How many chickens in Eglu Cube

[tinaduffyjames]

Hi my new walk in run is nearly complete, roof and wire all fixed, just waiting for dear hubby to make the door and slab it. My 3 girls are already in it with a makeshift door and seem really happy, which brings me onto Barnevelders. I understand these beautiful birds are a rare breed and I would really like to add 2 hens to my 3 hybrids. Does anyone know if this breed make good back garden chickens? I have read they need space as they can get lazy and fat but mine freerange from 12ish till dusk so I think that would be ok?

Also, I have been told that I will only be able to get this breed as a set incl a cockerel as that is how they are bought in. Is this right? I really cant keep a cockerel as have neighbours either side so it will be a shame if this means I cant obtain any of this lovely breed.

Should I be lucky enough to get some, I have still got the eglu and run to keep them seperated from my girls initially but ideally they will all live together eventually. Once run is finished I will start some serious searching but wanted your opinions first.

[Redwing]

They arent officially a rare breed but they arent that common

 

They are a heavy breed so as a rule should be calm and placid, they come in 'bantam' form too

 

The breed club would be a good place to start

 

Barnevelder Club

Providing advice and information on the Barnevelder chicken

 

Little Acres, Chapel Lane, Tern Hill, Market Drayton, Shropshire TF9 3PY

ContactNo contact name

 

Tel01630 638630

Emailsusan.broadhurst@btopenworld.com

Websitewww.barnevelder.co.uk

 

they will hold a list of breeders.

 

A breeder would love to see a cockerel homed with females but most accept that this just wont happen and are happy to sell pullets on their own.

 

This is the time of year when show breeders may well be downsizing for the winter and selling off stock that doesnt quite make show grade so you may well be lucky

 

Also worth considering is the autosexing version - the Barnebar

[tinaduffyjames]

thank you, for that. A friend of mine spoke to her supplier regarding the barnevelder on my behalf, she had the bantam and standard but said she would only sell as a set with the cockerel, so it looks like I will have to look elsewhere. The breed society will be a good place to start. so thank you for the details.

[Redwing]

Breeders just have to accept that the majority of people dont want a cockerel

 

Often its a guilt trip for you to 'save' one and for them to get out of dealing with them

 

Sometimes its a genuine hope that they can rehome them sucessfully in a trio or pair

 

Many other breeders will be switched on enough to sell you just the females, hang on in there

[Christian]

I have a Barnevelder and will always have at least one on my flock. They are adorable, chunky, fluffly bundles of joy, that don't lay well, but are just so stunning. They do have a tendency to be lazy if keep confined, but mine all free range and isn't particularly lazy. She is a big girl though and quite heavy, but then she is heavyish breed.

 

The lady I got mine from was happy to just sell pullets, but she is miles from you I'm afraid (in Wiltshire).

 

Good luck finding them

[sjp]

try Wernlas they keep both Barnbars and Barnevelders

I got my Barnbar from them last year

[ubereglu]

I have a barnevelder, she is quite highly strung, but big and fluffy. You really need to keep them with some hybrids so they do plenty of exercise as they then have to chase the others around the garden! She goes on moult the earliest and has nearly finished her moult this year already. She'll come into lay at the beginning of March and lays about 5-6 eggs a week during summer until about early August.

[daxigirl]

Hi I bought a little Barnevelder from Widgets Birds near Reading a couple of weeks ago, they had quite a few growers and some pol. Their group of adults were very lovely looking so I can't wait for her to grow up. She's quite bold and doesn't take any nonsense from the sightly larger Welsummer and CC Legbar.