they be laying for much longer?
question 2 is does anyone know whether people clip tail feathers? they've definitely got a lot less than my other girls, and I was a bit concerned, if they have been clipped why?

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #1 on:** July 15, 2007, 21:45 »

Quote from: "purplebat"

question 1 is will they be laying for much longer?
question 2 is does anyone know whether people clip tail feathers?

Some hens are burnt out by that age and some will continue laying for years. It all depends on the breed of the hen and the individual bird.

I've certainly never heard of tail feathers being clipped. Do they look clipped (they'd have a cut end) or are they complete and just small :?:

purplebat · « **Reply #2 on:** July 16, 2007, 00:02 »

Quote from: "Aunt Sally"

I've certainly never heard of tail feathers being clipped. Do they look clipped (they'd have a cut end) or are they complete and just small :?:

I'll have a closer look tomorrow Aunt Sally, get back to you on that one, I'll see if I can get a pic

purplebat · « **Reply #3 on:** July 16, 2007, 19:08 »

couldn't get a pic aunt sally; you need to take a camera with you for that :roll: :oops: but I did check them over and I would say their tail feathers have definitely been cut; the ends of the feathers are quite sharp, which says to me they've been cut, but why?

mercury · « **Reply #4 on:** July 16, 2007, 20:46 »

Are they laying now purplebat, the reason i ask is, you may have been conned into having two cocks

purplebat · « **Reply #5 on:** July 16, 2007, 20:58 »

I hadn't thought about that! they haven't laid yet, and worst of all, the others have stopped too :x but I haven't heard them crowing :?: that's a very good point though, if that is the case I shall change my name to gullible!

slowef · « **Reply #6 on:** July 16, 2007, 21:17 »

Wouldnt be light sussex would they mine has short tail feathers like they had been cropped. I got palmed off with three cockerals by some unkind person. This doesn't show his bottom that well but its short and stumpy

purplebat · « **Reply #7 on:** July 16, 2007, 23:14 »

I think they are ISA browns, I acquired 4 ISA browns a month or so ago (a friend bought them for hubbys birthday) and they look similar to them but one is darker than the other

mercury · « **Reply #8 on:** July 17, 2007, 13:14 »

Quote from: "mercury"

Are they laying now purplebat, the reason i ask is, you may have been conned into having two cocks

A favourite trick of some unscrupulous people, is to cut the curls out of, drakes tails, before taking them to the livestock market

purplebat · « **Reply #9 on:** July 17, 2007, 13:20 »

Quote from: "mercury"

Quote from: "mercury"
Are they laying now purplebat, the reason i ask is, you may have been conned into having two cocks

A favourite trick of some unscrupulous people, is to cut the curls out of, drakes tails, before taking them to the livestock market

I find it amazing that people would do that! I know cockerels aren't very popular but that is sooo unfair both to the bird and the new owner, - people!!! :evil:

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2 questions about hens

purplebat

2 questions about hens

Aunt Sally

Re: 2 questions about hens

purplebat

Re: 2 questions about hens

purplebat

2 questions about hens

mercury

2 questions about hens

purplebat

2 questions about hens

slowef

2 questions about hens

purplebat

2 questions about hens

mercury

2 questions about hens

purplebat

2 questions about hens

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