Cube mk2 and WIR

[ootischenia]

Hi there,

First of all, I'm Ootie--

Originally from the Old South,

recently moved to Alba after meeting a very lovely man in a kilt who stole my heart!!

 

And now we are abandoning city life for the far north of Scotland--

and I wan to get chickens and ducks.

I''m hoping to have a large garden, and the places we've looked at so far are

generously proportioned, so now I'm down to the business of choosing my breeds.

I want good layers that won't damage my garden and can't fly away.

We're vegetarians, so I don't care about the table presence--

So far, I like the look of:

Gingernut Rangers, Auracanas, Australorps, and Miss Pepperpots.

 

Does anyone have any adives about these ladies in the far north of Scotland? Any idea how they will get on with each other? Also, I'm hoping to get a beehive or two--any thoughts on bee/chicken relations?

(I know this is

the CHICKEN forum, but any thoughts on Cayugas, Indian Runners, and Campbells would also be appreciated...lemme kniw if I need to go and ask the duck people...

Thanks all!

Ootie

[ali-s]

Hello Ootie, welcome to the forum

 

I'm from Moray so pretty far North. Are you further North than me?

 

All the chickens you mentioned will be fine up here. The climate is pretty similar to down south, although please keep that a secret or everyone will want to live up here

 

I once left the Eglu door completely open one Winter night and the temperature dropped to -15oc The next day the chickens were fine they had a bowl of warm layers pellet porridge and carried on with their daily routine of pooping and scratching, pooping and eating and pooping some more. Chickens don't like windy weather and mine either shelter under a bush or shrub or retire inside the Eglu where it is cosy and warm.

 

If you want a good laying hen go for hybrids such as the Gingernut or Pepperpots these should lay most days although they will lay for a year or two then might slow down rapidly. Auracanas and Australops are pure breeds which should lay well in the Spring/Summer months but will probably stop laying in the Winter. Pure breeds tend to lay for a good 4 or 5 years before slowing down. A mixture of hybrids and pure breeds is a good choice. Pure breeds also like to go broody in the spring and summer which can be a pain to break and whilst being broody they stop laying for a good few weeks.

 

I can't offer any advice about the bees and Ducks, there are a few fourm members who keep bees and ducks who will be able to advise.

 

Good luck with the move North, you won't regret it. I moved up here 17 years ago and love it

[Egluntyne]

Welcome aboard.

[buffie]

You could also add something like Orpingtons who lay in the winter and cope with cold

 

Buffie x

[..lay a little egg for me]

The black rock hybrids are bred in Scotland and are supposedly specially bred to withstand winter weather. We have two, plus a goldline and a speckledy...haven't had them over winter yet, but will be interested to see if there is any difference regarding willingness to be out and about in the cold & wet.

[Sandychick]

 

I want good layers that won't damage my garden

 

Just thought I would mention that they might well do some damage to your favourite plants and lawn They tend to eat most things that are green and scratch about and poo a lot. If the appearence of your garden is important and you have the space, I would recommend sectioning off an area just for the chickens. I have found this works well - they can do what they like in their area while my lawn and veg area is kept intact. I like having a poo free lawn too.

[Steph101]

The black rock hybrids are bred in Scotland and are supposedly specially bred to withstand winter weather. We have two, plus a goldline and a speckledy...haven't had them over winter yet, but will be interested to see if there is any difference regarding willingness to be out and about in the cold & wet.

 

This is spot on. Our black rocks are really hardy, bred for the fierce winters in Scotland. Lovely looking birds too, and excellent layers.

[ootischenia]

Thanks everyone for the advice!!

I'll take it all into account when we get our girls! I'll definitely look into the blacks rocks!

 

Alison--

if we get the house we want, we will be quite a bit further north than you!! (I think--my Scottish geog is still not up to snuff!) We're going to be a wee bit north of Inverness. Of course, if we don't get it, we will start looking again, and who knows, some fab place in Kintyre may catch our eye!!

 

Thanks again!

 

Ootie