Is your dog's unusual barking a secret code for something mysterious?

[hinterglem]

I wonder whether I could solicit some recommendations for which breeds or hybrids would suit my situation?

 

I have a fairly large coop, with a fairly small run that has about 2.6 square metres of space (including the new mezzanine level I just built!). Our main priorities are:

 

1) Welfare of the chickens

2) Lots of eggs

3) Docile family pets

4) Nice looking

 

I understand I can only really fit 2 full size hens in that run (although I might be able to extend it to 3.6 square metres at a later date). Are hens ok in pairs? Or should I be looking at getting 3 Bantams? From what I have read, it would seem that Black Rock or Rhode Rock would be ideal, although I did read that they are not the prettiest birds.

[sparkysmum]

I'm afraid I'm not going to popular in saying this but I really don't think many large fowl birds cope well with being confined in smallish runs for long periods. Normally sociable birds can display less pleasant aspects of their character. So unless you were going to give them loads of free range time ie large chunks of the day, I would opt for bantams which will cope with confinement more easily. Bantams should be quite happy in a run that size provided you are able to put in perches, dustbath etc to keep them happy.

[hinterglem]

I'm afraid I'm not going to popular in saying this

Not at all! I would much rather know what I'm letting myself in for in advance rather than make a mistake now and regret it later. I already regret not doing a bit more research before buying the run, but there's nothing I can do about that now (I thought I was being generous by buying a 'double run' ).

 

With regards to free ranging, my lawn is about 10 square metres, and I can fence it off into 2 lots of 5 square metres, but I do need to allow the lawn to recover. I work from home and my office overlooks the garden, so with a well-placed mirror I will be able to keep an eye on them all day. The only limiting factor really is how much damage they will do to the lawn in the course of a day and whether it can recover if I keep swapping the fenced off sections (eg. 1 week on one half of the lawn, the next week on the other half).

 

So many variables! If we decide to take the 'safe' route and get bantams, are any particular bantam breeds particularly good layers/pets?

[Space Chick]

I agree, I made a decision to build a WIR within weeks of having a cube and run.... chickens like to move about and have things to do, large breeds do not react well to small spaces, however, in big runs you can afford less space per hen if there is enough entertainment... if that makes sense.

 

Therefore, I agree, 3 bantams is probably your best bet.

 

As for good layers, as pure breeds they will stop in the winter. However, there are lots of lovely bantam breeds that are lovely pets... I have some gorgeous wyandotte bantams and some silkies which are beautiful. Other options could be Rhode Island Red bantams, sussex bantams or even something like a Welsummer or Arucana bantam for a more interesting egg colour.

 

Good luck with whatever you decide

 

Where are you based, as maybe someone could recommend a breeder. I know a fantastic bantam breeder, but it depends where you are.

[Chortle Chook]

Just a thought - but have you considered getting just 2 Orpingtons? They are large (well ok, huge) girls so would suit your large house, but are a tad lazy so might suit your smaller run. Though I'm sure they'd love some daily free ranging I think they would be happy with you. They wouldn't have to be both buff coloured, as Orps come in some other colours too - black I think, and white, and even chocolate, I believe, though an Orp specialist might know more.

 

Oh - and they are lovely gentle girls who do not make too much of a mess in the garden.

[hinterglem]

Thank you so much for all the replies, you are all amazingly helpful

 

Where are you based, as maybe someone could recommend a breeder. I know a fantastic bantam breeder, but it depends where you are.

I'm in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. I could travel a little way if necessary - I was planning to go to Cambridge, but the breeder I had in mind doesn't have bantams.

 

Just a thought - but have you considered getting just 2 Orpingtons? They are large (well ok, huge) girls so would suit your large house, but are a tad lazy so might suit your smaller run.

Actually, I just dismissed Orps immediately when I found out they were large, as I assumed that meant they would be too big for my run. Might be worth taking another look...

[Cooks]

please dont get orps in a small run they are too big

 

i would aim for maybe 3 small bantams but look to extend you run in any way you can

[Lavenders_Blue]

Westaway Poultry in Rutland is not too far from you and I am pretty sure he keeps bantams. There is a website with contact phone number so you could call and check what bantams (if any) are in stock.

[Redwing]

Bantam Orpingtons would be ok

 

I'd also recommend three bantams, they'd be happier in that run than large fowl

 

As they are pure breeds they will stop laying over winter, buy now and you may not get eggs till spring! If the main priority is to have them as pets that doesnt matter so much

 

On the plus side, the choice is best at this time of year!

[MissMoo]

Just an idea but can't you get bantam orpingtons?? They would be a great mixure of docile small birds

We have a great breeder near me in Devon, but thats along way from you

[Cooks]

yes you can but they can still be bigger than other small bantams and with that small run its wise to not overstretch things

[sparkysmum]

I kept my 2 pekins in an extended eglu run ie 3 metres , for a while and they were quite happy. Once they discovered life outside they weren't so content but I wouldn't go for bigger hens than that. My sablepoots were also quite happy in an extended run but they also discovered the garden & haven't looked back I think if you're ladies are going to be in a run most of the day, then banties will cope best. Good luck Alli xx

[poppy ben grace]

Hi hinterglem, i live near peterborough! Anyway back to your question. Have you considered some pekin bantams? As they have feathery feet they tend not to destroy the garden as much as other breeds. This would mean you could let them out in your garden occasionally without it getting ruined, so at least they wouldnt be confined to their run all the time. I have some and they are really lovely, such characters. The eggs are smaller and they can go broody but so far mine have been ok. Hope you get sorted, you could always fence a small area off with netting to give them some extra room and stop them pooing on the bits of lawn your children play on, thats what i have done and it works a treat!

[hinterglem]

Wow, so many replies, thank you! Bantams it is then. I like the sound of Pekins. Space Chick kindly told me of a breeder in Northampton, but Rutland is even closer, and looking at the Westaway website, they seem to have Pekin bantams in a huge range of colours. We'll try and pay a visit today!

[poppy ben grace]

Great, have fun choosing! We will want to see pics of course...

[chestnutmare]

Have fun looking! And yes, please post pictures!

[hinterglem]

I phoned Westaway, and the chap said that he's winding down the business and retiring (for health reasons), so he doesn't have that many birds left. I asked roughly how many he had, and he said about 100!

 

So we went and chose 3 pekin bantams They are about 3 months old. He said we don't need to clip their wings as they won't fly away - is that right? Anyway, on with the pics!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Lavenders_Blue]

What super birds! I hope you hyave lots and lots of fun with them

It's a shame to hear that Westaway is winding down though, it's only a few miles from me.

[poppy ben grace]

Lovely, you dont waste time do you! They look just right in your coup, hope you have lots of fun with them.

[Space Chick]

They are beautiful

 

You shouldn't need to wing clip, but some can be OK flyers

[sootydog111]

your pekins are lovley ! i want some pekins but my grandad dosent like hens with featherd feet

[Chickvic]

Gorgeous - I have a real hankering for some pekins

[sparkysmum]

So glad you went for little ones. They look perfect!

Alli xx

[chestnutmare]

They are lovely, thanks for posting pics.

[Plum]

Congratulations they are lovely. My pekin flew up on top of 6ft high run when I first let her out. I didn't clip her wings and she's not flown up since. Ground is too interesting.