Uma Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 Hi all, I have had my chooks for two years now (Three lovely girls, a light sussex, a Bluebell and a Road/Black Rock). However we are thinking of adding to them after the national poultry show in Scotland. We live on the west coast of scotland and as much as I would really love some silkies I am worried that the weather here is perhaps not very god for them (thinking wet, damp and cold feet!). Any advice? Also does anyone keep scots dumpies as my dh really likes them from photos and reading, but we don't know anyone with first hand expereince. Many thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 Welcome to the forum . Sparkysmum lives in Dunblane and has Scots Dumpies. I'll alert her to your post . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 Hello Uma & a big Scots welcome from me too I looooooove Silkies but personally I feel that our climate is simply too harsh for them. I think if you have a very large covered area, eg a barn, stables etc and you can keep them dry in the winter they will be fine . As far as I know they just don't thrive in the cold and damp. Now Scots Dumpies are completely different They have good thick feathering and are low to the ground. The feathering protects from rain and their short legs give them a low centre of gravity and can therefore deal with the wind.They are lovely birds. Docile and gentle. One of mine is still laying despite the very short days. They are hardy birds and I think fairly resistant to disease. I wouldn't be without mine If I can find any photies I'll post a couple. I should have said I have 2, one black and the other cuckoo. You are welcome to come and see them any time Every time I see or hear of someone getting silkies I do think "if only" but for me it's just not worth it. Our garden is exposed and the wind & rain batters down & I'm just not convinced that silkies would thrive . I don't have to worry about the dumpies at all they're just happy to be out there being chickens. These are only my views & I appreciate that other Scots chicken keepers may feel differently Alli x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 I am going to get some Silkies but I do have an area that can stay dry even when it rains heavily and I have also found some local people who breed them (but I cannot get any from them until the spring). So I am planning to go to the Show in the hope I can get large fowl. I am afraid I have become totally obsessed about getting them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uma Posted November 25, 2011 Author Share Posted November 25, 2011 Thank you all!! I have been lurking for two years, so its good to finally post! You have confirmed what I felt, that silkies are just not right for our situation, we do get a lot of rain and wind. Ours free range and although we do have stables I wouldn't feel comfortable confining them. Hmmm lots of thinking to do then. Introductions is also going to be fun...we don't as yet, have another run for the newbies (if we get some). Was looking for a cheap option but as yet haven't found anything. We currently have the cube and extension so they would be eventually going in there, but I don't want too much fighting if I can prevent it. My girls are complete pets-one of them gets recurrent peritonitis and had a bronchial infection in the summer so has been to the vets more times than I can count. Although she is now back crouching and laying and seeming happy, so TLC and £££'s of vet bills can pay off! Thank you for such a lovely welcome. Uma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 Welcome to the forum Uma Scots Dumpies are very nice little things, very characterful. As they are a short legged breed they carry the creeper gene which can cause problems if two short legged ones are bred together so usually breeders will have long legged ones. As its the short legged ones that are used for showing you'll find that breeders will sell off long leg ones once they have selected next years breeding stock so keep an eye out for them - they are every bit as lovely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreaT Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 I've got a long legged Scots Dumpie, she's very chatty and friendly although she hasn't started laying yet! These were taken just after the girls arrived so her comb is a lot redder now. I got her from Dounes near Stirling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 Our Dumpies are the typical short legged type. Here they are as babies. They are so much bigger now - must take some photies. Ax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 Aww, they're all cute, short or long-legged . I'm starting to feel it's our duty, as Scottish Omleteers, to own Scots Dumpies . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 Or Scots Greys - they are very nice too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 Funnily enough I was wondering if I might squeeze in a Grey or two............well I did wonder and then common sense took over.......for the moment I'm starting to feel it's our duty, as Scottish Omleteers, to own Scots Dumpies . I just kinda feel it makes sense.....we need hardy chicks for our horrid winters. Alli x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 AndreaT your long legged Scots Dumpie is stunningly pretty sparkysmum yours are lovely too but I've seen ones like this in books, never seen the colour of AdreaT's before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreaT Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 Thanks CC. I don't think she's supposed to be that colour! If you read up on colouring the white ones should have no black in them at all, now that mines finished her mini moult she has even more speckles and a black stripe around one side of her neck. I don't mind at all though, I think she looks pretty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uma Posted November 30, 2011 Author Share Posted November 30, 2011 Beautiful chickies! Andrea-you are not too far from us, we are in East Ayrshire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
