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Gallina

New hens

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I have just done something very rash. I have ordered four new hens from Wernlas:

 

Silver-laced Wyandotte

Buff Cochin

Buff Orpington

Cobar

 

The last is going to be a surprise, so please don't tell me what Cobars look like (unless there is something I ought to know, e.g. if they have naked necks, which I don't like).

 

I had to give away one hen recently because she was too violent to the others, and my oldest hen, Alma, died of old age around what would have been her third birthday. So I only have four hens left, which is not enough if you have a Cube as well as an Eglu.

 

I am having them delivered by special hen courier from Wernlas and some of you may find it useful to know that the delivery charge is the same whether you order a lot of hens or just one. It might be worth people who live near each other doing a joint order. I am going to have to pay £50 to have them couriered from Shropshire to Oxford, and as I do not have a car, it is good value, as a train and taxis would cost much more than that (not to mention the time). Also I am dreadful at choosing and would never be able to make my mind up.

 

Is four enough, I am asking myself? Sue has said that the ones I have chosen are all gentle breeds, which was my main criterion having suffered recently from a cannibal hen.

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Lucky you :D

 

I can't find a Cobar in my book "The complete encyclopedia of Chickens". Can't wait to see what one looks like.

 

I have that book too (was given it as a freebie with my secondhand eglu). It's good for pure breeds but doesn't have much to say about commercial hybrids - and I'm guessing that the Cobar is some kind of autosexing hybrid, like the Cream Legbar and the Rhodebar. I can only think of one breed that begins with 'Co-' though - this should be interesting ;)

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Oooh, found pictures - not going to post the link here, don't want to spoil it for Gallina. There is a great page that explains what all the crosses are with pics! PM me if you want the link :lol:

 

I think you'll be pleased with it though Gallina! 8)

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I see that Buffie and Showshill on this forum have a Cobar. I have cheated a bit (although I haven't seen any pictures), and I think it is a special kind of Wernlas Cochin. I told Sue I liked fluffy feet, and she chose it for me when my fourth choice turned out not to be available.

 

I like big fat docile hens that don't fly, and when I get (even) older I think I will have nothing but Cochins: one of every kind. They always make people smile, and there is no nastiness in them at all. And they live for ten years.

 

I think I have sleeping room for several more hens, but sadly I can't let them out enough because of foxes, so I think two in the Eglu + two extra extensions and six in the Cube with one extra extension will have to suffice.

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Wow. They sound lovely, I can't wait to see the pictures. I'd love a silver-laced Wyandotte. How far do they courier, I wonder ? :wink:

 

(I'm just thinking of the lady from the US who posted recently - her chickens were being delivered in the mail, with a melon inside the parcel to eat on the journey!)

 

I reckon if you have two extensions on the Eglu you could easily have four in there, Gallina - I have three, with one extension, and very limited free-range and they are fine. Not that I'm trying to encourage you or anything!

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I like big fat docile hens that don't fly, and when I get (even) older I think I will have nothing but Cochins: one of every kind. They always make people smile, and there is no nastiness in them at all. And they live for ten years.

 

 

one of every kind would be fabulous! They are the most gorgeous hens arent they? one of mine is broody at the moment but she is not nasty at all - really cuddley. I dont like flighty birds so cochins are perfect. mine love my company.

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I think Wernlas will courier anywhere, but you have to wait until there are enough orders going in the right direction to make it worth while, because they use a special hen courier.

 

I don't know yet when I will get my hens (but it won't be all that long).

 

The Cochins will go in the Cube when they get big and I shall probably put my dainty Bluebelle and Amber Star back in the Eglu. I have to see how they all get on with each other first, as I know it is possible to have a Cochin or two in the Eglu too.

 

I don't like to see the hens getting in each other's way; I don't think I want to squeeze any more in, even though it is possible.

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I have just had a telephone call to say that my four new hens from Wernlas will be delivered on Tuesday morning.

 

They are so small that Sue is sending some growers' pellets with them, as they haven't progressed yet to layers' pellets.

 

I can't wait to see them. I have never had hens quite so young before, but I am glad. I think the younger you get them, the tamer they become.

 

I am picturing three fluffy dumplings with feathery feet (the Cochin, Buff Orpington, and the Cobar) and a rather more elegant companion (the silver-laced Wyandotte that I have always wanted).

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I have four in the Cube at the moment, and its run with one extension is definitely big enough for a couple more.

 

(The Cube itself would easily hold a dozen big hens, but I can't let them out enough to pack them in like this.)

 

I am keeping my Eglu + two extensions, but I don't yet know how I am going to divide up my brood. Initially it will be babies in the Eglu, and I will decide which ones get on well together before the babies get too enormous, as obviously they can't stay there, as they are all large breeds.

 

If the old ones are spiteful, they will go back in the Eglu whence they came, except for my big old Cochin, who has never pecked another hen and just doesn't have any aggression in her.

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That sounds a lovely mix of chickens Gallina, can't wait to see the pics. :D

 

And with Wernlas being near to me :think:

 

Chicken fever is all around at the moment, lots of people up-grading to cubes etc - I'm finding it very hard not to be tempted with more chooks :roll::lol:

 

Helen

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My four new babies from Wernlas arrived today by courier in two boxes.

 

They are very quiet and young. They all took themselves to bed in the Eglu long before it got dark.

 

One thing that surprised me is that all four arrived fitted with bumper bits. I did not ask for this. Is it becoming the norm now for hens to be supplied wearing them? I have left them in, but don't feel all that happy about it, as they haven't done anything wrong yet. Or do bumper bits work better as a preventative if the hens never learn to feather-pluck?

 

I am hopeless with names. They are probably going to end up being called Buffie, Sylvie, Orps, and Cobbie, as I never seem to use the names I give my hens.

 

The Cochins are so young they don't have feathers on their feet yet. The sliver Wyandotte is the prettiest so far.

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