Unsecure chicken perches

[pips_pekins]

Hello. Well, I have taken the plunge by ordering a cube and am now in a state of panic!

 

Our garden is really small and and we live near fields so there is a risk of foxes and a slight risk of birds of prey meaning that the chooks will be kept in their run unless we are around to supervise.

 

I had my heart set on a mix of 6 small chooks - silkies, polish and pekins but have received different advice from every source so I am now really not sure what to do. We want pets first and are not too bothered about eggs (although some would be nice ) I have been more or less put off polish because it seems they are not good for beginners but what about the other breeds? I also asked about frizzles but again the advice has been mixed there.

 

I would really appreciate any advice as to what breeds might be suitable to mix for a beginner. I want pure breeds because I understand that their life expentancy is longer than hybrids but I am also looking for birds that look a bit different. I am now even wondering if I should go for larger birds rather than small. Initially I thought smaller would be better for us due to the problems outlined above for free ranging.

 

Many thanks for reading.

[Plum]

Best thing is to see what is available around you and then decide. What actually happens is you make up your mind but when you go to buy them you fall in love with another. Don't be put off keeping polands just read up about them first and find out how to meet their needs, its half the fun of keeping chickens.

 

A good book is 'Choosing and keeping chickens' by Chris Graham a good resource. It gives size of large and bantam, their looks, personalities and best living conditions for each breed.

[Daphne]

And whilst I'm the last person to put anyone off keeping polands (they are my 2nd favourite breed), in my view its not so much the difficulty of keeping them, its the problems which can be associated with keeping them in a mixed flock.

 

Their requirements are that you should check their crests regularly for lice/mites and provide a narrow lipped drinker so they don't get wet crests each time they drink. You can free range them, but I feel mine are safer in a run or pen as they can't see well in all directions and so are at a disadvantage escaping from predators and bullies - mine have a predatory cat to contend with. Most importantly, they must have dry shelter to get away from the rain. They have thin skulls and the wet flattens the pompom (crest) exposing the skull - this isn't good for the poland, and it seems often irresistable to other birds who peck them. This can draw blood and lead to more problems as the bird is bullied, particularly as polands can't see upwards well and therefore don't always get out of the way. In fact,the crest just seems to be an attraction for other birds to peck at.

 

People obviously, can and do, keep them in mixed flocks, but its all down to the individual characters of the other breeds. My original polands used to live in a massive mixed flock before I got them and spent their life running about getting away from beaks. I'd say they were happy but fast and not very tame! I myself have a bantam orp (a docile breed) in with my bantam polands, but this isn't through choice and when she goes I won't replace her there. Its OK 95% of the time, except during the moult. I know 2 poland breeders and they will both strongly advise polands to be kept with their own kind.

 

As a generalisation, silkies are mild mannered, pekins are variable and can be feisty with other birds although great with adults and children. All in all, as a complete novice I wouldn't recommend you put yourself in the position of having to deal with possible pecking. Its unpleasant for you and the bird and more than once you will read stories of people having to rehome polands.

 

Having said all that, I'd get yourself along to some local breeders and see what they have. Keep going till you find the birds and breed(s) you fall for

 

Sorry for the long post

[daxigirl]

They and you will be fine. Mine only come out to FR when I'm around for the just in case moments that arise.

 

I too have foxes in the area but touch wood things seem to be ok. I have some wood shuttering around the outside of the run (right round the skirt bit) initially to keep the chippings in but it also stops anybody getting near enough to dig as they would only get the skirt .

 

I have a clear glass tarp right over the run and down both sides to keep the girls nice and dry and out of the wind, I believe that you need to try and keep frizzles and polands dry but I'm sure someone more experienced with them will be able to advise you.

 

Don't be put off and get the ones that you fancy, I know I did.

[pips_pekins]

Hi. Thanks for the responses. You are right to say you will know what you want when you see them as that is what has left me confused. I never considered chickens until I saw silkies a few years ago and I have had to work on OH since then until he has finally broken! Now ready to get chickens, we went to a poultry centre where they have silkies and saw pekins which we both fell in love with.

 

Not seen any but now feel it is best to aspire to polish when I get my second eglu

 

Another breed I have read about is the sussex bantams. Might they be ok with silkies? They also seem to have the benefit of being good layers but not sure whether I have made this bit up!

 

Book is ordered!

 

Thanks again.

[Tweety]

As has been suggested by Plum, I would get a good book and do some research, and then go and have a look at some different breeds to help you decide. If you live anywhere near Shropshire, I would recommend a visit to the Wernlas Collection where you will see a wonderful variety of rare breeds, large and small.

 

I have a mixture of hybrids and pure breeds, including 4 Frizzle bantams, one of whom has some silkie in her, and they are delightful little characters. They do need shelter, but other than that I have found them very easy to look after.

 

Good luck - you will love having chooks!

[Daphne]

Sussex will be fine with pekins and silkies and they are pretty good layers - sometimes they go broody, which can be a good thing or a nuisance depending on whether you want to hatch. I'd say they are an excellent choice

[scarlettohara]

I have pekins, frizzles and flat and I love them If it's raining they stay in the dry - they're not stupid. I've had less problems healthwise than with my hybrids. I know a good breeder of pekins and frizzles if you get stuck

[Redwing]

You can get frizzle feathered versions of Silkies, pekins and a few other breeds. Pekins are good first chooks, they are pretty much bombproof and big characters

 

Frizzles are an actual breed in their own right, they are nice birds and have the benefit of not having feathery legs (which can get really grubby!) they are relatively rare though

 

Bear in mins that anything frizzle feathered, silkie feathered or crested need a properly sheltered run as they will feel the cold and wet more accutely

 

Sussex bantams are very nice as are other heavy breed bantams such as Wyandottes and Orpingtons - getting heavier breeds means you'd have to have fewer though as they are quite a bit bigger than the little ones

 

If you are looking for good layers then Sussex, leghorn, Rhode Island red, new Hampshire Reds and Minorca bantams are among the best bets but most pure breed chooks give up laying for much if not all of the winter

 

A good breed book will help, David Scriveners Popular Poultry Breeds is a good book. If you cant get to the Wernlas Collection then take a look at therir website for info and also the breed section on Omlet itself of course!

 

At this time of year you may be limited in your choice but do be careful of who you get the chooks from. Once you have done some research and know what you are looking for then add a post here with your rough location asking for local recommendations of breeders - thats a far safer bet than going out as a novice and ending up with problems

 

All the best!

[soapdragon]

Hello, so glad you have made THE DECISION! You won't regret it!

 

We have three Light Sussex Bantams because:

 

A) My husband kept chickens as a child and the friendliest and most home loving by far were this breed

B) We have quite a small garden and were advised thet Light Sussex are not as destructive as some ( we have since realised that this is possibly duff advice!!! )

C) They seem to love being handled and, as we have two small boys, this is what we wanted - the eggs are a wonderful bonus!

 

They all three have their own characters; Kiev is neurotic and is very shy (maybe giving the lie to A) above!) whilst Korma is relaxed and happy all the time and loves being cuddled. Casserole, however, definately suffers from irritable fowl syndrome and, whilst she is always the inquisitive one and first in the line for treats, its always on her own terms although she seems to enjoy being picked up too!

 

Why not try and find a breeder who has a number of breeds that you can look at and possibly handle - you'll probably find that your chooks choose you!

 

Good luck - don't forget to post when you have made your choice!

Korma

Kiev

Casserole

[Chortle Chook]

I would certainly suggest you get a mix of breeds just for the fun of it and don't start at your maximum capacity because you are bound to want more in a month or so.

If you are not fussed about the eggs and priarily want pets to coddle, I would suggest starting with the more docile breeds either going for c3 bigger girls such as Opringtons or c6 smaller chooks. I have Silkies, a Poland frizzle and another sort of Frizzle. They are not as small as some of the real bantams and they are all really lovable and make a nice, happy little group. Only this afternoon I had one on my lap at a time, in the kitchen, while I dried their feathers with the hair dryer so they should not go to bed with wet 'hair'. Not one of them got in a flap - just looked around and made nice little noises. The Silkies have been giving me eggs all this winter too.

 

Let us know what you get, won't you. Hearing about other Omletteers getting chooks is the next best thing to getting more myself (a no no )

[Space Chick]

You've had some great advice so far, I'm going to add my thoughts

 

Pekins are fab personalities and are quite robust, however, they are more prone to broodiness than some other bantams like Sussex bantams or Rhode islands red bantams.

 

I wouldn't recommend silkies or anything frizzled unless you have a Walk in run, you need a proper roof for them in my opinion, as they really dont like getting wet!

 

Brahma bantams are another lovely breed, but with these and pekins you have feathered feet to worry about. Also Wyandotte bantams are lovely and look like "proper" chickens

[madchickenlady]

You neeed pekins. You neeeeeeeeed pekins.....

[Space Chick]

Not that you are biased or anything

[mollyripkim]

I'm a bit biased as I always wanted silkies and now have five lovely girls, they are very chatty, very friendly, love a cuddle and are still laying even now. I have a Go and have just ordered the extended run to give them more room for when it's wet as they do need to be kept dry so the run is completely covered. It's really exciting though so have fun whatever you get.

[pips_pekins]

Thank you all for your advice. Mollyripkim this may be a stupid question but what do you use to cover your run? I have ordered cube plus run and will need to do the same as you if I get silkies.

[mollyripkim]

We moved the run around the garden all summer with the shades on but it didn't keep them dry so we have moved them onto the patio and use easibed or cosibed in the run which I change about every 5 to 6 weeks. The run is completely covered with a clear tarpaulin, bought on Internet, it's not that thick so will prob only last a year as we secured it with cable ties. Then we used plastic lawn edging to keep the bedding in place, agained secured with cable ties. First time it rained was a disaster as the water seeped in underneath and everything was soaked so we started again and now the bottom is also lined and I put diatom powder and hen house powder down before the bedding. I think it's a good solution for the winter but will move them back to grass in the summer. I did post pictures but not sure how to find them again. Hope that helps. Good luck.

[pips_pekins]

Thanks Mollyripkim. That is really useful. I hadn't even thought about the bottom but don't they scratch at it :-S ? Oh dear I hope we can cope!

[mollyripkim]

Not so far but don,t think it would be strong enough longer term but will work for the winter.

[pips_pekins]

Just found your photos of the run. I can see what you mean now. Good idea. Your girls are gorgeous. Definitely want silkies now. Thank you for your help.

[mollyripkim]

Thats ok, look forward to seeing pictures of your girls whatever you decide to go for.

[Chortle Chook]

The truth is we all have our favourite breeds amongst those we have and then have an additional 'short' list of favourite breeds for 'next time'

 

My Silkies FR all over my garden all day long, and when it is wet they go underneath their hen house which is raised up on little mushroom things. (It came from New Barn Timber). I have also seen a bus shelter type thing on Flytes of Fancy which a kind OH could probably knock up in no time. The trouble is my chooks still get very wet when they go in amongst the wet plants.

[pips_pekins]

The NBT houses are lovely. I have ordered a cube which has space under it and won't be able to let them FR unless supervised. I have found loads of suggestions for covering the run to make it more waterproof for them. Will pop to DIY places at weekend to check out plastic sheeting and wood chip!

 

This chicken keeping is great fun and I have still to find some suitable birds

 

Not having much luck with that btw. I am in Bedfordshire and near to herts and bucks. Have tried Thornes in Letchworth but they only have hybrids available and it seems due to a revamp they might not have any pure breeds until much later in the year. So any suggestions as to where to try would be appreciated.

[Tweety]

There is a breeder's directory in Practical Poultry magazine which might help you find a local breeder.

[Chortle Chook]

This chicken keeping is great fun and I have still to find some suitable birds

Not having much luck with that btw.

Have you tried looking on the Omlet breeds area? It has fab descriptions of all the different kinds of birds and people place adds on there too for available birds. Otherwise vets and animal food supply places are a useful source of private ads. I confess that my Silkies came from a garden centre (Notcutts).