Omlet cube and run

[Isabel]

Does anyone have any experience of Dorkings? I'm wondering what their personalities are like, what are they like in the garden and really anything else that might be relevant! Also, Wyandottes ... are they docile and friendly or are they more likely to be skittish?

 

Going to a Poultry Sale on Saturday (hopefully) and one of the breeders has, amongst others, those two breeds. Off to replace the Pekins. From what I have heard, the sale is being very strictly policed - purebreds only, no hybrids, all animals to be displayed in good-sized cages with access to food and water, no illness or disease - anyone with suspect animals will be asked to leave. Sounds okay? The guys who are runing it are reputable breeders ... and it sounds like it'll be a small sale so hopefully that's a good thing.

 

Anyway, hoping to get a gold-laced Orpington and maybe one of the above two breeds. Am trying to guide DSs' in the right direction

 

Any info welcome and appreciated, as always.

 

Thanks

 

Isabel

[ISCA]

Hi,

 

I have a Silver Grey Dorking, she is 25 weeks old. She is smaller than all my other hens but quite bossy when she wants to be and number 3 of 6 in the pecking order. She is very inquisitive and usually the first to come over for hand fed treats. She is the only one who uses the perches in the WIR, and sits up high surveying the others. Dorkings are quite slow at maturing, so I expect her to be the last one to lay an egg (which should be white).

 

I got her as Dorkings are an ancient breed and I was keen to have a mixed flock. I ahve no regrets.

[Isabel]

Thanks for replying ICSA. She sounds like a lovely girl and just the sort of lady I'd like in my little flock. I'm also interested in them as they're one of the old and rare breeds.

[sjp]

I've got a Wyandotte she can be a bit gobby when she's laid but no more than some of the others I've got even if she did teach them that trick she doesn't lay a very big egg for her size. she's not to keen on being pick up but that might just be her and I've only had her since easter and she went broody mid May.she has made a fantastic broody and mom.and is a great character to have about

[Redwing]

Wyandottes are lovely - calm and placid, most of my flock are Wyandottes

[Isabel]

Thanks everyone! The Wyandottes sound great so that might well be what we go for (silver-laced) ... I phoned the breeder tonight and his Dorkings are all gone. He is, however, hoping to bring along Buff, Black, Gold-laced, spash and blue Orpingtons . I'm just going to see what's there on Saturday but if I've any doubts, I ain't buying !

[Redwing]

You'll need a big hen house for orpingtons unless they are bantams

[Isabel]

Hmmm ... I know and they're not! Our house is one of the FSF Maggies - it seems, to my inexperienced eye, pretty roomy. At the moment we've got 3 girls in there - 1 Orp (my fave, a real honey!), a Sussex and a New Hamp Red. They all settle on one perch bar and I've another to go in. The house is advertised as being suitable for 6 - there seems to be plenty of headroom and I reckon if we have 5 hens in there, they should be happy enough. What do you reckon?

[Redwing]

The Maggies are pretty roomy you'll be ok

[Isabel]

Thanks Tasha.

[ISCA]

I love my two Orps, Marjorie Bloomers (Buff) and Barbara (Splash). They are big girls but mostly feathers and Lulu my Light Sussex is bigger, frame wise, I would say.

 

Barbara started laying last week at just 24 weeks of age which is early for an Orp I believe. Nice eggs, though small at present, bless her. She has worked her way up the pecking order to Number 2, displacing Lulu.

 

I would love a Black and Partridge Orpington but sadly no room at the Inn! At six is my limit I am told

[Isabel]

They're wonderful girls, aren't they ICSA. Nigella started laying at 24-25 weeks also. Like your girls, small eggs, around 40-49g, but the lady we got her from told me her eggs will get bigger as she matures. Ours is bottom of the pecking order - she's just too laid back to be any higher up. It'll be interesting to see what happens if we get two more girls. When the Pekins were here for their short stay, I saw her put them in their place a couple of times. Haven't seen pics of partridge Orps so must go google one now to see what they're like!