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Post by d12chandler on Jan 15, 2012 11:23:10 GMT -5
It's that time of the year when we have to do this if we want to get a nice hatching percent. I cut mine. I'm not to good at pulling. What are some ideas that might be easier? I was visiting with Fred on this and we would like to know those easy ideas.
don
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Post by harrys on Jan 15, 2012 13:21:46 GMT -5
Don, Sorry, I'm a plucker. I tried timming my canaries and if not done right it is like both birds are being stuck with many needles and the results are a big zero. And with canaries there is only a small window for the breeding season. They are not as easy as chickens to breed. So I am not going to waist my time using scissors and still end up with the same results, nothing. And when you sell someone hatching eggs and they only get two fertile eggs from about 15 eggs they will not be happy campers.   |
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Post by lildinkem on Jan 15, 2012 15:08:06 GMT -5
I was told by Doug when you cut instead of pluck, to a cock it would be liking breeding a porcupine. Not a whole lot of fun. He said to pluck around the vent the size of a baseball.
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Post by d12chandler on Jan 15, 2012 16:48:47 GMT -5
I do think plucking is the best. I just can't do it, I tear the skin so bad. I know that can't be good. But I know I have cut the feathers for years and my fertile precent has always been good. It's just hard to get something that will cut the feathers easy.
Don
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Post by harrys on Jan 15, 2012 16:59:23 GMT -5
Don,
I have very few tears but I take my time. One feather generally at a time. The roosters that are over 1 year are generally the easiest if they have tough skin. I had to learn the gentle touch with canaries.
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Post by Fred Kokke on Jan 15, 2012 17:07:57 GMT -5
I cut mine and the rooster is sure doing his job on her.
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Post by lildinkem on Jan 15, 2012 17:10:11 GMT -5
Doug said to pluck just one feather at a time to avoid taring of the skin. I personally never cut or pluck feathers on my vents. The first year I had Deorr Buff Cochins it took just 3 weeks for the Buff Cochin cock to figure it out and then he was 100% hitting the nail on the vent. Same now. I have a Blue Orp pullet who is from Julie's line, and has the fluff and my Harold, a Brown Red looking cock, who is also fluffy is producing fertile chicks. Already hatched 2 from Harold. And have more in the bator. I hached one Buff from Doug's cock he sold me and that bird is on one of my better Buff hens from last year's breedings. Again I did not pluck or cut. So, I think doing nothing is fine once these cocks get the hang of it.
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Post by Fred Kokke on Jan 15, 2012 17:22:44 GMT -5
He was sure soiling her feathers before
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Post by korfuskluckers on Jan 15, 2012 17:39:16 GMT -5
I pluck if I start having fertility problems.
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jeremy
New Member
CA Royal Blues
Posts: 24
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Post by jeremy on Jan 17, 2012 0:26:24 GMT -5
I didn't pluck or cut last year at all and I think I may of had some contact issues because of it. I still hatched a decent number of chicks. I think this year I might trim around their vents just a bit to see if that improves my hatch rate.
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Post by galanie on Jan 30, 2012 14:36:45 GMT -5
Those of you who pluck, do they keep coming back in? Because when I did that on my black cockerel, new feathers started growing back in right away. So I trimmed them the second time instead.
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Post by d12chandler on Jan 30, 2012 19:35:21 GMT -5
That is a good reason to cut. It takes about 6 to 8 weeks to grow a feather back. When you cut, they are like that until they molt.
don
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Post by korfuskluckers on Jan 31, 2012 16:01:19 GMT -5
Those of you who pluck, do they keep coming back in? Because when I did that on my black cockerel, new feathers started growing back in right away. So I trimmed them the second time instead. They do grow back and it is higher mantience. If you trim back to far than you cannot show the bird if it is still in condition. |
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Post by rockinpaints on Feb 17, 2012 23:04:02 GMT -5
I trim if I have to. I am afraid I will tear the skin as well if I try to pluck!
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Post by schroeder on Feb 18, 2012 9:12:24 GMT -5
I'm confused. Are we talking about trimming the rooster, the hen or both?
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