The Poultry Keeper The Independent Forum for Poultry Keepers    FAQ   Search     Register   Log in  Getting new Chickens Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6  Next          The Poultry Keeper Forum Index -> General & Misc Author Message Heather Moderator Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 4010 Location: West Sussex Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 6:03 pm    Post subject: Getting new Chickens I don't think Willow is coming back now - so I am considering what to do about new chooks . I don't know whether to go for it now or wait until Spring , I doubt if I will be able to get another Orp right now - but there are some places that do have hybrids for sale I will get at least one hybrid and have been looking @ the Meadowsweet range Here just can't decide Any views ? another choice would be 2 hybrids now then two bantam Orps or other banties in the Spring (when my super duper run is build ) Back to top Deb_Moderator Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661 Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 6:25 pm    Post subject: If you are going to get some, get 2...it will be a lot easier on all involved. Sorry she didn't return. Last edited by Deb_Moderator on Sun Jan 01, 2006 5:22 am; edited 1 time in total Back to top Heather Moderator Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 4010 Location: West Sussex Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 6:29 pm    Post subject: Oh I was planning on two - it's whether to wait to the spring and get an Orp and a hybrid or get two hybrids now - they have quite a choice at Henfield Poultry so I could get two diffrent ones I doubt if anywhere will have Orps right now and I don't fancy the long trek to the back of nowere to get an Orp from where I did before Back to top Lisa Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 3237 Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:27 pm    Post subject: I'd prefer to get 2 or more from the same place, and get ones that have already been raised together in the same pen. More likely to be friends then. You can always get 2+ Orps at another time Oh go on, get 'em now. You know you want to or you wouldn't be asking Back to top Heather Moderator Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 4010 Location: West Sussex Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:31 pm    Post subject: well I don't have much willpower where chickens are concerned ... Will you have a look at the Meadowsweet ones someone and help me decide ?? I want two different colours of hens - maybe eggs too so one would have to be the Maran or the Whitestar I guess ! Confused of Crawley Down Back to top Knobby Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 6707 Location: North Warwickshire Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:45 pm    Post subject: Psst....would u like me to hatch an orp for you ???? One of mine ! Back to top Lisa Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 3237 Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:45 pm    Post subject: Heather wrote: well I don't have much willpower where chickens are concerned ... LOL!! Neither do I AFAIK the White Stars are usually described as rather "flighty" - but I've never had them myself. Some lay more eggs than others - depends whether you want 200+ eggs or 300+ eggs per year? Or if you want the most placid (although I think most of the hybrids are usually fairly friendly, so i don't think you'll pick a wrong 'en there). I've had a Bovan Nera, a Buttercup, a Goldline and a an... err... a brown one with a black tail Been pleased with all of them. I've rung Meadowsweet before and they're really helpful.... At least they'll know how one type of hybrid compares to another in temperament and egg colour overall, rather than, for example, me saying from my limited experience of "one of these, and one of those" Have fun choosing (off for the evening to deliver some family Xmas prezzies, so ttfn for now). Back to top Heather Moderator Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 4010 Location: West Sussex Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:52 pm    Post subject: That'd be lovely Knobby , especially yours, they are gorgeous , but If I get two hybrids now then I could realistically only get two more bantams - not LF unless you fancy hatching out some bantie Orps for me Or Pekins - rather long journey for them also Back to top Deb_Moderator Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661 Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 8:11 pm    Post subject: I have what you call White Stars, Leghorns. The last batch of 5, day old chicks I got, I raised by hand....held, talked to, etc. Now there is only one of that group of 5 left. She is just terrible!!!!!! Goes broody all the time, insists on leaping into your arms...etc. Guess it is all in how they are raised. Last edited by Deb_Moderator on Sun Jan 01, 2006 5:23 am; edited 1 time in total Back to top Fangs Joined: 16 Apr 2005 Posts: 1110 Location: Nr.Newport South Wales Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 8:18 pm    Post subject: go on heather get 2 now , then 2 more in spring gaha. sorry willow didnt come bak Fangs Back to top fluffly_fifer Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 411 Location: Fife, Scotland Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 9:39 pm    Post subject: Or you could do what I did- decide on 2 then get 4 Back to top jaydee67 Moderator Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5152 Location: Shetland Islands Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 9:40 pm    Post subject: There's a more than a few done that! Go with your heart Heather - that means more chickens! Back to top Pete&Jackie Joined: 03 Sep 2005 Posts: 209 Location: Hertfordshire Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 11:44 pm    Post subject: Are you willing to travel for an Orp or 2??? We drove to the New Forest to get ours, from Rob at www.orpingtons.co.uk they are fantastic from there. I know he had a full order book but he may well have some left because of the uncertainty of the avian flu, which seems to have hit the poultry business quite hard by all accounts. I don't think it's that much of a trek, if you are interested, send him an email, just have a look at the Orps on my gallery to see how wonderful they are...... not that I'm biased or anything!!! If he has any left (he also has Wellsummers, Copper Black and Wheaten Marans and of course Wyandottes!!) they will be about 30 weeks old now. Back to top Aussie Chick Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Posts: 2737 Location: Milton Keynes/ Brisbane Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 9:23 am    Post subject: How exciting....choosing new birds!! I'd go with Knobby's hatchings. Back to top Heather Moderator Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 4010 Location: West Sussex Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 9:30 am    Post subject: so wait then ? You had no problems introducing one chook at a time , did you ? and I had no problems with mine coming from diffferent groups - hmmmmmmmm Will chat to you and Knobby about it tomorrow So excited I was up @ 6.30 this morning - still blacker than a kangeroo's jockstrap out there @ 7.30 though - shortest day today Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First         The Poultry Keeper Forum Index -> General & Misc All times are GMT + 1 Hour Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6  Next Page 1 of 6 Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group