Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Grandmashazzie]

Lucky OH does not have to bother shopping for me this year I have accidentally ordered a purple classic( or was it a go)Iam so excited coming next week.Now I can't wait to get some bantams 4 I think.There are some people advertising locally but each time I email and ask if they vaccinate their birds they don't reply.Do most chickens get vaccinated or do you have to contact a main breeder.I seem to have difficulty finding one.I wish I lived in England there seems to be so many.

[Egluntyne]

Hobby breeders don't vaccinate their chickens as a rule, as it it too expensive, and is only a requirement in large commercial set ups.

[Grandmashazzie]

Thank you Egluntyn have found someone locally who does vaccinate and he has goldtop bantams they look lovely and apparently make good pets,are docile.We will go to look at them on Saturday.He has other different types so may get a mix.

[Chickabee]

Oo that's really exciting. Can't wait to see them

[Chortle Chook]

How exciting Are goldtops not a sort of self sexing silkie? If so then they'd be very pretty and have the sweet silkie disposition Redwing would know, I think, as I belive she had one last year.

[Grandmashazzie]

I think they are a cross between silkie and Orpington .I hope they are not prone to Mareks.

[Chickabee]

Not if they're vaccinated, surely

[Grandmashazzie]

I will have to investigate just what they are vaccinated against.I since spoke to another breeder who assured me his hens were vaccinated but only for coccydossis( spelling wrong am sure)he said they didn't need anything else

[Grandmashazzie]

Well my purple classic has arrived,is installed in WIR and cordoned off,I have found a breeder BUT it is so cold and windy I am wondering is this the right time of year to be getting chickens.I hope the stress of moving plus cold wouldn't be too much.Also I am spending as little time as poss outside is this a good time to socialise them.The little bantams I am hoping to get are all docile and make good pets but if I am not with them in the beginning does this make them less friendly in the long term.My ex batts are friendly enough but not overly keen on being handled. Any thoughts much appreciated.

[Purplemaniacs]

good choice

 

Having said that I have just bought a but it was such good value I couldn't resist and it will give my little silkies a better home and perhaps room for one or two more in the new year

 

For me part of the fun of having new chooks is chook watching and if the weather is grotty and you are not keen to be outside I would think about waiting but if you are happy to wrap up warm and can find the type of girls that you would like I would go for it.

 

Chrissie

[Redwing]

Goldtops are a specific cross between a white silkie male and a light Sussex female (females hatch amber and males hatch white)

 

They are specifically bred to sit on and hatch the eggs of more valuable birds and will spend a LOT of time broody! When they do lay the eggs are a good size and plentiful. I would say mine only lay for about 3 months of the year though

 

People do use the name incorrectly for other crosses but ultimately a 'Goldtop' is always a broody bird

 

they are pleasant birds though and make good pets as long as you understand that they will get broody and take steps to ensure they dont lose condition from constant attempts to sit

 

£15 is the average price - remember they are not pure breeds

[Grandmashazzie]

Oh thank you for that info Redwing.It has given me something to think about.I emailed him yesterday and he only has these goldtops available plus 1 bantam Orpington ( I think) the rest are in breeding pairs.I had hoped to get 4-5 different bantams.I think I should wait until spring.Ah well I'll maybe offer my girls a choice of home just to get using my classic it looks so much easier to clean.