Justadmin Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Hi all, We've had our two hybrid girls a year now and I am absolutely in love with them. Would really like to get more birds as I've been bitten by the poultry bug. We live in a very built up area (tiny garden, houses either side, at the back and all around) so lots of people are probably within earshot of the garden. Initially I was going to get a couple of Serama hens (frizzle feathered ones!) as I've researched and people generally advise that they are quieter than large girls like hybrids. However, the only place a 2nd coop and run could go is right by the back of my house, so consequentially right by the back of my neighbours house too. I know chooks only usually make noise anyway when they are laying, and I know Serama don't lay as much, so perhaps it would be okay? But then I worry will they "join in" if they hear my two big girls singing their hearts out just 15ft away? OR do I sigh and say goodbye to the idea of more chooks, and instead get a few quail? We've actually had quail before, before we had the chickens, so I know a bit about them. Last time we had Japanese quail but this time I'd like to try a fancier breed, like snowflake bobwhites or something similar. The cons with quail, as far as I can see, is obviously they are less "friendly" than chickens, and their poop is more prolific and harder perhaps to clear up, so cleaning out will be a bit more of a task. But then they are quieter, they are attractive birds still and would be interesting to watch, no doubt. So what do we think? I really am torn, I can think of positives and negatives for both! If I didn't worry so much about the noise, it'd be chooks. And "no more birds" isn't an option haha, this is the first hobby I've had that I genuinely feel connected with so I really want to pursue it! Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 How much space would the Seramas have? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 I know which I'd pick I would pop next door and say that you are going to get a few more chickens and that it might be a bit noisy while they settle in with the others. If they're noisy, then next door will be prepared and if they're quiet then you'll have hit the jackpot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeramaSilly Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 Oh seramas definitely, I have five but used to have large fowl going back. They do the whole egg announcement thing and you'll still cringe but it's not nearly as loud as the big girls or pekins (soooo noisy!) were!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 See I was going to suggest Pekins Ours are pretty quiet, all our chickens are really - even the cockerels! Serama aren't very hardy, they'd have to be brought inside over winter, especially the frizzled as their loose feathering provides no insulation. If you have room I would add to your existing coop rather than adding another, it's so much easier to fill one large feeder and drinker than several little ones. Wyandottes are a great breed and come in bantam version. Quail are nice but as you say, they're less tame and can't be let out to free range or they'll fly off. Bobwhite don't lay very many eggs at all either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeramaSilly Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 Seramas do need more care in the winter but I have mine quite close to the house so it's quite sheltered and over the winter I nailed plastic to most of the run so they were protected from the wind and the rain which they hate. Mine have been absolutely fine and have been laying all winter. They don't do a big moult in the autumn like other chickens as they lose a few feathers every day so they lay all year around. I would agree about the silkied and frizzled varieties though - I just have the straight-feathered variety. You wouldn't be able to let them free-range them though unless you're watching them like a hawk because they're smaller than some pigeons so cats would kill them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 I have bantam wyandottes, bantam araucanas and pekins. I wouldn't say any breed is noisier than the other. One of the araucanas is pretty noisy but the other is very quiet. The Wyandottes are mostly only noisy when egg laying or upset - but one has a funny five minutes a few times every summer and starts crowing at 4 in the morning. And the Pekins can be very noisy. Or not. Depending on how the mood takes them! Just down to the individual as much as anything i think. The Wyandottes seem to be the most healthy of the three breeds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 And the Pekins can be very noisy. Or not. Depending on how the mood takes them! Mullethunter has hit the nail on the head with the pekins. I have 2 very quiet pekins and one very noisy one, although saying that, they were very quiet all winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
