Sara_PC Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 (edited) So we are looking to add 2-3 more hens to our existing flock and we have decided we definitely want Araucanas and Barnevelders, but then we discovered Campines which are beautiful and lay cream eggs (we want to try and get a variety of colours). We've found a breeder of Campines that we like the look of. However we are struggling to find a breeder that will sell pullets. Most sell hatching eggs or unsexed chicks which is tricky for us as we can't keep the cockerels and couldn't bear to 'dispatch' the boys There don't seem to be many keeers of Campine chickens out there. So I suppose my question is - if we were to get chicks and ended up with cockerels, how hard/easy do you think they would be to rehome? We have been in this situation before with CLB cockerels and they were difficult to find homes for, as I know is the case for all cockerels. Do you think it would be easier to rehome Campine cockerels as they are rarer than most chickens? Also if anybody does know a breeder of silver Campines please let me know as we are desperate to get one! Here's a picture of a Campine because they are sooo pretty! Edited April 2, 2018 by Sara_PC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 Definitely gorgeous bird! Can you find someone else to do the hatching? Maybe find a local chicken breeder/keeper that would be willing to hatch a bunch of eggs and let you have one or two pullets? Maybe something like a local petting zoo. (Those are a real thing here in the Netherlands, but I guess not so much on your side of the pond) Alternatively find someone who will dispatch or keep the cockerels before you start hatching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara_PC Posted April 2, 2018 Author Share Posted April 2, 2018 Hmm that's a good idea but I don't think we have anything like that here. I also hate the waste of killing boys so it's something I'd rather avoid, but I know that's all part and parcel of the chicken industry I think it's really unethical but I suppose I need to get over that or just keep ex-bats (which are lovely too). I wish you could just tell which ones were boys while they are early on in the egg! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 I totally sympathise because I’m sort of having the same dilemma at the moment over whether to hatch or not. I think it’s fine to say you wouldn’t be comfortable with dispatching the boys yourself, but don’t kid yourself that if you buy pullets you’ve avoided the waste of killing boys. It’s just that someone else has done it. You’re right, it is something you need to make your peace with in some way. On your original post, I love campines too - I think the gold ones are even prettier. Good luck finding some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara_PC Posted April 2, 2018 Author Share Posted April 2, 2018 Yeah I know that some boys will have been culled anyway but I'm guessing the breeder will have sold some or kept some back for breeding too. I just don't want to have the responsibility of selling them if I do end up with some. I would love to keep cockerels too but...neighbours! Let's all live on a remote chicken island where they can't bother anyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 That’s a good plan 😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
