New Keeper in Foggy England

Hi Sirs and Madams!

I'm a tenant on a rural estate and my landlord and his boyfriend trade chickens as a sideline enterprise (amongst so many other crazy schemes). One day I came home and as I drove through the farmyard I saw three awesome, ridiculous-looking excuses for chickens.

3 little pekin bantams had been dropped off by a family from the suburbs after their neighbour complained to the council. They'd been popped in with all the large fowl birds and were now getting chased around something rotten. They were escaping the unwanted attention by squeezing under the gate and waddling off around the car park, yard, lane... luckily the weather was still dry but I knew they'd be a total mess as soon as the autumn rain started. I'm a soft touch, I've always been keen on chickens and after chatting to the landlord's partner he gave me them for free.

I had some spare shiplap planks lying around so I spent a few evenings knocking a basic little bantam house together, but by the time I'd finished, the littlest lemon/buff coloured one had vanished. This left me with the black speckled (Squeak) and the lavender (Bubble). The landlord's partner then found another random 'bantam' cockerel and gifted him to me. I have no idea what he is, but he's pretty and incredibly tame, a grey/lavender colour with a goldish saddle - now coming through with black splashes. I've called him Smokey Joe and he's definately my favourite.

I then got gifted ANOTHER cock, this time another pekin and I think he's 'partridge' or at least he looks similar. I've called him Henry but I've not taken any photos of him yet.



Squeak was the boss, but Henry was having none of it and is now in charge. She was a little sod for bullying Bubble (on the floor) when it was just the two of them.


Smokey Joe having a drink. I love this guy the most, but he is an utter coward. He is right at the bottom of the pecking order, but he doesn't get hassled by the girls anymore since Henry arrived. He's still last to eat in the morning. I'll top up the feeder and let them all out in the morning but he hides behind my wellies and cries whilst the others eat.

I just thought I'd share as I'm at the beginning of my chicken adventure. I've bought a massive quantity of reclaimed aviary pannels that need re-framing so I can make them a dedicated, fox-proofed run, but for now they are in the back paddock fenced off from the large fowl by nylon netting. Which the large fowl sometimes knock down to steal their feed and I come home to see Henry trying to do battle with a massive light sussex (that seemed oblivious to him tbh).

I realise that I probably won't be able to keep both boys together forever. Smokey Joe will probably realise that he's a lot bigger than Henry one day and he'll stand his ground, but I'll cross that bridge soon.

Cheers for looking,

Heather

Howdy! What a lovely introduction! Glad you joined!

G'Day

I agree, lovely introduction and welcome.

You instantly got my attention at "3 little pekin bantams", my favourites! I have 3, they are so sweet.

Edited to add: sorry, I thought it in my head but then forgot to type it; your chickens are gorgeous, I like Smokey Joe.

Glad you joined us!

Beautiful birds! Smokey Joe looks like a bantam Wyandotte mix to me.

Welcome to BYC! We're glad to have you.

I agree with Bantamlover21, Smokey Joe is probably a Wyandotte mix.

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone

I'll take some more updated pics of Smokey Joe if it's not raining tomorrow. His tail is coming through more and more every day and there are more black splashes now.

I'll look at some wyandotted pics for reference too!

Welcome to BYC! Glad you decided to join us. You have some beautiful birds, but you're definitely going to need to do some rooster re-homing. The recommended ratio of roosters to hens is 1 rooster for every 10 hens. As they mature, too many roosters will become very hard physically on your hens (not to mention their fights with each other), over-breeding them, biting and plucking the feathers from their necks and backs, battering them, and potentially, seriously injuring them. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Cheers.

Hello and Welcome To BYC!

I've been looking at some photos of wyandotte bantams and Smokey Joe definately looks like a wyandotte cross of some sort. Well spotted everyone

See, I'm a bit torn on who to keep.

Henry is the same breed as the girls, he won't take stick off anyone, he'll take on a large light sussex without a scrap of fear, he looks like your sterotypical cock bird with beetle-green sickle tail feathers and he treats me with indifference. If I try to stroke him, he seems indignant and aloof.

Smokey Joe is really friendly and twines around your feet like a cat, you can pick him up and if you transfer him to one hand he stays lying on his side on your hand. He's of questionable origin/breed but it looks like there's a lot of wyandotte bantam in him. He's still growing out his tail. He's currently at the bottom of the pecking order but on days where the large fowl have knocked the fence down, the hens can be found following him around whilst Henry naps in the coop or fights with large fowl.

So who do I go for? I'm leaning towards Smokey but he is a bit soft in the head and he's a random mutt.

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Gorgeous birds!

Make yourself at home here and we do welcome you to our flock!