blue andalusian hens

[kywest]

I just came home with two blue andalusian chicks, about 5wks old, one white, one blue. They are beautiful! But now i read that they are less than stellar egg layers (should have done more research before being taken in by some pretty feathers Does anyone have experience with this breed? Just wondering what to expect... Figure I can always get a few comets or orps in the spring if egg laying is not their forte.
My 8yr old DD has been assisting me with "mauling" them daily to tame them down, as i also read that they are "flighty". White one is decidedly bolder than the blue - will eat out of our hands - but we want them as tame as possible ALso, how is their cold hardiness? We're in central Ohio - some winter days in the teens!
Better get back to coop building instead of puttering around - the girls are going to quickly out-grow their dog kennel!
Thanks!

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

They are very similar to Minorcas. Minorcas are the next-best white egg laying breed (Leghorns being first).

The Andalusian is good in hot/warm weather but you will need to take precautions in the winter to keep the comb from being frostbitten. If the combs are fairly large, get some IcyHot (cream, not the gel) and rub it onto the combs and wattles. Then, take some Vaseline and smear it on the combs and wattles. They will smell like IcyHot, but the increased bloodflow to the combs will keep the comb from freezing. You may need to repeat the process every night depending on how long it stays cold. You could also put a heat lamp into the coop, but it just depends on what you would like to do.

 

[herechickchick]

My Blue Andalusians laid more than any of my other chickens, 5 to 6 eggs a week when they were laying.