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Shirl

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You may have read that this week I bought my first 3 chickens-pekin batams. They are still small about 10, 12 and 14 weeks. My understanding is they probably won't lay until next spring. Being a bit impatient I was thinking of getting a Faverolle which is from last year and is in moult. Do you think the introduction would be difficult? Would the fact that the new bird is mature adult would mean the youngsters would just defer to her?

 

Should I just be patient? The Faverolle is in moult at the moment so I guess I'd still have await for eggs.

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What makes you think you'll have to wait till next spring Shirl? Chickens usually start laying at around about 20 weeks - are pekin bantams different? I think they can lay less over the winter, but seasons haven't been a major issue for our hybrid hens.

 

When we introduced 2 youngsters to one mature hen they immediately gave in to her dominance. This didn't stop her bullying them for a couple of weeks though. It might be different if you were adding a mature hen to youngsters.

 

If the Faverolle is in moult you probably would have to wait for eggs, but the length of time is hard to predict - they vary so much as to whether they do it all quickly or slowly!

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My 4 newbies are 10 weeks old and the breeder told me they probably won't lay until the spring.

 

Last year my Bantams stopped laying at the end of august and didn't start again until April.

 

Pepsi my Pekin has been broody 3 times since April :roll: Her eggs are a rare treat :D

 

I would be reluctant to introduce a fully grown Hen to the young ones as she might bully the little uns :? My newbies will be seperate from the big girls for at least 8 weeks and then I shall introduce them slowly until I am confident they are getting on together.

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But I've only got Pekins, if they're all broody I'm stuffed! I just want to taste the fresh creamy eggs I keep hearing about :)

 

So far the buff is the most nervous and DS hasn't been able to pick her up. The black is the bravest and least bothered. How would you recommend taming them? DS has been sat outside the run for hours digging up worms for them and hand feeding them. Would her be better having them on his lap?

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I'm sure they all will not be broody at the same time. Until recently I had another Pekin who did not go broody.

 

Try taking them out of the Eglu via the eggport after it has got dark. They should be sleepy then and not mind so much being handled. Just a little cuddle and a stroke to start with to get them used to being touched (I am starting to do this tonight with my newbies). Offer them a treat, corn or grapes etc so they associate you with nice things. When they start to come into lay they will start to crouch when you approach them (you being the Cockeral), they will be easier to pick up then in daylight hours especially if you have been cuddling them at night.

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Hi Shirl

 

How did the cuddling go?

 

First time I went to get mine out it wasn't dark enough and they got aggitated when I tried to lift one out, so I gave gave them each a little stroke. I wasn't helped by the fact that the resident gulls decide to come home to roost and were making such a racket :twisted:

 

Went back later and this time it was too dark :roll: My back was blocking out the security light and I couldn't see a thing. I didn't know which end of the chicken I was trying to lift :roll::lol:

 

Better luck tonight I hope :D

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Didn't get a chance to try last night as DD2 wasn't playing ball. Tonight I'm doing a cloth nappy demo so I know that's a no go.

 

I might ask DS to have a go as he seems to be on chicken watch. He's spending about 6 hours a day sat outside their run watching, feeding and stroking them. He can pick them up but he says he can feel they are desperate to get down so he'll be willing to give it a go in the dark.

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It's well worth persevereing with the handling, we've had ours for nearly 3 weeks now, and already they come running out to see me every time I go into the garden and are happy to be hand fed all the time, hopping onto knees, legs etc for a cuddle. It is really sweet playing with them and it does make a difference when we need to get them in the run quickly!

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That's really good after only 3 weeks. How tame were they when you got them?

 

My demo was quite quick so I managed to trott down the garden at about 9pm. They were fairly docile but kept hiding thier heads under our arms presumably because they wanted it to be darker.

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