Cat tunnels for catio wanted

[heth1986]

Oh my goodness, could this decision be made any more difficult?!

 

I'd pretty much decided that I'd be best re-homing my silkies with someone wanting a couple of VERY broody girls (they'd do a good job!) and getting a couple of LF Australorps seeing as I hadn't yet heard of one that could fly too high, but of course there had to be one!

 

How much effect does a clipped wing actually have? I'll reiterate that my fences are only 3-4 feet high and I don't want angry neighbours so this is quite an important factor in my decision making.

 

Oh I wish the silkies were just better layers, they're such a pleasure to keep and they're so easy! I don't have to worry about them escaping, the dog keeps them safe, they're so good and lovely and quite, surely there must be an egg laying version. Argh!

[Chortle Chook]

I have silkies with Polands and they get on well. I also think they make a very pretty combination if not exactly work free as Polands do need quite a bit of TLC. However, I can't say that my Polands are good egg layers. I have read in books that they are supposed to be good, but on here I have heard it said they are 'too posh to push' and my pretty girls certainly fall into that category. what are they?

 

Personally I would not mix hybrids with Silkies as hybrids can be bullies and Silkies are so docile that they make easy victims. Polands would make even easier victims. So if you want a constant supply of eggs - but only enough for you and your OH, then I'd recommend increasing your flock with two or more of another docile breed (I also have frizzles, but orps or aussies would do well) so that they can, as it were, take it turns to supply your egg requirements.

[heth1986]

Thanks CheakyChook,

I'd had a look at Polands but my OH laughed when I showed him a picture Also like you said, the egg laying situation begins again. It's a shame because when Betty and Jammy decide to lay, they don't half churn them out it's just so rare that they have a productive spurt!

We'd considered bantam aussie's and keeping the silks but again, someone suggested that they're actually quite good flyers due to their smaller size. Here started my thoughts on LF, but then I'm worried about Betts and Jam getting picked on, hence the thought to re-home them and stick with the LF Australorps?

Well, either that or get a couple of layers and keep them in the coop but that seems a massive shame if I could have something free-ranging!

[chestnutmare]

Thanks CheakyChook,

I'd had a look at Polands but my OH laughed when I showed him a picture Also like you said, the egg laying situation begins again. It's a shame because when Betty and Jammy decide to lay, they don't half churn them out it's just so rare that they have a productive spurt!

We'd considered bantam aussie's and keeping the silks but again, someone suggested that they're actually quite good flyers due to their smaller size. Here started my thoughts on LF, but then I'm worried about Betts and Jam getting picked on, hence the thought to re-home them and stick with the LF Australorps?

Well, either that or get a couple of layers and keep them in the coop but that seems a massive shame if I could have something free-ranging!

 

I was just going to ask about a seperate coop for hybrids. They'll be fine as long as they have enough space, you could also put up Omlet fencing if you wanted to give them some sort of free-ranging, to stop them getting near/over garden walls. If you want your garden to stay pristine then you don't really want hybrids free-ranging . You could keep your silkies too then if you could afford to buy more housing.

[heth1986]

I don't think we're really got room for another coop to be honest, it's just your typical urban garden with the end fenced off for them, I let them into the rest of the garden when I'm home so it's generally a few hours a day at least when I'm at work but their area is plenty big enough anyway.

 

How well does wing clipping work? I guess if I bought a calm-ish bantam or 2 and clipped a wing this could work? Or does it not work as well as I'm hoping?

 

Sorry to go on about it everyone, I struggle to make a decision at the best of times!

[chestnutmare]

I don't think we're really got room for another coop to be honest, it's just your typical urban garden with the end fenced off for them, I let them into the rest of the garden when I'm home so it's generally a few hours a day at least when I'm at work but their area is plenty big enough anyway.

 

How well does wing clipping work? I guess if I bought a calm-ish bantam or 2 and clipped a wing this could work? Or does it not work as well as I'm hoping?

 

Sorry to go on about it everyone, I struggle to make a decision at the best of times!

 

No worries, I'm the same - indecisive! As for wing clipping, I've never had two of the same chicken to test it out. But my Columbine cleared netting with a clipped wing, Obviously she'd have found it easier unclipped.

 

What bantams are you thinking of getting? I assumed you were getting hybrids for eggs.

 

I have a small garden (and it slopes!) but if I could make a flat area on the lawn I could fit an Eglu and run on there (not that I've thought about it much, of course! ).

[Redwing]

Orpington or Wyandotte bantams may be an idea

 

orps arent the best layers but the bantams seem better than the LF

 

Some colours of Wyandottes are more lively than others, the buff and blue laced seem more sedate

 

Or maybe Pekins, they stay close to the ground and arent bad layers

 

I think your requirements of good layers/not too lively are probably at odds with each other, just increasing your hen numbers will give you the chance of more eggs obviously though so 4 poor layers may be the best you can expect

 

If eggs are your main prority then you'd possibly have to look at getting other breeds but fencing them in. Birds that wouldnt clear a 3ft fence are few and far between sadly

[heth1986]

I was going with the Australorp theory because they seem to have a similar personality to the silkies, but with a better egg production rate and less broodiness! If I were to keep the silks then a bantam australorp or 2 (depending on suggested wing clipping effectivness!) or if i re-homed the silks then I was going to go for large fowl in the hope that they'd more than likely stop in the run, especially with a clipped wing.

 

I've just run the additional coop idea past my OH and he's not keen, to be fair to him he built the coop, fence etc for the silks (which he didn't really want in the first place) and did a really nice job of it so we loathe to clutter up the garden if that makes sense?! He's now quite enjoying keeping chucks, although still doesn't 'do poo' so I have to clean them out BUT I heard him talking to them the other day and singing 'lay a little egg for me!'

 

So yes, whilst I was considering a hybrid, I don't think it's work with the low fences and an australorp was the only decent layer I could find that was calm, friendly and reasonably flightless

 

Plus, I've just had a phone call from a friend saying she's looking for a couple of silkies so rehoming them really is an option as I wouldnt have to say goodbye propery!

[heth1986]

Thanks Redwing, I'll have another look at those breeds, I'm sure I'll make a decision one day!

[chestnutmare]

Well, it seems your only option is to re-home the silkies. If your friend can give them a good home then that's a step in that direction. Keep us updated with your decisions.

[Chortle Chook]

I would also say 're-home the silkies'. Silkies are like chicky bunnies - sweet and fluffy and meant to be pets rather than earners of their keep Any chooks that would go well with Silkies will also, alas for you, fall into this category. Once you have your newbies (whether hybrids or ex bats or whatever) I'm sure you'll love them every bit as much. Lots of people on here are very fond of their hybrids and get lots of too If I were to start again (and was allowed biggies and scratchers, which I'm not) I'd get me a Bluebell and an ex-Bat or two

 

I can't say much about the fence issue. I have a 7ft fence round the garden but only a diddy 3ft (if that) fence to keep my chooks off of the patio. Even though they all queue up at it when they feel it is time for treats, not one has ever attempted to fly over it. But then my chooks are all in the 'chicky bunny' camp and none are earnest egg layers. I suspect, as Redwing says, egg layers will fly and they are certainly scratchers.

 

For fun, here is my little boy queuing up at the little fence

[JS1]

If you didn't mind limiting their free-ranging you could get some Omlet fencing - we have electrified fencing and our bunch (mix of hybrids and pure breeds, including a white leghorn - whose wing is well and truly clipped ) and they rarely make a break for freedom. It might be good for your lawn to rotate them a bit too

[chestnutmare]

Cheaky Chook! I want your white frizzle, please send 1st class!

[Alis girls]

Bit like searching for the perfect man..............

[Chortle Chook]

Thanks, Chestnutmare I'd recommend Frizzles above all else . . . not that I'm biassed They are freeloaders at the moment though.

Alis girls, you are priceless

[Alis girls]

So I've been told many times

[chestnutmare]

Thanks, Chestnutmare I'd recommend Frizzles above all else . . . not that I'm biassed They are freeloaders at the moment though.

Alis girls, you are priceless

That's okay. I have my hybrids for eggs my future frizzles and all things small and pretty can be lazy.

[heth1986]

Ladies and gents, the decision has been made!

 

The silkies are to move house to a home where they can do what they're meant to do... brood and hatch lots of babies

 

I paid a visit to Pages Poulty yesterday, highly recommended by the way, she's absolutely lovely and so so helpful, even with someone as decisionless and helpless as me! I've reserved 2 black stars whose wings will be clipped and should I have any issues with them I'm going to put some netting around the edges of their FR area.

 

SO happy I've finally decided!

 

What's more... My OH is going to name his 'own' chicken... I knew he'd break soon enough, even if he did want the huge cochins!

[chestnutmare]

Ladies and gents, the decision has been made!

 

The silkies are to move house to a home where they can do what they're meant to do... brood and hatch lots of babies

 

I paid a visit to Pages Poulty yesterday, highly recommended by the way, she's absolutely lovely and so so helpful, even with someone as decisionless and helpless as me! I've reserved 2 black stars whose wings will be clipped and should I have any issues with them I'm going to put some netting around the edges of their FR area.

 

SO happy I've finally decided!

 

What's more... My OH is going to name his 'own' chicken... I knew he'd break soon enough, even if he did want the huge cochins!

Excellent. But why get 2 when you can get 3?

[heth1986]

Ha ha, don't start that one!

We're sticking with 2 for now to see how much of a mess they manage to make... don't forget I'm used to feather duster feet!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Well done on making the final decision - that's often the hardest part .

[Chortle Chook]

Well done for the decision but don't forget we'll need to see pictures of these perfect chickens when they arrive (Just like looking at other people's chooks even if it does make me )

[Cheeky Chooky]

Look forward to seeing some pics

[chestnutmare]

Yes, we will all be waiting for pictures!

[Millie-Annie]

sorry for the delay and I obviously just have a badly bahaved White Star. She completely rules the roost with my new ex-batts. She did have her wing clipped which slowed her down, but you still can't catch her and she still shouts and hollers all day every day. She did lay, but I rehomed her from next door as he culls his when they stop laying, so I can't really moan about that.

 

Not sure what else a Suffolk Noir is known as, but you have decided now anyway.

 

Found this if it is correct

 

http://www.poultrychat.com/forum/index.php?/topic/15295-hybrids-by-any-other-name/

 

anyone know if that is what else a Suffolk Noir is?