rufusrooster Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 Finally have my new wir ready for my 4 existing hens and 3 new arrivals, i'm after some pure breeds and theres not much i can find locally, a few at Storrs but not really what i'm looking for, Wernlas looks like my only option so can anyone whose bought from them advise what breeds to choose ? ive narrowed it down to the following - 1. Gold Laced Wyandotte - only one i'm quite sure i would like. 2. white egg layer - Gold Legbar or Dorking ? 3. brown egg layer - Cuckoo Maran or Barnebar ? how brown are the eggs likely to be ? 4. Cream Legbar if non of option 2 lay a dark brown egg. i would love to go down there and see them myself and pick them, but its a 7 or 8 hour round trip or pay the £55 courier charge but they wont be able to give me a date, could be waiting weeks what do i do ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 Have you tried **Raw Green Cottages**? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 The Wyandotte would be a good choice, the Wernlas stock of Wyandottes is good quality I have a Gold Legbar from Wernlas and she is really super, lovely big white eggs and very pretty but not that friendly - they are a bit more jumpy than the Dorkings Dorkings are an old breed and more rare so it would be like buying a bit of history which could be nice Their Barnebars are very nice, really neat birds, glossy and pretty, they should lay a nice dark egg, Cuckoo Marans can be more hit and miss when it comes to egg colour bt they will be darker than youur average egg anyway. Neither will lay the darkest of dark eggs though Cream Legbars are a nice choice, lovely blue eggs but like the Gold Legbar its a lighter bird so quicker and more flighty though many are perfectly friendly Have you thought about wating for what you need more locally? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rufusrooster Posted December 5, 2009 Author Share Posted December 5, 2009 Have you tried **Raw Green Cottages**? i received and email from Jody just this week, not much at the moment, might be worth giving her a ring i suppose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rufusrooster Posted December 5, 2009 Author Share Posted December 5, 2009 The Wyandotte would be a good choice, the Wernlas stock of Wyandottes is good quality I have a Gold Legbar from Wernlas and she is really super, lovely big white eggs and very pretty but not that friendly - they are a bit more jumpy than the Dorkings Dorkings are an old breed and more rare so it would be like buying a bit of history which could be nice Their Barnebars are very nice, really neat birds, glossy and pretty, they should lay a nice dark egg, Cuckoo Marans can be more hit and miss when it comes to egg colour bt they will be darker than youur average egg anyway. Neither will lay the darkest of dark eggs though Cream Legbars are a nice choice, lovely blue eggs but like the Gold Legbar its a lighter bird so quicker and more flighty though many are perfectly friendly Have you thought about wating for what you need more locally? thanks, some good tips there, how much of a guarantee are blue eggs though ? as for anything locally, i would be waiting till spring, i'm to impatient i'm afraid and would like to introduce my existing girs and the new intros in the new run together if poss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barkisland Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 I have a Cream Legbar from Wernlas. (She's my favourite, actually ) A lovely little bird. with lots of personality. But she is very small, and very nervy. She is picked on mercilessly by the others. When in lay, she lays a small, light blue egg, but she has stopped laying for the winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 A proper cream Legbar will always lay a blue egg A strain of Cream Legbar that isnt completely pure will lay blue or green A hybrid 'version' such as a Columbine about 80% will lay a blue or green egg and the rest will lay cream Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 I've got a Cream Legbar from wernlas again she's on the small side but she's not nervy at all but she is bottom of the pecking order so does get 'slapped' from time to time but that getting less now. she's the first of the wernlas girls to come running when the treat tub comes out she's the only one of the 3 that doesn't back off when the 2 big girls hand feed her head is right in there. the Gold Legbar isn't as friendly as the Cream and is slightly more flighty but she's getting braver by the day she even squares up to the Columbian Black tail now the Barnbar is a ladette but also a coward if she's stood up to she always back off always last to the treats a won't take them if one of the others move in on them. she's the only one I wouldn't let a child hand feed because she does peck the hand that feeds her.but she's got the softest feathers of the lot and she does like to be stroked but only on her terms I can't comment on the eggs as they haven't started to lay yet but I'd recommend all 3 breeds they all 3 bring some thing to a flock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 How about **Glencroft Poultry**. They will deliver.....and are Yorkshire based. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 The Wyandotte would be a good choice, the Wernlas stock of Wyandottes is good quality I agree with Tasha, my Gold Laced Wyandotte from Wernlas a a beautiful girl Their Barnebars are very nice, really neat birds, glossy and pretty, they should lay a nice dark egg I echo this, I bought my Barnebar specifically for a dark brown egg, my Peri (from Wernlas) lays a bog standard brown egg - when she lays that is, no eggs from her for 2 months, she went broody and has now decided to moult Cream Legbars are a nice choice, lovely blue eggs but like the Gold Legbar its a lighter bird so quicker and more flighty though many are perfectly friendly My Wernlas CLB Leela, lays a medium sized blue egg and is a lovely girl (and is my favourite ). She was very flighty and nervy to start with, but is now so friendly and affectionate. She loves a cuddle. Mine isn't bottom of my pecking order, but she is low down. When I went to Wernlas it was a 6hr round trip, but we made a day of it, it was also great to walk around all the pens and see other breeds. It was there I fell in love with Silkies and Appenzellers, which I have since got elsewhere. The only thing I would say if you do go, is take wellies!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rufusrooster Posted December 6, 2009 Author Share Posted December 6, 2009 (edited) A proper cream Legbar will always lay a blue egg A strain of Cream Legbar that isnt completely pure will lay blue or green A hybrid 'version' such as a Columbine about 80% will lay a blue or green egg and the rest will lay cream so that begs the question, are Wernlas CLB's pure ? i have a columbine, very friendly and does not get picked on, her eggs vary a bit, sometimes they are a bluey green and sometimes greeny blue, if that makes sense ? pastel a good layer as well, 1st egg was 43gm in mid August but her average in November was 55gm, biggest yet 60gm. a decent size me thinks for the size of the bird. Edited December 6, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rufusrooster Posted December 6, 2009 Author Share Posted December 6, 2009 How about **Glencroft Poultry**. They will deliver.....and are Yorkshire based. only do hybrids by the looks of it, unless anyone knows differently ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rufusrooster Posted December 6, 2009 Author Share Posted December 6, 2009 The Wyandotte would be a good choice, the Wernlas stock of Wyandottes is good quality I agree with Tasha, my Gold Laced Wyandotte from Wernlas a a beautiful girl Their Barnebars are very nice, really neat birds, glossy and pretty, they should lay a nice dark egg I echo this, I bought my Barnebar specifically for a dark brown egg, my Peri (from Wernlas) lays a bog standard brown egg - when she lays that is, no eggs from her for 2 months, she went broody and has now decided to moult Cream Legbars are a nice choice, lovely blue eggs but like the Gold Legbar its a lighter bird so quicker and more flighty though many are perfectly friendly My Wernlas CLB Leela, lays a medium sized blue egg and is a lovely girl (and is my favourite ). She was very flighty and nervy to start with, but is now so friendly and affectionate. She loves a cuddle. Mine isn't bottom of my pecking order, but she is low down. When I went to Wernlas it was a 6hr round trip, but we made a day of it, it was also great to walk around all the pens and see other breeds. It was there I fell in love with Silkies and Appenzellers, which I have since got elsewhere. The only thing I would say if you do go, is take wellies!!!! trouble is, if i saw them all it would take me another 7/8 hours to make my mind up they dont call me Mr. Decisive for no reason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rufusrooster Posted December 6, 2009 Author Share Posted December 6, 2009 The Wyandotte would be a good choice, the Wernlas stock of Wyandottes is good quality I have a Gold Legbar from Wernlas and she is really super, lovely big white eggs and very pretty but not that friendly - they are a bit more jumpy than the Dorkings Dorkings are an old breed and more rare so it would be like buying a bit of history which could be nice Their Barnebars are very nice, really neat birds, glossy and pretty, they should lay a nice dark egg, Cuckoo Marans can be more hit and miss when it comes to egg colour bt they will be darker than youur average egg anyway. Neither will lay the darkest of dark eggs though Cream Legbars are a nice choice, lovely blue eggs but like the Gold Legbar its a lighter bird so quicker and more flighty though many are perfectly friendly Have you thought about wating for what you need more locally? what colour eggs do the Wyandottes lay ? it says cream, but that seems a bit vague, i suppose it would also be nice to have a liitle flock of the same breed, 3 wyandottes maybee, but i do like the idea of having different coloured eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbier Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 I went to Wernlas a couple of weeks ago, to get my two (cream legbar and marans). They had a restricted list (around 6-8 varieties?) of hens (didn't ask after bantams) that were available at point of lay size, so it may be worth ringing first to check what's available. I do know the appenzellers weren't available then. I'd definitely second the advice to wear wellies!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poached Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 hi i have a french copper blue maran who is a lovely girl and lays the darkest eggs i have ever seen it a bit like a chocolate egg they also do black marans and splash marans which are equally nice josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rufusrooster Posted December 6, 2009 Author Share Posted December 6, 2009 I went to Wernlas a couple of weeks ago, to get my two (cream legbar and marans). They had a restricted list (around 6-8 varieties?) of hens (didn't ask after bantams) that were available at point of lay size, so it may be worth ringing first to check what's available. I do know the appenzellers weren't available then. I'd definitely second the advice to wear wellies!!! thanks Debbie, i have spoken to them this week to check what is available so have based my choices on that info, things change from day to day so i wll confirm when / if i order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rufusrooster Posted December 6, 2009 Author Share Posted December 6, 2009 hi i have a french copper blue maran who is a lovely girl and lays the darkest eggs i have ever seen it a bit like a chocolate egg they also do black marans and splash marans which are equally nice josh they only have cuckoos at the mo Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 RR - Wernlas cream legbars should be pure, they have a good reputation and their birds arent cheap so you would like to think that they would be and I personally dont think they would risk their reputation however it is worth speaking to them to get clarification if you are relying on getting blue eggs Wyandottes all lay a cream to pale brown egg, lighter than ones you see in the supermarket but not 'cream' as I would call it if you see what I mean Most reports I ahve heard about Wernlas are good, I did get a 'wrong' hen from them in that I bought a Wernlas Olive who turned out not to be that breed but to be fair the young lad that picked her out for me was faced with a big pen of very similar birds of only 10 weeks old so I put that down to smple error. Someone on here had a problem wth the delivery service which seems vague at best inefficient at worst but on the whole the people do care about the birds and it is a lovely place, you can be reassured that the hens will be good quality in good shape Having said that do explore more of the breeders in your area so that you have a chance of going and picking your hens which is a wonderful experience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rufusrooster Posted December 6, 2009 Author Share Posted December 6, 2009 oh guys, thanks for the advice, ive rang and put a deposit down on a Gold Laced Wyandotte, Gold Legbar and a Barnebar. As Redwing says delivery is very hit and miss, could be waiting weeks or even longer, hopefully i will hear something this week :pray:extremely doubtful so i will have to make the effort and drive down there next weekend. ps. with wellies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 Well done RR, a nice set of chooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 RR - If you want to see photos of the girls and their eggs, I have them on my webcam site. You have chosen lovely girls there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 This year I got from Wernlas a few different colour egg lays - all are great. A double-laced Barnvelder lays dark brown eggs - so pretty as well and a great big chicken (and still laying now). A crean legbar - lovely sky blue eggs - she only stopped laying for the winter a week ago - so laid far longer than I expected. Then I have a Silver-grey Dorking, I would say her eggs are more pale cream than china white, but such a rare historic bird and again so pretty. They have so much choice, but for some you might need to wait for them in the spring when they start laying again. Mine all came from eggs laid in Jan 2009 and I collected them once they were sexed in April - all were laying by July. I would recommend Wernlas - the birds are worth waiting for. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rufusrooster Posted December 6, 2009 Author Share Posted December 6, 2009 RR - If you want to see photos of the girls and their eggs, I have them on my webcam site. You have chosen lovely girls there great pics there, and all them stats, think the wyandotte is gorgious, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brambles Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 My wernlas cream legbar is a dear little thing, very friendly, quite flighty and still rather tiddly at 22 weeks - but she's a purebreed so will grow slower on these dark days! She's starting to pink up a bit and her friend, the gorgeous and huge partridge cochin has a scarlet face - but no eggs yet! I'm sure you'll be delighted with your new girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
