lindafw Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 No 3 has died. Number one lasted a couple of months Emma, Number two Ethel turned into a cockeral, Number 3 (the one with the funny 'turned around onto her back head' has finally succumbed I refused to give her a name as I didn't expect her to last..but she got the title of stoooopid! (these three I got last may...no blue eggs yet) Number 4 looks like a boy (ish) but doesn't act like one or crow so he is still with us ...and number 5 (a replacement for number 2) Known as sweet pea is tiny and probably a bantam mix. I think perhaps I will look for a hardier blue egg layer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Sorry to hear about your araucana ladies. My arucana will be 3 in April or thereabouts and is as tough as old boots. Still lays the most gorgeous blue eggs, although her laying season is quite short. Is evil to some of my others but Cheeky the light sussex we raised from a day old sorted her out. Maybe a blue egg laying hybrid might be more hardy. Hope you find the right one for you. Alli x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindafw Posted February 26, 2012 Author Share Posted February 26, 2012 Thanks Ali...Chalk Hill poultry have bred a blue laying hybrid...they are about an hour from me...they sell aracanas too...dangerous place to visit www.chalkhillpoultry.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Had a peek. The chalkhill blue looks stunning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Where did you get them from and how old when they died? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Strange as Araucanas are usually pretty hardy and all mine have lived well into old age (Dolly was 6 when she finally pegged it). I'm sorry to hear that... better luck next time. LBB has one which is at that stage when it looks like it could be a boy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eve Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 i have a columbine hybrid lays a lovely blue egg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Strange as Araucanas are usually pretty hardy and all mine have lived well into old age (Dolly was 6 when she finally pegged it). I'm sorry to hear that... better luck next time. LBB has one which is at that stage when it looks like it could be a boy I'm thinking of changing it's name to Merlin if it is a boy - OH is concerned i might hatch little Frans. Now they would be tough blue egg layers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 That's a great name - you should know in the next couple of weeks if the warm and light weather keeps up. I got the feeling that OH wasn't as enthusiastic about a cockerel as you were If you need a broody to hatch any fertile eggs then Lavinia would happily offer her services; she lives for brooding and rearing babies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Perfect I'll shall breed blue egg laying guard chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 the idea of a cross between Fran The Evil and a gobby araucana makes me feel quite pale! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I got my two aracaunas who lay eggs every day in the summer from Wyle Valley chickens which isn't a mile away from you if you want to look there. Both have been very healthy (fingers crossed) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmastar Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I have one girl and she has never given me any problems and is laying a stunning blue egg each day , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JS1 Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 I have two araucanas - got around a year ago and they're probably around 18 months now. Roadrunner is one of my most reliable layers - sweet little blue green egg. Only problem was she tried to go broody a few times last year, but was, erm, dissuaded by having her under-carriage thoroughly aerated. Agnes lays a shiny blue green egg and just started laying again a few days ago. Would definitely recommend the breed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
