Beauty-Box Posted January 14, 2008 Share Posted January 14, 2008 Hi, I got my new hens today. They are hybrids, but I don't know which breeds. Any ideas? They also have five toes, Is this normal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellekatz Posted January 14, 2008 Share Posted January 14, 2008 Are they Blue egg layers? They look like they have "quiffs" like my Cream Legbar. Sorry I dont know what sort of hybrids though, Rebecca. Where did you get them from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beauty-Box Posted January 14, 2008 Author Share Posted January 14, 2008 Are they Blue egg layers? They look like they have "quiffs" like my Cream Legbar. Sorry I dont know what sort of hybrids though, Rebecca. Where did you get them from? They haven't layed yet so I don't know what colour eggs they lay. I got them off my neighbour. He bought them as eggs and hatched them under his pigeons, he's not sure either. I should have said they have five toes on each foot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellekatz Posted January 14, 2008 Share Posted January 14, 2008 Silkies have five toes.............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted January 14, 2008 Share Posted January 14, 2008 Wow, I'd love to know what the cross is - they're very pretty. Dorkings have 5 toes too. Might be an idea to post the pic on Practical Poultry - have you asked your neighbour where he got the eggs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CockADoodleDoo Posted January 14, 2008 Share Posted January 14, 2008 they are both Gold Tops i know as i had one they are a cross between a Gold Silkie (Hence The Five Toes) and a Light Sussex. They are lovley birds but i advise you to clip their wings as they are quite good flyers i know this as mine jumped up about 6 foot into my apple tree in my garden to get at the apples. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 Our bantams have five toes and have similar hairdos but I don't know what they are! the five toes scared me at first as I thought they might be spurs and hence all cockerels - they were very young when we got them - and one is a cockerel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 According to a post on another forum, Gold Tops are the offspring of a Gold Silkie male and a Light Sussex female.....so that would explain the 5 toes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 They are really very pretty We had a golden silkie once & I would love something with a bit of her in it - might have to look into these golden tops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beauty-Box Posted January 15, 2008 Author Share Posted January 15, 2008 Thanks for the replies! You are all so helpful and kind! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susanbb Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 Yep, definately a Gold Top. Endearing little girls , although my Dusty has BIG attitude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beauty-Box Posted January 20, 2008 Author Share Posted January 20, 2008 Just thought I'd put an update on. Chicken introductions aren't going very well. The older two just won't tolerate the new girls. They have all had the whole of the garden to run about in for a week, but as soon as the new girls go near the older ones the older ones chase them away and try to pull their feathers. The new girls don't stand up for themselves and are terrified of the older ones. I feel so sorry for the new girls, and may have to consider finding a new place for them. They are beautiful little hens and one of them has already given us two eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 Give it time. They say peace usually breaks out after 3 weeks. Make sure the older ones aren't preventing the youngsters from eating and drinking....put extra food stations out if necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 Yes do give it a bit longer. My two oldest had been alone together for over a year and were awful when I tried to introduce new ones, it did take quite a few weeks to integrate them. But they are fine now. The younger ones seemed to integrate much more quickly. They are lovely girls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 They're pretty! I've never seen that particular breed before. I wonder what colour eggs they'll lay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 I agree - give it more time. My first introductions in September were distressing and vicious but all calmed down after the promised 3 weeks. I introduced 2 more just before Christmas and would say that took about a week, so they were definitely more used to having newbies around. It's tough, but it really will be all right! The hen on the right with the black marking looks very like a Buff Sussex, a breed I really like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beauty-Box Posted January 22, 2008 Author Share Posted January 22, 2008 The new girls are both laying now. They both lay light brown eggs. Things are still not great between them and the older girls. The new girls are so terrified of the older girls, they won't even walk past them! They seem quite a bit smaller in size too when they are near them. The new girls are so sweet and very tame, they follow me all round the garden. I might still have to consider finding a new home for them if things don't change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 It's only been a week! It'll be fine. By half-term, they'll be tolerating each other, they may never be friends but it'll be OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beauty-Box Posted January 23, 2008 Author Share Posted January 23, 2008 Thanks Ginette, You are proberbly right, I'm over-reacting. It's not like the older girls have actually been attacking the new girls all the time and they haven't drawn any blood. I really appreciate your kind words. I will give them longer.X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
