Wow - Really want some of these......

[julesapple]

Coronation Sussex....

We've been offered some eggs to put under our Marsh Daisy who's just gone broody. I'm in two minds as we have 15 chicks now, and another 8 due to hatch in a fortnight. When they are all grown up, I can keep two, possibly four in the new chookhouse, and I have no idea which I'd choose.

Jules

[RichmondHens]

Never seen or heard of them before but they are pretty! Just like a light sussex but with a grey (or as they describe these days "lavender") collar and tail. I wonder how they get that? Can you be certain if you hatch eggs they will be that colour as adults?

What are you going to do with all your surplus chicks Jules?

[Flummery]

As in ... 'Coronation Chicken' ? Too bonny to eat though!

[lettucegrow!]

Very pretty,dilemma!

[kirsty b]

Very pretty...must get that run rebuilt so I can have me some more girls

[julesapple]

Never seen or heard of them before but they are pretty! Just like a light sussex but with a grey (or as they describe these days "lavender") collar and tail. I wonder how they get that? Can you be certain if you hatch eggs they will be that colour as adults?

What are you going to do with all your surplus chicks Jules?

Yes, apparently they will be white with lavender or palest buff with lavender - the buff being the rarest as they are a bit of a throwback. The parent birds are owned by a friend of my brother's.

Hatching eggs was something I swore I'd never get into. But it's addictive. Plan A was to raise them all until they are at an age where we can sex them, then find homes for them. To this end we chose unusual breeds with the hope they'll be desirable. I don't anticipate any problems finding homes for pullets, the cockerels I am a bit worried about. We will try our very best to home cockerels but those who don't go anywhere are doomed as soon as they start to crow. We have homes for about 10 birds so far, regardless of their sex.

I'm not happy with eggs in incubators, so we're lucky at present with two broodies. Morag (Pin-up chick) has 8 eggs and is very happy and sat tight. Daisy I'm not too sure about, especially as she'd be on the Coronations, even though we have an incy to back us up if she deserts the clutch.

Has anyone used Marsh Daisies as broodies?

I have a few days to decide, but I really am dithering. The problem is space - where do all these mum & chicks live until the babies are big enough to go at 8 weeks.

Jules

[Shellintons]

Gosh They're pretty. Ermm.... are they bantams? No don't answer that! lol
I have just more or less finished Uni and suddenly realised how many birds I have 'collected' hatched, etc in the last couple of years. I do like the look of them, and am looking at letting my large orps go in favour of keeping bantams, so it was a genuine question, even if I can't really justify any more birds right now ;p
Hope it all works out.

[julesapple]

Gosh They're pretty. Ermm.... are they bantams? No don't answer that! lol

Shellintons, these are LF but I've just read that banties are available.

Just been on the phone to my sister, see if she's still got her old bunny hutches.......

Jules

[Polly Fouracre]

They are really lovely looking birds(and haven't wrecked the garden!?) I would love some hatching eggs when and if available and if they could be sent.

[OverWyreGrower]

We have our broodys/chicks etc in rabbit hutches and runs... nice and easy to move around and clean out.... we picked most of the hutches up from freecycle/small ad type places, and just did minor repairs etc

[Polly Fouracre]

I have just noticed you are in Somerset so I could collect.

[julesapple]

I have just noticed you are in Somerset so I could collect.

Polly, I haven't got any eggs yet. The breeder is a friend of my brother's, and I don't think he'd hand out eggs to everyone (shame, really) I think his idea is that he can see how these eggs do, through the postal journey and fertility rates, hatching success etc.

I'm off to check out Freecycle OWG - eggcellent suggestion!

Jules