Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[grracee]

We are really missing our hens and are thinking about getting a couple more just as garden pets. I have been thinking about either pekins or orpington bantams. Just wondering whether anyone can give me any info on them and was just wondering whether they make much noise and if they like being handled much? Many thanks

[fluffy chick]

Don't know about orps but I have 4 pekins and they are sooo sweet. They make a softer clucking noise than my old hybrids some people say more like guinea pigs! Having said that one of my pekin girls does a pretty good cock-a-doodle do so I think it's down to the individual tbh.

 

They are always broody, only lay a few tiny eggs but are just lovely and I will always have some in my flock. They are dead friendly and even let my 2 yr old stroke them.

 

Get pekins!

[Plum]

I've got both. The pekin caws rather than clucks but not terribly noisy just a daft sound. The orp just makes a normal chicken noise but not much but can make quite a noise if she tries really hard.

Pekin is cheeky, comical and easy to pick up but doesn't like it, much happier to peck at your feet and run round you. The orp is very,very shy and hard to pick up but lovely when you do and happy to sleep on your lap.

 

Why not get a mix

[loumabel]

My two pekins are adorable, very friendly and sweet. Like the previous post said they do tend to go broody at the drop of a hat and one of mine has been broody since the end of April and is still stubbornly remaining that way. They are very comical little chooks and even though they are the smallest amongst my other bantams they have big personalities and always muscle to the front of the queue when treats are being dished out! I would recommend them and they look very pretty scratching about on the lawn but don't expect too many eggs.

[fluffy chick]

I have one pekin that darts under the feet of the cochins to get treats then runs off with it