Roksteddie Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 So we'll FINALLY be getting our chickens this weekend! We're having a mixed group of 3 in an eglu go up with one metre extension. Spoke to the owner of where we we'll be getting our hens and she suggested that a columbine wouldn't be suitable for our set up as they tend to need a lot more free ranging time and space than other breeds. She also said that because of their nature (skittish and nervy) they might be subjected to being picked on in an enclosed run. I've also read elsewhere that they're not great for first time chicken keepers. What are people's thoughts and experiences? I'd love to have one as they are beautiful and the possibility of blue/green eggs is an added bonus. However i wouldn't want to risk a difficult start to our chicken keeping days! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 I have a columbine, but she's never been kept in a small run. I also have a Jasmine,which is pretty much the same as a columbine. I had to remove her from my big enclosure. She now roosts in the stable and free ranges all day with my others as she was very badly pecked. Are you planning to let them free range? Welcome to chicken keeping by the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roksteddie Posted November 1, 2016 Author Share Posted November 1, 2016 I'm definitely planning to let them free range but it might not be for anymore than an hour a day as we have foxes in the area and they would need to be supervised (though I've never actually seen foxes in our garden). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooksRCute Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 Hi and welcome I haven't had a Columbine (Leg Bar crosses) but do have the Leg Bars, they manage perfectly well in the Go-Up with an hour or so free ranging every day. Never had any bullying but have had a hell of a time with plumage mite this summer. Thought I'd mention this as their feathers look like they are broken off, rather than fallen/pulled out - although they have also had bare patches on their throats and bums. Despite searching I've only ever seen an odd louse and the vet couldn't find any! I've been using the Eprinox, used as a spot on with regular bathing using dog flea shampoo. Regards the not licensed bit....it just means the drug company hasn't done trials with chickens specifically . These particular treatments are prescribed by the vet for chickens but often requires an egg withdrawal period; you have to discard the eggs for a stated period of time...because they may contain traces of the drug and shouldn't be eaten. Hope this helps If you think yours have plumage or other mites/lice, you can search this forum for advice as there's been quite a few threads on the subject this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 I had a columbine as one of my first hens she was one of the most laid back hens I've ever had she was top hen for all of her life never picked on any one or got picked on, she took my first cream legbar under her wing literally as she slept under her wing at night. I didn't free range my first girls that much compared with now but they never seemed stressed out and they didn't get the bigger run until they were just over a year old Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PixieDust Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 I agree. My Columbine is the sweetest of all my girls. Very skittish at first and during moulting but my bestest pal at any other time. Very cuddly too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roksteddie Posted November 8, 2016 Author Share Posted November 8, 2016 In the end we decided against getting a columbine, at least not for our first time. We have a wonderful trio of a copper black, speckledy and brown ranger. Perhaps in the future we'll consider a columbine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sil-El Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 We have a Columbine and a Leg Bar and yes they are a tad skittish but we've never had any problems with either of them in the run with our other ladies. They are also full of personality and are real characters, they love to follow us round the garden, chatting and chuntering away. When they are free-ranging we've noticed that both tend to go off on their own rather than stick with the others, but they soon meet up again for a gossip or when treats appear Our Columbine has just stopped laying for the year, she is very seasonal, we only get eggs from her between March and October - someone did tell me that Columbines don't lay in winter, but I don't know if that's all Columbines or just our one! They are lovely hens though and I'd have no problems having another one in future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PixieDust Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 Last and this year Winnie stopped laying in October and started in February. She has been moulting for about a month, (second full moult), as has Pixie, (first proper moult), and Lily, also first full moult. Both Lily and Pixie have layed almost every day since we got them 2 years ago. Winnie stopped during her moult last winter. I have a fear that they won't start again but I am sure they will. I loved my Copper Black Maran. She didn't live long enough to lay. Still haunts me that I couldn't save her as she was extremely friendly. I just hope she had a pleasent first month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
