Omlet Smart Autodoor - New in box

[dannablue]

I presently have 3 sussex and 1 welsummer. I quite fancy adding to the flock perhaps another 2 or 3. I like Buff Orpingtons, Polands and Wyandottes (amongst many others but these are the favourites). My questions are these:

 

1. If I opted to get a poland should I get 2 as I read somewhere (not sure if this is right) that the other birds might be more tempted to pull feathers from it especially its head. (Same for the wyandottes - would a single one be OK?)

 

2. Would the others be OK with the Orpington as it is quite a large bird?

 

The birds I have are all fairly placid just the odd peck now and again (usually over a worm) but generally they get on fine together.

 

(Still fairly new to this so just want some reassurance/advice before I take another plunge)

[tom123]

I would suggest not getting Polands as they are susceptible to bullying due to their feathers getting in the way of their vision. Wyandottes and Orpingtons are your best bet.

 

It is recommended that you get 2 new birds to make the intros easier on the newcomers. Have a look at this thread for info on introductions.

 

[dannablue]

Thanks for that. Will give it some serious thought before I take the plunge.

[Guest]

I agree with Tom123.

 

Get 2 birds so if they are a bit bullied they can go off together.

 

I also agree about the polands that is why I opted out on getting them. Get a robust bird who could stand up for itself. Orpingtons are good but they are MASSIVE.

 

Think about going for another kind of large fowl. Dont go for anything like Brahma or Orpington unless you know you have to space. I would go for Barnevelders ? They are so pretty and good egg producers. Or how about Marsh Daisy's they dont go broody.

 

Im sure other people can give more ideas on breeds.

[Mollie333]

Rhys she might be on about Orpington Bantams,

Since she's putting them in with a Welsummer and Sussex, which are not as big.

Wyandottes are really pretty, expecailly 'Silver Laced'. I'd like to hatch some Wyandottes one day.

 

Polands and Silkies are prone to bullying cause of there lack of eyesight, my 15 week old Silkie girl gets bullied by Jon(and Edward, but shes now passed on) and most of the time runs and hides under the ladder, she is now in the coop with my two hybrids rather than a Pekin and a Silkie x Pekin. The breeder advised me not to get Silkies, but i got her when she was young, shes still actually settling in.

 

Orpington Large fowl are, hence the name, LARGE. Theres a big difference between a Poland and a Orpington, so have a big search around and do research because you may find something that suits you a little bit better. If you do go for Large fowl please make sure you have the room to keep them, and i wouldn't reccomend introducing on her own.

 

If you do get Polands, i would get atleast two to make sure they don't get bullied.

[Guest]

Since bantams wern't stated i don't know. The orpington bantams will be the same as your large fowl.

[dannablue]

I wasnt thinking bantams originally but will throw that suggestion into the mix. Not sure I will add to my flock as yet I am still contemplating the pros and cons and doing research on breeds etc. Have even discussed how much extra work it would involve, the amount of extra poo to pick etc. etc. Being very thorough. Thanks for all the hints and tips though, much appreciated.

[Guest]

I own some small Marsh Daisy's which are LF but what experiences i have had with bantams are amazing.

 

 

They are lovely little birds and can sure stand up for themselves.

[chickyhazel]

Wyandottes are gorgeous and I think you should be fine introducing 2 of them. DO NOT introduce a lone bird - we have experience and, believe me, it's so much better introducing 2.

[dannablue]

If I added any more it would definitely be 2 or 3. I do like the Wyandottes, my OH likes the gold and I like the silver laced ones. Will look at the Marsh Daisy also...trouble is there are so many gorgeous ones.

[chickyhazel]

If you and your OH like the Wyandottes, why not get one gold and one silver laced? Then you are both happy. Marsh Daisys are pretty but I would stick with Wyandottes.

[dannablue]

If you and your OH like the Wyandottes, why not get one gold and one silver laced? Then you are both happy. Marsh Daisys are pretty but I would stick with Wyandottes.

 

I think this is one option which is very favourable. At the moment we are at the stage of "want more chickens but do we have space, and just think of the extra work involved" ...then OH says "think we should stick with 4"....then we go back to "want more chickens..."

 

Thanks for your help

[Guest]

If I added any more it would definitely be 2 or 3. I do like the Wyandottes, my OH likes the gold and I like the silver laced ones. Will look at the Marsh Daisy also...trouble is there are so many gorgeous ones.

 

 

If you look at Marsh Daisy's my personal opinion look at the Brown they have more patterns on their feathers and the colours are striking. Whereas the Wheaton are light almost white and brown.

[chickyhazel]

Actually, it's not that much harder to keep 6 than 4... we went from 3, to 4, to 6, to 10, to 14, and now 13. Other than more food to buy, more poo to pick, and an extra house to clean, it's not really any harder.

[dannablue]

Actually, it's not that much harder to keep 6 than 4... we went from 3, to 4, to 6, to 10, to 14, and now 13. Other than more food to buy, more poo to pick, and an extra house to clean, it's not really any harder.

 

I figured 4 to 6 wouldnt be too much more work. The coop is big enough for 6 and so would the run be. We have plenty space in the garden for them too. I poo pick each day in the coop and every other day in the run so a couple more poos would neither be here nor there. The food is paid for from the eggs I sell to friends etc. so the cost wouldnt be an issue. Thanks for confirming my thoughts.

 

My other concern of course is the introductions thing but I am reading up on that now - some very good posts on here. I think we will take the plunge, we just need to agree on when and what birds etc.