anyone got any Sultans?

[Chickenrandomness]

anyone? i'm starting to look into them, are they good pets? i'd keep about 2 bantams of them in a hutch in my garage, with a run with turf, would they be good for starters? has anyone have any expericence getting some from ideal?

 

[IwannaBEaMERMAID]

i will, soon, when i order them from ideal

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

They're my favorite breed. Very, VERY docile birds. But also very friendly. They're not hardy though, so they need more protection and if allowed to free-range at all, they need some extra watching. Just like other cresteds, they can have a hard time seeing. But from the sound of your setup, that doesn't seem like it would be a problem. They like confined space better than free-range, to that works. They take to human company very well. They make excellent pets.

Think you're able to make room for at least 3? The only reason I bring it up is because if one passes away or needs to be removed, Sultans have a hard time adjusting if they're put with other breeds in a rush, and not integrated slowly. I've tried rushing my pullet into the flock and it was a pain in the butt. It took her quite a few weeks to feel comfortable with the mess of flighty, active, and mean breeds I have. They don't like to stand up for themselves unless their bully is smaller than they are.

I got mine from Meyer Hatchery.

 

[Chickenrandomness]

i'd be getting them from ideal, i would be only getting sultains (for now

) and i guess i could fit 3 in the small hutch, if you want to see what kind, go to the other topic thing that says 'Help! i can find the "perfect breed"! or how ever i spelled it, its on page 2

 

[sumatra]

I had 4 last summer, until a friend came and fell in love with them. I second everything that The Polish princess says about them. My rooster knew what it meant when I entered the pen with my net and he would attack it. Very brave of him, since it was the scariest thing he knew of. He and the hens did well outside as long as they could be in thier own little group. Unfortunately, they didn't mix well at the new place and a rooster killed him. I got them from mcmurray in a mixed 'top-hat' group. They looked so small and delicate next to the Polish! Someday I will have them again.

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

I'd just be careful not to cram. Right now, I have almost double the amount of birds I should have in my coop, so it's been pretty squished.

You don't want to deal with that. That in itself can cause some problems. But on the upside, Sultans are small birds. I have a large fowl hen and she is pretty small. Had a banty roo and he was one of my smallest bantams!

Banties need at least 2 square feet per bird, I think. Not sure of the dementions on that hutch. Try to do the math I guess?

 

[Chickenrandomness]

i have done the math a few times, its about 7.5 square feet.

 

[Chickenrandomness]

i just read, that sultans can fly 6ft. in the air! i need to buy much higher chicken wire!

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

My roo was able to fly over the 6 foot fence we have if he really, really wanted to. My LF pullet barely jumps at all. They CAN fly that high, but from what I've been told, they like to be stationary....But better safe than sorry.

 

[Chickenrandomness]

i think i'll get the 4ft. chicken wire, and use my 2.5 chicken wire on the top to make it 6.5