The Poultry Keeper

Ottwell · Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 18 Location: North Cheshire

Hi All,

We had 22 eggs candled in the incubator and are on day 20 (today), this morning at 7 am one of of the chicks pipped and hatched in about 20 min whilst my two young daughters looked on in amazement. Hooooray!!

We have left it in the incubator to fluff up (which it is doing) but it looks red raw underneth and in between its legs and is dragging a placenta (I'm guessing yolk sack?) around the size of a 50p. It's still not on its feet a lot and sleeps most of the time but wakes up and chirps back when disturbed.

Is this rawness normal, I'm a bit worried?

I have just checked and there are 3 others pipping so he/she is going to have some company soon!

Looking forward to your comments.

Cheers

Ottwell

tuzo2k · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 206 Location: charente sw france

Sounds as if it hatched a bit prematurely as it has not absorbed all its egg sac. Not a lot you can do except wait and see if it survives. Best of luck.

Ottwell · Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 18 Location: North Cheshire

Thanks.

Mother nature beat me to it, the little one died this morning just after I'd decided it was for the chop.

5 others all fit and active and 4 more pipping.

Will keep you posted.

Cheers

Ottwell

woodo · Joined: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 1 Location: England

I am after some IXWORTH chicks (any age), how much are they going to cost me?

You guys seem to know your stuff!

2/4 weeks old £?

4/8 weeks old £?

8/POL £?

I have heard a lot about this wonderful bird and want some.

Thank you

And

Madmitch · Joined: 07 Apr 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Carmarthen

I have two Ixworth.
Where I get them from they are £3.50 when they hatch and then increase by £1.00 a week.

gibralmoro · Joined: 08 Jul 2008 Posts: 15 Location: Worcestershire

I`m a complete novice with Ixworths having never had them before. I was fortunate enough to be given 6 supposedly fertile purebred eggs, incubated under a Warren/RIR broody, she produced three chicks 10 days ago (2 eggs proved infertile and one unfortunately died in the latter stages of incubation). They are delightful but seem very nervy and flighty in character, is this normal for the breed ?
I have RIR/Warrens free range & 24 Marrans (8 weeks old) together with the broody mother Warren/RIR and her 3 chicks restricted to the farm yard by electric netting at present due to the fact we do have an occasional fox problem in the area ( which the RIR/Warrens are very aware of and readily take to the trees making a lot of noise to warn us there is a predator about (during daytime of course, at night they are securely housed). Reading former posts, Ixworths are not the brightest sparks in the tinder box, are they likely to need predator protection more than normal ? as I would hate to lose any relatively rare stock to Charlie fox…. Any advice most welcome. Thanks in anticipation…
Smile

Meadowgate · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Northwich, Cheshire

We have found that initially Ixworth chicks are quite flighty as well but they do settle down, we think its genetically in bread in them and they seem to have been programmed by Reggie Appleyard to Eat/Grow/Eat/Grow/Eat/Grow/Eat/Grow etc.......and jump in the oven as quick as possible!

It goes without saying if you are concerned about the Old Sly Fox it’s best to keep them protected till they are big enough to handle themselves (you will know when). Ours free range in couple of acres and we have had no problems with them (touch wood), they are always the 1st to peck you for a treat or jump on your lap.

Cheers

Andrea
Meadowgate Farm
E: meadowgatefarm@live.co.uk
W: www.mgf-poultry.mfbiz.com Very Happy

Ottwell · Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 18 Location: North Cheshire

Hi,

We have 4 chicks at 5 weeks old chicks and 2 at 12 weeks, all are destined for the table.

We have not eaten any Ixworth’s yet , at what age would you putting them to the sword?

I know people say you will know when they are ready but there must be an ideal 2/3 week window for culling?

We want to roast them.

Ours free range on about 4 acres.

Meadowgate I see from your location you must be close to me!

Any advice welcome

Ottwell