Charlie and his ladies

[kirsty b]

Have given a Light Sussex Bantam a home with two of his girls. He did belong to a colleague but her Welsummer cockerel was battering him.

His name is Charlie. They have been introduced to the girls, who have had a few pecks at them and they are not as tame as my ex-bats so I reckon perseverance is needed. They won't be freeranging when I'm down the plot unless I can catch them to put them back in the run when I go home.

[RichmondHens]

They are sweet. They look very happy scratching around in the shavings. I have LS bantams too. The girls are very good broodies.

[kirsty b]

Oh good! I'd much prefer chicks the way mother nature intended. I found this incubator business as stressful as it was fun/exciting!!

[RichmondHens]

Well you will get your wish with Sussexes. It's not a case of IF they go broody, just WHEN. Mine seem to be broody on and off most of the year.

[its hilly]

Nice birds Kirsty. Reckon patience and bribery will soon have them settled. And LS x ex-bat should give you nice layers when you get eggs

[Glutton4...]

Congrats Kirsty, they look lovely, and well settled already.

[mr darcy]

ahhh, they're really cute and they all match!!

[kirsty b]

The odd chase and scuffle this morning but no bloodshed. I just chuck them in together and let them get on with it.

My colleague told me Charlie had not been crowing, but he has this morning. I don't think its overly loud, but I like the sound of cock crow, and don't find it offensive. Nearest house is about 100yds away, and there is lots of dense trees/undergrowth between me and them. Hoping it muffles any noise.

[kirsty b]

Help!!!!

Charlie has been crowing - but so has one of his 'girls'!!

Anybody want a LS bantam cock? I can't keep two. I just hope the other one is a lady.

[RichmondHens]

Oh Kirsty! It's funny though, my husband looked at your photos this morning and said "she's got two cocks there". I wasn't sure, but you obviously have!

Anyway, why can't you keep both? They will probably rub along together OK. I keep two LS together (not brothers, and different ages) and they tolerate each other. They are quite placid little bantams.

[kirsty b]

My only worry is noise really, I'd be quite happy to keep him and pickle wants to name him Rocky. I'm terrified of complaints. My chooks are on allotment on industrial estate, and like I said above I'm surrounded by derelict plots and masses of thick undergrowth. I'm hoping it will muffle any crowing. Not too close to houses thankfully.

I have covered window in shed where they sleep so its still a bit darker in the morning and they don't come out at first light. Not so bad now, but in summer I can imagine peeps won't like being woken at 4am. Some people just like moaning too though!

EDIT: had a brief panic at thought of two boys!!