The Gelfügelfzuchtverein Fallersleben und Umgebung has been looking after the chick hatch at phaeno for 15 years. 20 members will be helping out from 23 March to 1 April so that guests can experience this event live at phaeno and the chicks want for nothing. The 1st Chairman, Ulf Brandes, is of course also at phaeno and has found time to answer a few questions in addition to organising the event?
Why do you look after the chick hatch at phaeno?
We want guests to be able to experience the chick hatch. It is a very special event. Of course, we also want to do public relations work for the organisation in this way to give interested people an understanding of our hobby.
Why do you breed chickens?
I want to help preserve the diversity of breeds. I really enjoy working with the animals. I breed German dwarf wyandottes and feather-footed dwarf chickens. The bantams are on the red list. They are therefore endangered.
Why are the eggs "artificially" hatched?
It is safer for breeding to hatch the eggs artificially. You can incubate so many more eggs and keep to the exact conditions. If a hen stands up, it can happen that the entire brood is lost as the eggs cool down.
Do members of the club also let the hen incubate the eggs?
I let a mother hen incubate the eggs from time to time. That is also a very exciting experience. Some members of the club also do it in general, as it's just nice to watch.
Do the chicks hatch under the hen?
Yes, the chicks hatch under the hen. Of course, the hen does not always sit on the eggs. She gets up from time to time to drink or eat. From the 18th day onwards, however, she remains permanently seated until all the chicks have hatched.
How many chicken breeds are there?
There are around 500 chicken breeds worldwide.
Can you keep cockerels anywhere in Fallersleben and the surrounding area?
We also keep cockerels, otherwise we would not be able to breed. They crow to mark their territory. They usually only crow between sunrise and sunset.
Do you sometimes have trouble with noise pollution?
We haven't had any trouble with noise nuisance from crowing yet.
Which chicks do you think are special?
The variety of chicks in the club is very large. The Paduans, for example, have a cap and look very funny.
Will ducklings also hatch?
Ducklings are expected to hatch again this year.
"Around 20 members ensure that the preparation works and that the chicks are well looked after during the hatching. We are also available to answer guests' questions."
Thank you, Ulf Brandes, for answering our questions.
If you would like to find out more about the work of GZV Fallersleben and the surrounding area, please visit the website. The Bund Deutscher Rassegeflügelzüchter e.V. also provides information about the work and aims of poultry breeding in the brochure.
