loumabel Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 Hi, I am an old forum member but haven't posted for years! I do lurk in the background a bit but always feel there are more experienced members who can answer much better than me. Anyway I am hoping you lovely people would give me some advice. I only have one Wyandotte left now from my two large flocks and I don't want to keep her alone as it seems mean. I did have her in with my old ex batt but she sadly died on Monday. She is incredibly timid and I am unsure what is the best course of action. I have the opportunity to buy 2 favourelle bantams which I am told are very laid back and non bullying so wondered if this could be a good solution. Or they have Pekins and other Wyandottes too. I am leaning towards Favourelles but I don't really know much about them apart from what I have found out on Google. Some say they don't mind being confined and others say they hate it! Free ranging in my garden now is not an option as we now live in town and have lots of foxes. Any advice would be very gratefully received. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 I'd go with whatever you like the look of most. You can't really go wrong with another dotte, I know pekins can be a bit feisty (down to the individual, the ones I know are as timid as anything), but if you fancy a faverolle don't let anything put you off. They are docile, do bear confinement well, are hardy, and are pretty productive, as well as being pretty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 Hi loumabel I have pekins and they're feisty madams I remember a forum member called SueB who had a trio of favourelle hens she adored If you fancy them, I'd say go for it They sound like they would fit the bill. Of course we'll need pics and an update Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 I have Pekins and Wyandotte bantams. My Pekins are lovely and friendly with me but timid with the Wyandottes (I think this is because I got all four at the same time but the Pekins were MUCH younger) - definitely bottom of the pecking order. In fact I've found the Wyandottes to be quite mean to the little Pekins and although they're generally said to be docile I know I'm not the only person to have this experience. If you want them as pets, on my experience I'd say go for Pekins, but all individuals are different. Enjoy choosing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumabel Posted March 11, 2015 Author Share Posted March 11, 2015 Thanks everyone! I do have a hankering for the Favourelles and if they don't mind being in a run then I am really tempted to go for them and get two now and add maybe three more a bit later on. I did have Pekins a few years ago and like you mimi5 I found them to be fiesty little devils to my other bantams. I will definitely take pics and post them for you all to see. It's so exciting! I haven't bought any new girls for years now. X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 Yes, yes, yes favs are beautiful I have one. Love her to bits. She is kind, gentle robust and 100% healthy. She is approaching 6yrs old and never a days illness. She is the kindest of my hens. Always spreads her wings for the others to sleep under at night. Only lays the odd egg now. The garden wouldn't be the same without her. Oh and she sort of "honks" like a horn going up and down the scale. Lovely lady Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumabel Posted March 12, 2015 Author Share Posted March 12, 2015 Oh thanks Sparkysmum! You have convinced me, I am completely decided now it's Favourelles for me. I will try and post some pics at the weekend after I get them. Thanks again Lou x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Hi loumabel Dont keep us waiting! Have you got them yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 I suppose there are 2 days to the weekend, maybe we will see the newbies tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 So loumabel.........any sightings of favourelles in your garden???? Not that we are impatient or anything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumabel Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 Hi mimi5 I have my little girls and they are gorgeous! Can you help me with the pictures? I can't work out how to load them onto a post. I really want to show you Meryl and Matilda, I am totally smitten and am now an official Favorelle fan! I was hoping you could give me a little advice too. I got them Saturday and popped them in the WIR in a divided off section from my Wyandotte and all seemed fine. Brought them into my dining room(radiator off) overnight in cat basket, then put them back out Sunday morning again. All fine but at lunchtime I went to check on them and Matilda looked not well, all hunched up, eyes closed etc.. I picked her up and she was all floppy. I immediately brought them both inside in the dog crate and matilda did a poo with blood in. I gave her a little dose of nutri drops and some bio yoghurt with a few oats mixed in. After a little coaxing she ate a little of this I left them alone and came back a couple of hours later and she had gobbled all the yoghurt was eating the layers mash and seemed fine again. This morning they both seem fine and eating and drinking well. As a precaution I have ordered some coxoid but not sure if I should give it to them or not now? Do you think they just got cold, they are so tiny, I can't help fretting over them. They are still in my dining room at the moment and I am reluctant to put them out again today as its so cold. What do you think? X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Hi Congratulations on getting your Favs. Looking forward to seeing them. Re blood in poo. My own feeling is that coxoid might be too harsh but did you know that a brand of chick crumb (cant remember the make) has added coccidiostat, ie it protects against coccidiosis. However I have no real experience in these things so hopefully someone else will be able to offer more definitive advice. Vet How old are they Hope all will be well soon, they are a worry when they are little Ax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 So sorry but meant to say if they are just little, they will be better on chick crumb, then growers. I didnt put mine on layers until a good month after thy came into lay. Which if I remember correctly was at about 9 months for Fav. Ax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 I hatched some last year 2 girls and 5 boys. Anyway the girls went off to their new home with one having eaten my diamond stud earring and so her name of Diamond Lill stuck. I would hatch them again if I came across the eggs to buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumabel Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 Hi, They are 16 weeks old but seem very small to me. Shall I switch to chick crumb and take off layers mash? I have forgotten what is like to have little ones as we have only rescued hens for the last 4 years and I am struggling to find out exactly what I should be doing with them. They seem very happy indeed in my dining room so am tempted to keep them in for a few more days or am I fretting over them too much? Probably! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumabel Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 Right, I hope this works as I am rubbish at computer stuff. hopefully this link takes you to Meryl and Matilda the favorelles. Aren't they gorgeous? They are very comical and run to the front of their cage to see me. http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b505/loumabel/image.jpg1_zpsisknhdlc.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Loumabel, they are a worry for sure I hatched 3 years ago and am hoping to go on that adventure again sometime soon (waiting for a broody ) Should your girls be on growers? I don't think it will hurt to put them back on chick crumb at all, in fact it will probably build them up a bit Maybe do a mix, like when changing over? Did you get some of the feed they were on? Could it be an upset with change of feed? If you feel bringing them in a night is beneficial go on, why not catch a cuddle too! When I hatched I found blood in the poo's of my second hatch I did put them on coxoid for a week and then gave a water soluble pro-biotic for a week after. All turned out fine. I think that for the chick crumb to be beneficial they have to have it from the start, as it build immunity. Also, they can't have medicated feed and coxoid, it's one or the other. I've been reading my book in hatching Can you tell?? Best wishes for your little girls X please keep us posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 I'd have them on growers for a while longer. If they aren't the bantam sized version then they will get a lot bigger. I left mine on growers until the youngest one was about 20 weeks while the oldest was about 25 weeks (they were Orpingtons though so fat lumps anyway). I figured it didn't matter how long I had them on those - finish off the sackful while gradually introducing layers. What cute girlies - I love faverolles. One day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 I didn't think I liked Favourelles, but they're lovely I'd keep them on growers for a few weeks yet as others have said - maybe up to a couple of months more actually. Keep us updated with pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumabel Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 I am really stupid but I didn't think to get some of the food they were on. I could email the breeder and ask her what she had them on. I tried to buy some growers but couldn't get any locally but could order some online and get it delivered soon. I have them on small holder range layers crumble but could get some chick crumb instead or growers? They are the bantam sized favs and are really tiny! I have them in my dining room all day at the moment as they seemed to not be coping at all in the cold outside. The breeder had them in a dog crate in a lovely shepherds hut so I think it was a bit of a shock for them going into my drafty cold garden. I thought I would keep them inside for the week and then try again outside and see how they get on. I know I am a fusspot but I would rather be safe than sorry. I am sneaking far too many cuddles at the moment and they are very friendly and don't seem to mind at all. I am never going to get any work done at this rate! I will keep you updated with pics, now I have worked out how to do it. Thanks for all the brilliant advice, keep it coming please x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Just to make it visible for everyone! Lovely girls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Ah lovely girls It is difficult to remember all the different needs at the different stages. I've just been reading up about hatching again and am having a debate with myself about what to use for the nest material They will be unsettled from the change, so TLC never goes a miss I just love their cheek muffs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumabel Posted March 17, 2015 Author Share Posted March 17, 2015 Ahhhh thanks Mimi5, they really are very cute and comical! I thought over the years I had become hardened and sensible with hen keeping but I am just as silly as ever with these little ones and fussing unnecessarily over them I have been using 'fresh bed for hens' as their bedding with a little diatom mixed through, I am not sure if this is suitable for really young chicks though? Can't wait to see your hatchlings in the future, good luck with it. I would love to do it but know I lack the courage to deal with the boys! X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyhen Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Brilliant choice !! I have 5 faverolles..... they are the best !! (In my opinion) but they are completely nuts Mine are all about 9 months old and lay really well. My black one is extremely noisy !! Good luck with your little girlies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
