Are the exotic breeds worth the money?

[pkeeler]

And one thing I never understood.... if it's 100°F out, why do I still need 25 for warmth?

I would guess it is because they are sent air mail. Whatever the temp at the ground, it is very cold at 30,000 feet in cargo.​

 

[keljonma]

Quote:
I only have 1 Lakenvelder hen. She is now over 2 years old.

Martha Washington, our Silver Lakenvelder hen, was the first to lay an egg in our flock at 4 months 18 days. Her eggs are a beautiful white/pink tint with matte finish. She laid 90 eggs her first year, which was a bit less than our Gold Penciled Hamburg hen, who started laying a month later.

So for us, Martha hasn't been the #1 egg producer. She is a very slow molter, which may have something to do with that. Unlike some of our hens, who seem to drop all their feathers at the same time, Martha takes a full 2 months to molt, losing a feather or two at a time. But we keep her because she is beautiful, a great forager, friendly, calm and healthy.

 

[FlockofFun]

From my experience, the cochin bantam hens lay pretty well (not as well as the big laying hens, but pretty well considering their size). I love the little eggs. The birds also sell pretty well, they are my favorite.

 

[keljonma]

Quote:
I would guess it is because they are sent air mail. Whatever the temp at the ground, it is very cold at 30,000 feet in cargo.

I understand if you're ordering from a hatchery that isn't close to you. But I live in Ohio and Meyer is in Ohio. They certainly have no need to air freight chicks when I can drive there, pick them up, and return home in half a day's drive.

 

[silkieluver_07]

I ordered 6 silkie chicks from Ideal and they sent 6 packing peanuts. You can also pay for insurance so you don't get extras. It's only a dollar or two more.

 

[chicksgalore]

I have 4 silkies coming from Ideal the end of this week plus some other breeds. I really hope I get at least 1 silkie hen!!

 

[Badhbh]

I think out of my first 15 silkies, I got 3 hens.
No lie.
I can't do straight run any more

 

[chicksgalore]

Oh boy! That sounds like great odds!

Are silkies ever offered as hens or roos when first hatched I wonder?

 

[Badhbh]

I've only ever seen Silkies as straight run, unless you want to order from mypetchicken and pay extra to have them sexed.

 

[LilPeeps]

Vent sexing bantams is dangerous, and I've heard MPC's sexing isn't too accurate. If you're looking for a certain number of pullets, order twice that number and you should get around half pullets.