Minnie&Moose Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Having lost 3 chickens in the the last 3 months (all to different causes) the hen pen is looking very empty so we've all succumbed to the dreaded Morehens disease. As usual the youngest member of the household has come up with a 'wishlist' that he's convinced will provide the necessary cure. Top of his list is a Vorwerk so I'm curious to know from Vorwerk owners what these beautiful hens are really like. Our hens range behind an electric fence but we have lots of foxes passing through the garden during the day so it's important that the hens remain safely behind the fence! We've previously had a leghorn who always remained the right side of the fence but she was tame, friendly, cuddly and sensible (for a hen) and obviously hadn't read the 'how to be a leghorn' manual. I guess what I'm asking is how likely is a Vorwerk to fly out and get herself eaten? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kit Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 http://gardenhens.web.officelive.com/default.aspx Hi The above lady sells vorverk so I'm guessing she could advise you. Kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dixie chick Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 I have a lovely Vorwerk and she is the only one to manage to fly/leap over the 4ft fence. She is a fiesty little madam though - the only one to have face-offs with the dog - and he is the one who runs away! Great personality , friendly - and apparently a very hardy breed too. Would thoroughly recommend them - (and their plumage is stunning too!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 They are very nice, not massively flighty for a light breed but quite lively Very friendly and great personalities too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 My sister has the most lovely natured vorwerk cockerel called Roy. He must be 4 or 5 years old now - lovely looking too. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie&Moose Posted June 21, 2011 Author Share Posted June 21, 2011 Thanks for your replies folks - Vorwerks sound like lovely birds as well as being stunning looking. Sounds like we might be able to go for one and resort to wing clipping if needs be. Our Welsummer's a lively little bird and our leghorn, who we all miss, was always on the go, so it would be good to have another 'busy' girl out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 My Vorwerk has in the past cleared 8 ft from a standing start and 12 ft from a running start. She also panics and often goes into alarm call mode as soon as you go anywhere near her even though we've had her for over two years. Plus, she's only just started to eat corn out of your hand without having a panic attack Believe me, it's not through lack of trying either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie&Moose Posted June 21, 2011 Author Share Posted June 21, 2011 Thanks for the warning abwsco - clearing 8ft from a standing start is a bit of a worry. Might have to rethink - don't fancy coming home to a chicken perched on the garden wall, or worse still, a pile of feathers at the bottom of the wall. Does your Vorwerk have a clipped wing by any chance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 i dont own this breed nor have i but i know a fair few people who love them all breeds can be flighty it depends on the bird itselfs not so much on the breed you get them in bantam and in large fowl they lay fairly well and from the right stock there amazing to look at if you want any eggs then PM me and ill give you contact details for a supplier whos stock are brilliant he sells eggs (from a fair few breeds) at £1 an egg but im sure ill get you them for 50p an egg hes a good bloke aswell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 When i kept chickens, i used to have two. They we're lovely birds, very, very nosey and always where i was trying to trip me up If i ever keep chickens again Vorwerks would definatly be on my list Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie&Moose Posted June 22, 2011 Author Share Posted June 22, 2011 Well, we've decided to go for it, so I'll be collecting a Vorwerk, a Light Sussex and a Leghorn in about 10 days, to join our current 3. Time to get the spare eglu out and set up the quarantine area again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 be prepaired for a bit of fighting to get the pecking order right but they will be fine once you mix them do it at night put the 3 new ones in as late at night as poss before you put then in put some viniger on your hands touch both your girls then the other 3 also then put them on the perch (so they all smell the same) then in the morning be ready for a few pecks here and there but apart from that they will be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
