Egyptian Fayoumis or Buttercups, Does anyone have experience?

[Jenlyn9483]

I have just purchased a pair of each of these guys and this is my first time. I have read abou the breeds online but their is not much info. I was hoping some of you guys could fill me on your pro and cons and personal experiences so I know what to expect with these breeds. I am no novice at chickens but i have always had heavies and bantams and mutts in the past. I plan on keeping each pair in their own little breeding pen when they get older so i can breed and share and sell the incubator eggs since these are both highly rare and/ or endangered breeds in the US.

 

[keljonma]

We had a Buttercup hen named Ellen. She was a beautiful bird who loved to forage our fenced two acres. She was the first of our flock to investigate the first real snow of winter. Ellen was very friendly and chatty. Ellen laid her first white matte finish egg at 5 months and 5 days of age, and laid 40 eggs before she died at 8 months and 23 days of age. She died suddenly and it was a great loss. Right now we are raising our own chicks, but Buttercups are in the plans for next year's flock additions. Here are some pics of Ellen.

As a chick

At 6 weeks - checking out the new hen house

At 6 months - Help! I'm stuck!

At 7 1/2 months - in for a check up

At 8 months 22 days - the day before she died

 

[Chickndaddy]

My Buttercups were great birds. There is is on the smallish side for a standard bird, but they lay very well and are so pretty. A little flighty, but mine were raised with Salmon Faverolles so I think that helped calm them down a bit. Did I mention they were pretty.

Aragorn and Arwen:

Rocky, Aragorn's dad:

Aragorn and the girls:

The girls:

Edited to apologize for the grainy pictures. I lost the originals and most of those are scanned from printed copies...

 

[fallenweeble]

i have one buttercup hen who was a shelter chicken and she is fantastic!!!
she is the bird in my avatar pic.
she is full of personality - very opinionated and friendly. she is always first to approach me when i go into the coop and will jump up on my lap or shoulder if i sit or stand still for any length of time.
in other words, i am PRO BUTTERCUP!!!

 

[Chickenaddict]

Im so glad i came across this thread. I had purchased a hen at a local animal swap last fall the girl i bought her from didn't say what breed she was just that she was over a year old when i got her. I do believe she is a buttercup possibly mixed with a black tail buff japanese. If she is a buttercup then i can say shes a sweety and an excellent mother, she also lays an egg almost every day. Altho she is a bit skiddish once you have her in your hand she just lays down and lets you pet her loving every minute of it.

 

[drom]

I have had a Buttercup for only 8 weeks now and everything everyone is saying here about their personalities is exactly what mine is like. She is always the first one to greet me and she is curious and friendly and independent. She is a cutie- I have to believe that this particular breed just has a nice character. I am raising a very small flock of backyard egg layers, but if I wanted more birds, I would definitely add more buttercups! She will probably start laying in September or October and I am very excited.


LOVE THE PICTURES OF ELLEN!!!! VERY PRETTY BUTTERCUP.

 

[keljonma]

Thanks, Drom!

We originally got a Buttercup pullet chick because of the chick pics on McMurray hatchery's site.. The Incredibles was the grandkids' favorite movie and there was this pic with a chick that comes with its own Incredible's mask! I ask you, how could I not purchase it?!

Ellen became a grandkid favorite as she grew into a beautiful bird. They are looking forward to more next year.

 

[Jenlyn9483]

Thank you all for this wonderful info and pics of buttercups. Of the 6 different pairs of rare birds i purchased from MMH, I think the buttercups will one of my favorites. Sadly a couple days ago right before i moved them from thier large box in the laundry room to thier big brooder outside one of my buttercups was not walking around, just sort of sitting. I imediately checked her out and found out that she doesnt want to walk on one of her legs, she will take a few steps here and there and then just sit. Im SOO saddened by this. So the rest of the brood went outside to the brooder but i kept (her?) in her own little box in the house so i can give her special care. I also kept her mate in here to keep her company. She seems to be fine healthwise other than not wanting to stand up and walk around too much. I dont know what on earth could have happened to her I hope she makes it alright and gets better, I was looking so forward to having more little buttercups in the spring from my own stock

Here she is at 5 days old. She is 11 days old now.

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[paduanchook]

My surprise chick from MM happened to be a buttercup. She has the med class energy for sure. Im raising creves and polish and sultans so if u happened to want her we can work something out. Its not that I dont like her, I do, its just that someone who wants to raise this breed wud appreciate her more. Im in Pensacola area if thats not to far to work something out, Thanx

 

[Moonwalker]

I know one thing.. my Fayoumi roo started crowing when he was about 5 WEEKS old!