Sisters woman breeds for quality backyard chickens

Ask Christine Cole of Sisters Feed & Supply any question on animal health, nutrition or breeding and she'll return with a wealth of accurate, illuminating answers.

She's like our own private Wikipedia for pet care and advice.

From birds to lizards, aquarium fish to horses, Cole's knowledge spans the spectrum of the animal kingdom. But her pride and passion is her rare breed roosters and chickens.

Cole is a hobby-breeder of what are known as dual-purpose "Heritage Breed" birds, which represent traditional or pure foundation stock used in the original development of a different breed through

crossbreeding.

Sisters Feed & Supply owner Fred McCaulou attests to Cole's ability to absorb and retain information.

"She doesn't just want to own a pet, she wants to learn everything about it," he said. "From the history of the animals to their training and color genetics. She's worked here since I took over in 1997. She's very smart and reads a lot. Her memory is specific to the things she's interested in. I just can't fathom how she can name the most obscure pet disease or condition."

Cole's goal is to not only provide a better quality local bird for backyard use than can be found at a hatchery, but to also encourage kids and adults to get involved in the hobby, and educate people on how to raise a healthy source of meat and eggs.

"My chicks hatched three weeks ago, and I should have another one this coming Sunday. I have blue-laced red Wyandottes and some mottled Javas right now for sale," said Cole. "These heritage breeds were popular in the 1800s and found in most people's yards and ranches. Many are on the threatened or critical list with the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Most big commercial breeders have gone to obscure crosses that maximize their output of meat and eggs. They want fast growers to maximize profits. The taste and texture of a home-raised bird is far superior to anything you can buy at the market."

With each batch, she'll collect eggs for seven days, place them in the incubator, then start candling after a week.

Candling is the process of examining each egg under a high-intensity lamp to check for fertility. Fertile eggs will display spider web-like blood vessels on the inside.

The temperature must be kept at a steady 99-1/2 to 100 degrees. Eggs are turned by hand or machine four to five times a day.

Left naturally, hens turn their eggs by shuffling their feet or using their beaks.

"On Day 14 we candle again to check for dead embryos, then take them off the auto-turner at Day 18. At Day 20 you start to see indentations in the eggs called 'pipping,'" Cole explained. "After that the chicks will hatch within 24 hours. You can set your watch by them."

Cole's day-old chicks sell for $4.50 each. Started birds six weeks and older go for $8 and up.

In addition to breeding, Cole also exhibits her Silkies and Old English Game Bantams at the county fair in Redmond and poultry shows in Washington and Oregon. Those two breeds are specifically used for exhibition and perfect for 4-H kids, due to their gentle nature. Most prep work for showing is done at home with a kitchen sink acting as a personal birdbath. From that point they can be wrapped in a towel or left to air dry.

"I almost made my uncle pass out one day," she said. "I was in the bathroom bathing my rooster and blow-drying his feathers when he walked by and saw what I was doing. My rooster, Nutmeg, loves the warm air of the dryer. All my breeds are friendly and easy to handle. You actually have to hold their heads out of the water, they get so relaxed."

At the show, birds are displayed in cages and scored by judges for disqualifying faults and marked on cage cards.

Cole has won many Best of Variety awards and several Best of Breed prizes in the short time she's been showing.

Cole also wants people to see that not all roosters are mean.

"I love my roosters the best," she said. "They have so much personality and flair, and they really brighten up the barnyard. Ben is my big Wyandotte boy, and I don't know how I'm going to fit him in my sink. He'll be 10 or 12 pounds when he's done growing."

Java and Wyandotte chicks will be available this week, just in time for Easter. Cole is happy to get anyone started in the hobby and thinks it's a great activity for family fun and learning about the breeds.

Contact her for more information at her Web site, www.silknfeather.weebly.com or stop by Sisters Feed & Supply.