kissinuk Posted August 25, 2007 Share Posted August 25, 2007 Hi, We still haven't decided whether to get some chickens with our new Eglu or to buy them seperate from cotswoldchickens.com. However we do have an Eglu reserved, so we need to make our mind up fast! Does anyone have any experience of keeping White Stars or Speckled Stars? Is the White Star too flighty to keep as a pet? Is it noisier than other breeds? Is the Speckled Star too big for an Eglu? Thanks a lot, Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah 2 Posted August 25, 2007 Share Posted August 25, 2007 Hi Paul, When we got our chickens we were advised not to get the white stars as with have children and they can be a bit flighty and nervous. We've got a chicken that I think is a speckled star or at least looks the same. She's bigger than the others and I can't lift her out of the egg port because she gets stuck she is very soft but not as friendly as the others. I've only heard good things about Omlet chickens. But I'm sure other people will give you some advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arowland17 Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 I'm probably wrong but I remember reading somewhere the white star was the same or similar to the light sussex - white with black collar and tail feathers?? If it is, my mum has 2 white, 2 ISA browns and 1 RIR/light sussex cross and the white ones are much less tame than the others, although they were younger and are only just at POL - they seem more nervous and while the hybrids will happily follow us around and eat corn from our hands but the white ones don't so much They also make quite a racket!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindy Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 Hi, We have two hybrids - a Speckled Star (Stella) and a Sussex Star (Blanche). Being derived somewhere along the line from a Light Sussex, Blanche is white with a black collar and tail feathers. Of the two Blanche is definitely the bigger and heavier (apparently Sussex Stars are, er, dual purpose birds - but we only have designs on her eggs!) but neither is a particularly big chicken and the eglu is perfect for them. Nice temperaments, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 We have a white star (The palce we got her from calles them snow white's) and a speckled star. The white star is called mischief and she is very flighty, she wont let us pick her up and stroke her so i dont think they are very good for children. She does lay beautiful china white eggs though which makes up for it. We wouldnt swap her even though we havent got to stroke her or anything she is still very cute and full of personality. We have a speckled star called Uma, she is a bit on the big side but i dont know about her being ok in a eglu because we have a cube. She is very cute and dozy and a nice little chicken, she doesnt mind being stroked but would rather not be picked up. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 Here's a piccie of our white star!!!! (I havent go any of Uma though) she's the one at the back. hope this helps xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 I'm probably wrong but I remember reading somewhere the white star was the same or similar to the light sussex - white with black collar and tail feathers?? No, they are not the same. The White Star is pure white , the Sussex hybrid is called a Sussex Star. I have a White Star & a Speckled Star & they are both wonderful.Lilys (WS) eggs are huge & pure white...she is also a nosey & cheeky hen & my most consistant layer. Poppy (SS) is gorgeous to look at,freindly & sweet & also a top layer. There are some picys in my album, link below. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lost-sheep Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 we bought a white star yesterday... and a light sussex!! we are introducing them to Katya and Eggzeena... Eggzeena is pulling out the feathers of the white star and Katya is eating them (the feathers!!??) i didnt realise chooks ate feathers... the white stars lay loads of large white eggs (apparently) that is alot for a teeny chook!! she is a bit flighty but then we have only had her for a day!!!! BEWARE!!! we her wings are clipped but she can still perch on the washing line!!! she probably wouldnt have done that if our cat hadnt decided that it was lunch time!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissinuk Posted August 26, 2007 Author Share Posted August 26, 2007 Thanks for all the advice (and nice photos!). I think we will give the White Star a miss for now but will definitely consider one after weve got a bit of chicken experience (I did forget to say in the first post that we have a 1 1/2 yr old so it needs to be good with little ones). We've decided if Pepperpots are in stock then we will get one of those and a Gingernut from Omlet, if not then we'll take a trip to Cotswolds and probably get a Sussex Star and maybe a Goldline. Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyReckless Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 Don't worry with an 18 month old - our daughter is that age and she was fine with a white star, although we've found Warrens and black rocks to be the most friendly (so we've had them twice) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 My Sussex Star was originally horribly bullying but is now the sweetest tamest of the lot and her eggs are just gorgeous- like shiny apricots. She is the one I pick up to show to friends' small children. Highly recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted August 29, 2007 Share Posted August 29, 2007 No experience of white or sussex stars. However, we have an Amber Star we got from an agent (and Cotswold chickens sell them too). My Amber Star is docile, friendly and really easy for the children to catch. She's not pure white as she has brown bits that have got darker with age but from the distance she looks white. We've also got 2 Gingernuts and 1 Miss Pepperpot from Omlet. Gingernuts very nosey, friendly and always under your feet..... Miss Pepperpot has gorgeous colouring and friendly too but with a different personality. All 3 types are great with my kids and I'm glad I have a mix as they all have something different to offer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 I think we will give the White Star a miss for now but will definitely consider one after weve got a bit of chicken experience (I did forget to say in the first post that we have a 1 1/2 yr old so it needs to be good with little ones). Thats a shame - White Stars are really lovely little hens & your child would enjoy the white eggs. They can be a bit more fighty, but we have found that they have an excess of personality & are a real bonus to any flock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 Are white stars similar to leghorns. They seem very much the same. My new white leghorn is a bit nervous of us, although extremely cheeky & charming. She is gaining confidence day by day and comes a tidgy bit nearer to us now. The magpie is friendly, likes her beak stroked & makes really deep bawk bawks. However, our black rock ' Rolo' is absolutely the friendliest of the newbies. Loves her chest tickled, her comb tickled and comes running to us straight away. A lovely bird. She is so like 'Blanche' my pepperpot. They will be a right pair together, when the newbies move into the cube. My gingernuts are also very friendly too. I would definitely advise pepperpots. They are excellent birds for beginners! Warrens are nice birds too - my sisters follows her everywhere & loves cuddles! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
menagerie Posted August 31, 2007 Share Posted August 31, 2007 My pepperpot is gorgeous - beautiful greeny black and gold laced feathers on her front. She is very, very bossy and full of personality. The gingernuts are a bit more docile and lay bigger browner eggs. I would recommend either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
