3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[Duncan08]

I am thinking out loud now but tell me what you think.

 

After reading the Breeds and Breeders thread, I would like a couple or 3 banties. Its my birthday in a couple of months so.......

Our local breeder has Pekins and Bantam Chocolate Orps.

 

She sells them as 6-12 weeks and 12 weeks and older?

 

Whilst there is tonnes of information on real babies I am struggling to find out much information on looking after 6-12 wo as opposed to POL. As (in theory) it is coming up to summer, I guess they should be off heat but is a 6-12 week old a chicken yet? and do they have special requirements, other than growers pellets?

 

Also, is it possible to sex Pekins / Chocolate Orps by 6-12 weeks? (And if they cant be, just how loud is a little bantie Pekin boy? Would love a little boy if I could sneak one in )

 

So next question, would love to eventually integrate them with my other 5, (Gingernut, Pepperpot, Bluebell, Arucana, Vorwerk) but also know that this might never happen. Pekins seem to be fiesty girls who would seem to have the best chance of an integration, what about a chocolate orp, would she be likely to hold her own or do you think I would be best to stick with the Pekins?

 

I have read that they will need a covered run and to be kept dry which is fine, (found a lovely little woooden coop that would suit if they don't get on) and was thinking a trio would be nice again just in case they never fully integrate.

If they do integrate the big girls have a large WIR and an outdoor play area so they would be OK in there.

 

Just not really sure about this age thing, would like to try some younger girls but dont want to get it wrong.

 

Thank you

 

(By the way, you may well have read my ealier post of long term plans of 6/8 girls and adding each year-it is just so tempting, just love chickens )

[Snowy]

From my experience with pekins recently, I know that: pekins are quite easy to sex from an early age, 6 - 12 weeks would be fine. Orps are difficult but I don't know the age that they can be sexed at.

Pekin boys are supposed to be as loud as big boys. The girls are certainly as loud!

Mine were 6 - 8 weeks when I got them. I kept them in a dog crate in the greenhouse for a couple of weeks to start with (door open and a cardboard box to roost in) They are at the age where they can be hardened to the outdoors so it will only be a few weeks where they will need a bit of extra shelter. I'm sure someone will know better - i just played it by ear, it was August and the nights were reasonably warm still. I had them on growers pellets until they were about 20 weeks.

I struggled when I tried to integrate mine - older bigger hybrids with young little pekins just wasn't going to work. Older feisty pekins with young hybrids would be a better intro. I believe orps can be very docile so even easier to bully. I gave in and will keep mine seperate. I got mine a little wooden hutch and wire run, until I managed to get hold of a bargain eglu for them They definitely don't like being on grass, unless it's for short periods to free range. Their little fluffy feet get covered in mud balls! I've covered their eglu run and keep them on aubiose.

[dance in the dark]

12 weeks and older would be absolutely fine of heat. By about 12 weeks they are full on teenagers but I think POL is about the time you can say they are adult.

 

6 weeks in this weather might be ok to let LF chicks off heat, but I don't know if this should be changed for bantams.

 

I would suggest, if you can get them at 12 weeks, keep them on growers for a month of two and that will be fine. They will be off heat, capable of perching, and perfectly easy to take care of.

 

Tim

[sjp]

they only really differance in looking after 6 -12 week olds and POL's is the feeding at about 6 weeks old they start to get fed growers pellet/mash my broody raised chicks normally get to fend for themselves anywere from 6 week old to 12 weeks old depending on the broody

[Duncan08]

Oh dear I'm awfully tempted, found a coop with a covered run that would be perfect for three, and would even fit nicely in the existing outdoor run, (once quarantine is over). So they could mix with the others without ever being picked on.

My mum has even said she will buy it for me for my birthday.

 

Oh dear, think I will give the breeder a ring tomorrow and see what they have coming up over the next couple of months or I suppose I could drop her an email now......

[Redwing]

To me a chick is a chick until it becomes a grower then point of lay pullet then just a pullet, then after a year a hen

 

Pekins are easy to sex and a good breeder should be capable of sexing the orps by 6/8 weeks

 

Personally I'd try and get them at 8 weeks plus as the 5/6 week stage is a little tricky as they change feeds, come off heat etc.. you really want them eating growers pellets and used to being outside before you get them

 

Bear in mind they will possibly have been raised in a shed to that point so may not be used to going in to a coop to roost so plan the puchase for a stage where you will be home each evening to encourage them to bed

[Duncan08]

Thanks Redwing, I have asked what they have over the next few weeks for 8-12 weeks, I agree there is too many changes going on at the 5-8 weeks stage.

I had my Lavendar Arucana and Vorwerk from the same breeder and she does raise them in sheds, will take a couple of days off at first.

Will put the run outside my living rooms window for the first few weeks before I move them into the big girls outdoor run so I can keep a close eye on them too.

Also prepared that they may never mix well, couple of my oldies are terrible narks, although I think my Vorwerk would enjoy their company, she's a gentle thing. In the longer term I might split the outdoor area but we are a long way off that yet.

 

Thank you so much everyone, haven't actually told hubby yet, just sort of hinted