Is my pekin bantam male or female?

[Mwperry]

Hi everyone,

We kept chickens a few years ago, a couple of white Sussex, and RIR. We had a large garden at the time, but they were very noisy in the morning, if not let out at dawn. We now live in a small terraced house, in a small village, and would like to get a few chickens, both for eggs, and our kids to interact with.

 

I plan on making a run, with the chicks able to roam free when we are around. I would like to keep noise to a minimum, so not to disturb the neighbours too much (although most have barking dogs). I am currently leaning toward Pekin Bantams, but would prefer a better layer if possible. Does anyone have any advice on what we should go for?

 

As we have a smallish garden, space is another issue that made me consider a bantam. We would probably get 3 Pekin's, or two full size chickens, if we find an quiet alternative.

 

Any comments gratefully received. Many thanks.

[merlina]

Well my (limited) experience ..

 

I've had 4 warrens (aka ginger rangers etc) who have all been reasonably quiet. They 'chatter' but it's a nice soothing sound and not at all loud - unless alarmed or there's a particularly exciting egg been laid that needs shouting about

 

My 2 bluebells have been noiser than the warrens, more prone to protest at the weather/passing jackdaws (jackdaws need shouting at loudly, apparently) etc

 

I currently have a speckeldy that I've only had a couple of weeks, but which doesn't seem to make a sound (perhaps she just can't get a word in edgeways, especially as she hangs out with....)

 

My white sussex makes a lot of noise, she usually looks like she's telling the others off for anything/everything

 

My araucana has a lot to say too - a lot of noise for a rather timid bird (she's mad as a hatter, so she's probably shouting at clouds). She definitely has the most varied vocabulary - it's fascinating

 

The noisiest hen ever is my goldtop - so loud! so often! I've heard quieter cockerels! She looks all cute and posh and just squaaaaaawks all day!

[mimi5]

WELL.........pekins and quiet in the same sentence??? Not if my gang are anything to go by Especially when they go broody they sound like something pre-historic at the end of the garden!!!!!

 

They are lovely though!!!

 

I think personality has a lot to do with it......my Milly was very gobby and her daughter is just the same!!!

[Egluntyne]

I have also found Pekins to be noisy.

 

I agree that Warrens tend to be quietish hens.

[Mwperry]

Thank you all, very informative. From what I had read I had assumed pekins were a winner in terms of volume, but ill obviously have to do some more research. Warrens sound like they could be a good option.

[Cheeky Chooky]

I think personality has a lot to do with it

I agree...you can't really generalise when it comes to chookens. Our remaining Pekin has never been noisy.

 

Warrens are definitely a good all round Have you thought about re-homing some Ex-Batts?

[Olly]

I think a lot depends on the individual hen - I have two Warrens and they are very talkative and quite noisy!

[Chicken deficient]

Pekins definitely have a lot to say, but I think that the volume is quieter than my bantam Wyandottes.

 

Having said that, I did re-home 3 rescue Pekins. They had been re-homed and returned to the shelter 3 times before I took them...for being too noisey

 

However, they have not been particularly vocal in the years I've had them - probably because they have more space and more to keep them occupied. I think Pekins are very clever and only complain loudly if they have something really worth complaining about. They talk to me pretty much all the time I am with them though, unless they are eating.

 

Having said that, (Moaning) Myrtle thought that it was really very important to tell me loudly and almost continually for three weeks that she did not like being changed onto pellets from crumb!

[Egghead68]

My pekin is ultra-noisy. My warren just chatters sweetly.

[Mwperry]

Thanks for all of the replies, but, to be honest, I'm more confused than ever! If there isn't much between Pekin's and Warrens, I think I would prefer a larger bird, with full size eggs. If I go for the Warrens, however, I think I would have two, instead of 3 bantams, as I have a small garden.

 

I know that most shops etc recommend a min of 1m^2 of run space per chick, but does anyone have any comments on realistic space in a run?

 

Thanks again.

[charly1979]

I am starting to think its just down to luck.

 

My first lot Pudding, Pie (ex batts) Tullah (Cucko Marran) Fliss (Black Rock) were generally quiet (poor old Fliss lost her voice)

 

My latest bunch are incredibly vocal and pretty much anything will set them off Saturday I dared to use a strimmer oh my I honestly didn't know they could be so loud, then Sunday my parents had taken Isla, Connie, Marilyn and Prilly home for their half tem holiday. I was left with Trixie (she was mid lay) and the two banties. Clarabel did her slightly weird stalking of nest box and started a racket this started Trixie of, the 2 of them made even more of a din then normal. My neighbour 3 doors up was chatting to me via facebook and she commented. I could hear her laugh when I yelled " cut it out Trixie !! TRIXIE SHUT IT "

 

I do often worry about the noise but most of the time mine are quiet and they only start during the day when all sorts of other noises are happening too. My girls don't get let out until 8:30 and as long as they have food they seem happy enough, different story if they have no food then its a dash with a jug of feed in whatever clothing I can find no matter how silly I look