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Post by painter on Oct 18, 2008 19:53:42 GMT 8
Can anyone tell me if show birds are always bigger than their regular counterparts? I went to the Kelmscott Show today and the wyandottes (heavy) that I saw were absolutely huge, much bigger than I expected them to be - I doubt that my 9 year old could pick them up or carry them if she needed to.
Even the light sussex and some of the bantams were a bit bigger than I expected, so I am wondering if this is normal for show birds?
I'm now unsure about what chickens to get are mid size that fit my "friendly, pretty pet that lays eggs" requirement. I'd go with bantams but I don't think my cats would respect them.
Michelle
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Post by horses7 on Oct 18, 2008 21:20:29 GMT 8
With show birds there are recommended weights that they should be. for Wyandottes a rooster should be 3.85 kg and the hen 2.95kg and the light sussex are suppose to be heavier still for the rooster 4.10 kg and the hen 3.20 kg so yes they are quite big birds, the heavy soft feathers usually have the better temperament as the light soft feather breeds are usually quite a bit flightier.
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Post by painter on Oct 19, 2008 0:25:31 GMT 8
I never would have thought that there was so much involved in choosing a few chooks:) The more I find out the more I change my mind and get confused!
I still really like the laced wyandottes though. I have found someone selling a young wyandotte and an australorpe and wonder if those two would be ok with a plymouth rock, isabrown or hy-line?
Ooops, I'm hijacking my own thread!
Michelle
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Post by beck on Oct 19, 2008 11:34:34 GMT 8
Hi Michelle H7 is the best for advise but the wyandottes are a lovely natured chook as are the austalorp i have not got any plymouth rock ( yet ) but i find my hi line grey/brown tend to pick on a lot of the others and as a result i had to remove my silverlace wyandotte from the main coop as a result of the pecking she was receiving ( they attacked her head and comb constantly ) but i have to say she is my fave easily handled gentle natured another to look at is the light sussex and the barnvelder also lovely natured and very placid i hope this helps here is my silver lace with my sussex
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Post by painter on Oct 20, 2008 8:03:53 GMT 8
Thanks Beck! I am hoping to get either the plymouth rock or the light sussex as the third chook (I'm picking the other two up today or tomorrow (I am such a sad case I am nearly hyperventilating with excitement!).
After more research, I am happy about the bigger birds, and I think they will be a lot safer with the dogs and cats (the cats respect magpies, and the magpies will walk up to the cats bowl and eat out of it when the cat is staring at them 20cm away).
I would guess that the bigger birds are a little safer from hawks and eagles than smaller birds and bantams.
Michelle
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