Locking Bar Eglu Classic

[witzend]

did wonder that - I've yet to see any in the 'flesh' but I thought I'd seen picks of silkies mixed with other hens

 

NO matter - don't want to put it in harms way...........I'd have to stick with 3

[Chicken Kitty]

All Wyandottes are gorgeous! so many colours and all so lovely

 

This is my lad Jack, he is a barred Wyandotte bantam

 

 

Confusingly sometimes the name of the colour does apply to the ground colour - silver laced, buff laced and gold laced all denote the ground colour not the lace colour

 

Jack is beautiful!!

I'm off to read up about Wyandotte bantams now!

[poppy ben grace]

I love wyandottes! Havent got any (or any room for more hens! ). i actually had a dream about them last night, very strange! Look forward to seeing what you decide upon, good luck!

[Tweety]

Good choices! I have a blue laced Wyandotte big girl, with beautiful colouring and a very placid nature. I also have a partridge Wyandotte bantam that gets many compliments for her gorgeous feathering, and she is equally easy going. You can't go wrong with a Dotte, and Barnevelders are definitely on my wish list - you will have a lovely mixture there!

[witzend]

cheers - are silkies out then - too small for the others?? x

[Tweety]

I'm not sure that there would be enough room in the eglu for a fourth, apart from the size issue! A mature Wyandotte is a big girl, and the other two breeds are fairly substantial too.

[witzend]

can't wait to start seeing some of my options close up - better for decision-making process!!!

[Tweety]

I don't want to put a spanner in the works, but thought I had better mention that all 3 of your choices have a tendency to broodiness. My two Wyandottes are the most consistent broodies out of my flock, and the breed info about Barnevelders and Araucanas mentions that characteristic too, so it may be something you need to consider.

Sorry!

[witzend]

cheers my barnvelder info says it isnt' but - either way - spanner has been chucked into the works. I visited some who breeds lots of types and realised that my 'standard' size for a chicken = bantam!!!!

 

There doesn't seem many I like that AREN'T a bit broody!

 

So - wyandotte bantam - starting point

Silkie

 

What other breeds have bantam types???

[Jools]

I have bantam sized Sussex, RIR and Marans. So they'd be my three.

 

The Sussex (Silver and Light) are great egg layers and even better broodies and mums - here's Mrs White with this year's chicks

 

 

Cuckoo Marans are my favourites, probably because they were my first and also because they have such a lovely voice, chattering away softly to themselves. Mine have all been great layers of deep brown eggs and have no interest whatsoever in motherhood. (Dixie 3 is on the right in this photo)

 

 

My Rhode laid well for a couple of years and again has never been broody. I love the colour of her and will be hatching more next year.

 

[witzend]

FAB - glad there's SOME choice!!! Maran may well be back on my list

 

Anyone got Araucana - full/bantam size?? Need to try and find white and/or blue eggs!!!

 

Anyone know of a breeder specialising in light fowl/bantams/siklies etc - I will need to try and get 3 at the same time and would ideally like them all from the same place

 

x

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I had a lovely Columbine called Maisie (sadly pts two weeks ago - 2 days after this photo was taken ). She laid lovely green eggs (and was never once broody!)

 

[ZoeBunny]

Not too sure where you are...

 

Have a look on here for local breeders

http://www.poultry.allotment.org.uk/poultry-suppliers/index.php

[witzend]

lancs but will travel!

[Jools]

Have you come across Goosegirly (Donna) on any of the other forums? She has a website but I don't know how up to date it is. She's near Leyland and if she doesn't have the breeds you're looking for, the chances are she'll know someone who does. Try contacting her through her website - you never know.

[witzend]

LOL - I've LITERALLY found her on the web. Just waiting for site to load and came back to check messages!!! I'll have a chat!! x

[witzend]

Have you come across Goosegirly (Donna) on any of the other forums? She has a website but I don't know how up to date it is. She's near Leyland and if she doesn't have the breeds you're looking for, the chances are she'll know someone who does. Try contacting her through her website - you never know.

 

Can't reach her - anyone got a number that works?

[Jools]

I don't have a contact number but she's active on the Practical Poultry forum so you could try her there.

[witzend]

finally got hold of her (diff number than on web!) -she seems to have EVERYTHING I might want and is only 10 minutes away!!! Going to see her over the w/end YAY!

[witzend]

How's this for a mix:

 

Bantam Wyandotte

Bantam Maran

Aracauna

Polish Crested................how do these fair in our damp/wet weather!!! (covered run)

 

Getting there...........sloooooooooowly!

[Jools]

Glad you're nearly there

 

Just one little dampener on your plans though .... Polands aren't a great choice to mix with other breeds as their hairdos mean they have restricted vision so they tend to get picked on. Most breeders will advise you to keep a group of Polands separately.

 

Other than that .... try not to come away with 27 chooks!

[Redwing]

I wouldnt go for a poland either - so,e people have them in a mixed flock ok but its not worth the risk

 

The other three are good choices though

 

Donna is lovely too

[witzend]

it's all being taken on board! Not sure what happened to a previous post that I THOUGHT I'd made !

 

Would still like a silky but am bothered about their broodiness

 

I read somewhere that you can put a stone/false egg down so they can sit on something - does this help?

 

What's the problems with a broody hen/silkie??

[Lavenders_Blue]

Yes you can put a pot egg down but with a bird with broody tendancies this will only encourage her! She won't be bothered whether it is false or not and will quite happily brood it.

Broody birds, besides not laying eggs whilst they are broody, can lose condition if you are not vigilant. They can become so focussed on brooding that they may neglect their own need for food and drink. They also tend to hog the nest box, getting in the way of others!

[sparkysmum]

I would perhaps be careful about the araucana. My araucana (2yrs+) def doesn't like my little sablepoots. Very pecky. Can't be together at all.