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Right.....let's get this straight, i don't want chickens or ducks. I'm looking for alternatives. Thinking about Quail (in an aviary) or pheasant or guinea fowl. Can anyone give me advice/pitfalls etc or indeed any other alternatives?
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I did once hatch pheasants under a bantam. They were not particuarlly difficult but you have to keep the run covered or they will fly out. The chicks when frightened do not run to the mother but away so you have to make sure tat they cant get out while they are small.
Lots of people here keep guinea fowl free range just like chickens.
Best of luckGardening requires a lot of water - most of it in the form of perspiration. Lou Erickson, critic and poet -
Quail lay little eggs,I would reckon five quail eggs to be the equivalent of one hen egg.They are easily panicked,but are very friendly. The right breed lays prolifically.
Pheasants would also have to be kept in an aviary(it would have to be large) and only lay a limited ammount of eggs.
Guinea Fowl are strange creatures, don't like to be confined and would rather roost in trees though if you get them from tiny you can teach them to go inside to roost. They are quite noisy and though some folk wouldn't mind the noise, some might.They lay reasonably well but,of course,not as well as chickens.Comment
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Hi whigger,
I'm not sure what you want from an alternative - are you just looking for something that can look after itself or do you specifically want something smaller for an aviary?
I have been thinking about muscovies - they are sort of a duck, but sort of a goose too, look after themselves, don't need a big pond but they do fly around. Plenty of eggs and good meat birds too if that's your thing.
Dwell simply ~ love richlyComment
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Don't think we'd be looking for meat birds as we probably wouldn't have the heart to be honest. We just wanted something a bit different and if we can get something that lays then that would just be a bonus. Wasn't really looking for anything that specifically needed an aviary as if we can get away without it then that would be great. I think realistically we will probably be getting quails but we will wait and see........need to built an aviary first.....lolComment
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What about bantam hens? They lay a useful sized egg, don't make as much of a mess as big ones, and there is a huge range to choose from! Have a look at bantam wyandottes, they are fabulous little hens. This link might be information overload but you might find it useful.
Dwell simply ~ love richlyComment
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Hallo! Thanks for the info (this is nessie, whigger's OH)... The wyandotte bantams sound great. As we are new to poultry keeping, have a few questions if anyone can help...
1) Would they be happy in a large enclosed yard or do they prefer grass?
2) What's the smallest number we could keep to start with?
3) Do they need any parasite control measures taken?
4) What kind of environmental enrichment measures could we take to ensure they are really happy?
5) Is it better to hatch our own eggs or to buy chicks?
6) Any other advice....
7) Does anyone know any reputable places to purchase eggs/chicks in northeast scotland
8) Any good suppliers of feed that u can recommend? Mailorder is fine.
Thanks in advance!
NessieComment
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Hi Nessie and Whigger
I have bantams, so maybe I can help!
A yard would be OK if you can supply greens - much better yolks!Originally posted by Nessie View Post
I would get at least three - chickens are flock birds, and if one should die, you will still have two which means no lonely solitary survivor.Originally posted by Nessie View Post
They need worming every six months (I do mine every four months as my garden is small) - you can get a poultry-safe wormer called Flubenvet online, and you don't have to discard the eggs during treatment.Originally posted by Nessie View Post
You will also need to dust against red mite and other external parasites - plenty of good products are available online, e.g.
Ascott Smallholding Supplies Ltd Poultry Health
As long as they have space (and a suitable surface) to scratch and dustbathe, they will be fine. Some logs to perch on are good as well. Make sure there's shade in summer - chickens are pretty cold-tolerant but don't like high temperatures.Originally posted by Nessie View Post
I would buy pullets, at least 16 weeks old. Chicks take a lot of TLC until they are old enough to fend for themselves, and can be difficult to sex accurately - do not hatch eggs as you will get around 70% cockerels! BTW you don't need a cockerel to get eggs, so unless you live out in the country, just get females.Originally posted by Nessie View Post
Wyandottes are reasonably good layers but not terribly friendly in my experience. If you're looking for pet birds that also lay yummy eggs, I would recommend pekin bantams - they are lovely and friendly, very easy to tame, and come in a range of beautiful colours and patterns. They don't lay in the winter, but are very good spring layers - my new girl is laying pretty much every day at the moment!Originally posted by Nessie View Post
Here are mine:
Esme
Gytha
More pictures here:
PekinBantams.com - Pekin Bantam Information, Poultry Articles, Poultry Health, Forums, Chat and more!
No - but I know someone near Elgin who keeps bantams - I'll ask her!Originally posted by Nessie View Post
Can't help with that one, I'm afraid, as I use a local country store. Will ask my friend where she gets her feed.Originally posted by Nessie View Post
Hope this helps! Any more questions, do ask!
Last edited by Eyren; 17-03-2008, 08:01 AM.Comment
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Hi Eyren
Thank u so much for the reply, links and photos - all really helpful. Loved the pics! Def will get 3 or 4 so they have company. Just a shame I have to work today as really fancy getting the henhouse built! We do live in the country and our neighbours have hens and a cockerel. I don't hear him much as they are a reasonable way along from us, but would this frustrate our ladies? Wuld just get females if not, but if they would like a gentleman friend, then happy to get one.
Thanks again for the fab info - we really appreciate it!
Nessie and WhiggerComment
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Hens are quite happy without a cockerel - indeed an over-enthusiastic chap can damage their backs with too much treading! However you could always get a cockerel later if you change your mind - most people are anxious to get rid of them so they are often available FTGH (free to a good home)
Hens without a gentleman friend tend to view their owner as a surrogate cockerel as, apart from his nuptial duties, the cockerel also sees the hens safely to roost at night, ushers them out again in the morning after he has checked for predators, and keeps the peace amongst his harem. A hen in lay will even crouch for you as if you were a cockerel preparing to mount
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Yes - I agree with Eyren on Pekin bantams. I have 3 pekin hens and a cockerel, running with 5 'big hens'. The pekins are funny, friendly little characters.Originally posted by Eyren View Post
They can have a tendancy to go broody, but make great mums if you wanted to hatch your own later on (although in my experience the '70% rule' Eyren mentioned is true too
) One word of warning - because they are 'low axled' and have feathered legs, they are better off avoiding mud
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BTW, I pm'd Whigger with some contact details for a bantam breeder - let me know how you get on!Comment
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Originally posted by Eyren View Post
Thanks very much....we're gonna try and arrange a visit this week.
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Nooooooo, Eyren, I'm getting my new chooks in late May and you STOLE my names! I'm also having a Magrat, bet you've got one of those too.
Last edited by bluemoon; 18-03-2008, 02:04 PM.Into each life some rain must fall........but this is getting ridiculous.
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No Magrat yet - I only have two pekins, and I chose their names because their fluffy bloomers reminded me of Granny Weatherwax's many layers of underwear
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