NEEPS

KitchenKleet

Not for eating please or I'll eat him myself, being a rare breed I'd rather he live. Naturally reared, entirely freerange,

good natured, about 4 months old.
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wildgarlic · Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 7:39 am Post subject:

ahhh I wish I could but I can't, so I won't. I love silver dorkings.
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Townie · Moderator Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 2723 Location: Fife

Absolutely stunning birds.. I cant keep cockerels where I am, but if I could I would have one of these

wildgarlic · Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 9:15 am Post subject:

We had a pair at Kildrummy - assume they are still there and are included in the chooks that David is trying to rehome. We hatched the cockerel from a batch of eggs - only one that came through - then he did something to his leg and we thought he would have to be despatched but it mended - found his ladyfriend via Cockadoodledoo. Lovely natured breed and they have an extra toe!
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KitchenKleet · Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 9:56 am Post subject:

I love them they are currently my favourite breed. The 3 Dorkings had the sense not to get eaten by the stoat that took 3 of the 4 marans I hatched in the same batch (they all hung around together). I just had to keep one cockrel as I think they are gorgeous. The remaining maran cockrel is going to be eaten as I don't think anyone will want a freak with no tail! Not going to bother with marans again I find them a bit odd in nature.
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Forget-me-Not · Neepster Joined: 25 Jan 2008 Posts: 1031 Location: Insch

I always wanted to get a silver dorking hen, they're gorgeous.

I have three marans, a black beautiful, intelligent, calm one who's new, a copper grey who had from pretty young became very tame indeed but sulking as have had a busy fortnight and she's had less attention and a cuckoo who escaped 10 mins into living here and disappeared for 8 hours up the field. She came back lame and even months on is still a tiny bit but so timid, I thinka trip to the vet would kill her. She's got lovely pale eyes though and due to the almost loss, I've a major soft spot for her.

My Dad goes to his pond, at the bottom of the garden (the size of a pool) to relax. I go and have a chat with my chooks with some snacks and a cuppa.

Beth
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KitchenKleet · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 11:06 pm Post subject:

Nothing would make me part with Natasha the only hen I have left fromn the 7 chicks she is a beaut and even tho shes not hugely keen on being picked up she loves it once she being stroked.

I can only speak of my experience with Marans but I find them very beady and beaky compared to other breeds. I had to dispatch one as it was continually pecking the dog in the eye (all he did was lie there) and stopping the younger chickens going in the house at night. It's sister is similar but not so bad, and the young cockrel is a noisy freak who leads the dorkings astray. I did rather like the copper blue hen who was eaten she was very shy. I do love the eggs but think I will try Barnvelders for deep brown eggs next.
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Forget-me-Not · Neepster Joined: 25 Jan 2008 Posts: 1031 Location: Insch

Oooh, I've not come across Barnvelders, though have pics in my chook back. A neighbour recommended marans, he likes the eggs.

I'm in my second year of hens after five years of wanting them but was in wrong house. We had chooks when I was little. I started off with three hybrids which were good to start with as easy and the eggs are a huge part of things at the beginning. As my hen numbers grew and I upgraded their space, I started tlooking at breeds too. The different looks, characters and eggs. Also easier to tell apart for others.

Now I have 15 hens, including just two hybrids, I gave the rest away. One hybrid is a right character and loved by us and neighbours, (extended family, they leave us scraps for them and have eggs) One is pretty unpleasant when outside but happy being broody and keeps wee new hens warm. All the hens have names and there are some big characters in the mix. I find breeds to be far more accepting of new hens. Less eggs but I love their friendly natures, yet habit of clear breed group friendships and characteristics.

I don't know what my favourite breed is, I have two new young cochins, one who's having a height growth spurt now, Josephine, she is the most gorgeous thing to look at, almost like a bird of prey chook, all height and feathers. The new one Friday (got last week, happened to be wedding anniversary) is gorgeous too and has settled in very well. I also have some new light sussexes that are a joy, a lovely orpington who likes to wait beside the big door to be let in at night, rather than walk up the ramp and ohhh I could go on and on. Still this is the place to ramble on about the love we have for our chooks!!!LOL

Beth
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KitchenKleet · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:40 pm Post subject:

My mongrels have a lovely nature and are the biggest characters. My cock (Lyall) loves his family, but with the new pure breeds it's more like rape! I let mum (Kiera) and chicks out at the weekend for a wander and he was proudly paradeing around with them in a 'look what I did' way as he always does. He doesn't realise they arent his.

Kiera was taking chunks out of any hen then even looked at her brood the wrong way, so within 5 mins she was lording it over them all.

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KitchenKleet · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 2:04 pm Post subject:

Also a blue maran cockrel if anyone want to save him from the pot. He's finally grown a tail so no longer a freak!
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