[Dave C]

Extended the IG pen to give them some fresh grass

I've never known a breed eat as much grass and greens and as little pellets as these.




They are filling out nice now but still slower to mature than my La Bresse, im hoping a cross between them will be ideal

[Dave C]

My Poulet Galouise which is a Label Rouge style french table hybrid
She is 21 weeks now and been laying like the clappers for 4 weeks already

I wish I could hatch some eggs from her straight away as you never know how long they will last as they are designed to be processed at 12 weeks, but she's very fit and rangers a good 100 mts or so from her run every day.

[RPF]

Hi Dave, sorry for my belated reply. Your IG are looking very healthy, there's a nice lot of apples too! I bet they love all the wind falls. Have you fancied processing a couple for yourself to try ?

That PG looks like a plump young thing, gosh! Would defo cross well with something.

Given that I'm getting mine processed, I'm going to have to bang a couple or more on the head to see the difference myself. The IGX cocks would be easy to spot as don't have blue legs but the hens do. I've only got 4 IGXs so will process them myself me thinks.

I've let batches 2 and 3 into a new fattening pen together. Lots of grass to eat and small willows to shield them, they love it. Batch 1 are still in the chicken tractor. I'll probably leave them in there as they are ready, I think. I'll get some picks over the weekend or Monday. Depends on how long I stay at Newbury show. Was going to exhibit a LB cockerel but I haven't the energy to go to the other side of the farm to get him etc so exhibiting the missus' Buff Orpington cock and one of my IG hens.

How do you process your birds?

[RPF]

Trying to upload photos of IGs but not having much luck

[RPF]

Well, I can't upload any photos so I'll try again another day.

I may as well allude to my chicken tractor that is pictured and mentioned at the beginning of this thread. I have found that it can hold up to 20 chickens comfortably, if moved every week. That gives them a really good free range but you could fit a lot more in. Next time I'll use it as a confinement pen for the last few weeks. So I'll roof it all with tin and put wind breaker mesh all around. No need to move it as I'll bed it down with straw.

This particular chicken tractor has its major draw backs 1. It's extremely heavy, has to be towed with high power tractor rather than atv, Land Rover, compact tractor. 2. Due to its length/size it has to be towed onto completely flat ground otherwise gaps appear underneath. 3. Food and water (by bowser) have to be taken out to the middle of a field seperated to the other colony.

So, my experience with it, in case anyone has seen it and wants to get one made up, is that it's a lot of work for 20 or so chickens. If it were static and used as a confined pen near the amenities of the main colony, with roofing and side weather protection, it would serve a better purpose.

[Dave C]

Hi Dave, sorry for my belated reply. Your IG are looking very healthy, there's a nice lot of apples too! I bet they love all the wind falls. Have you fancied processing a couple for yourself to try ?

That PG looks like a plump young thing, gosh! Would defo cross well with something.

Given that I'm getting mine processed, I'm going to have to bang a couple or more on the head to see the difference myself. The IGX cocks would be easy to spot as don't have blue legs but the hens do. I've only got 4 IGXs so will process them myself me thinks.

I've let batches 2 and 3 into a new fattening pen together. Lots of grass to eat and small willows to shield them, they love it. Batch 1 are still in the chicken tractor. I'll probably leave them in there as they are ready, I think. I'll get some picks over the weekend or Monday. Depends on how long I stay at Newbury show. Was going to exhibit a LB cockerel but I haven't the energy to go to the other side of the farm to get him etc so exhibiting the missus' Buff Orpington cock and one of my IG hens.

How do you process your birds?

Thanks mate yes I am fancying try an I G or 2, I think a mate locally is taking at least a cockerel and maybe a couple of hens which will be ideal for me just incase I loose mine for any reason.

I have a hen with an eye injury at the moment so waiting to see what happens before I let any go.
Thinking of processing my spare cockerel just to see what they are like pure, I have heard they are a bit tough but would like to taste for myself.

Yes my PG is a nice looking thing and really docile to have around, but do I cross her with IG or LB ?

I think LB might be more suited but i don't want any more white birds ha.
So might be an IG, keep a cockerel the buy in some more PG next year to cross that with.

I process them myself but would like to find some where local that would process 50 birds or so for my future project.

[RPF]

This is one of my jubilee pullets

[RPF]

This hen won 1ST at the Royal County of Berkshire (Newbury) Show

[RPF]

This is my dark cockerel, still a bit leggy

[RPF]

Some jubilee cockerels

[RPF]

Mine are still a bit leggy but filling out nicely. I think there are 19 weeks or there abouts as from 1st week in May

[RPF]

Jubilee hen with chicks

[Clansman]

Robin are there any other things they do in France other than what you've already mentioned about rearing the La Bresse?

Is that the traditional way or do they do anything else do you know?

[RPF]

Hi Clansman, the traditional way of rearing La Bresse is featured at the beginning and page 2. I've compiled all the info from my research and condensed it. I don't think I've missed out anything important but each producer may vary slightly eg feeding rice or a higher percentage of maize versus wheat.

I've adapted my method to suit my local environment. Sourcing local ration features heavily on the La Bresse protocol.

Another system in France is the Label Rouge, which uses Sasso-type birds in a free range environment. Their stocking density is 1 bird/4m2 vis-a-vis 10m2 for La Bresse. I think birds are usually about 12 weeks and the protocols are less intense. Birds remain free range and are not fattened in small cages.

So there are differences and similarities. The biggest difference is that La Bresse are pure breeds whereas Label Rouge tend to be hybrids. La Bresse is an artisan craft, Label Rouge is more agribusiness.

Hope this helps.

[Clansman]

Perfect cheers, i missed that page!

I have a friend interested in doing them to the correct procedure used in France