GAH Can't decide...Mille Fleur Cochins or Silkies?! HELP!

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Well, I will throw my voice into the ring.........................cochins. I love, love, love them.



My MF are so incredibly smart, sweet and loving

Two of my girls, will "step up" onto my hand or arm when I ask. One of my roosters will jump up onto his small kennel and I carry him around like that (his girls ride inside the kennel to their outdoor area).


Chicks are friendly, curious and just like little bits of fluff (my DH said they look like the tassle on a ski cap

)

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Well, I've only had largefowl but I'm fairly certain these characteristics are universal:

1. They are broody and fierce mothers.
2. The males are even-tempered and will protect their hens. Sometimes at the expense of their handlers arms, legs or small dog...
3. The eggs are large to XL and the eggs from bantams are on the larger side in eggs for bantam birds.
4. They have a beautiful green sheen that just doesn't stop.
5. They have a perfect balance between being downright gawdy and the most elegant creature you've ever seen.
6. They are very friendly and intuitive to a fault.
7. I have NEVER had a picking problem with the breed.
8. Relatively few health problems.
9. They do not have heavy foot feathering like Cochins so muddy feathers are generally not a huge issues.
10. The combs are medium in size and set close to the head. Some birds differ but hens do not have an issue with frostbite. Some males will, especially if measures are not taken to prevent drafts in -10*F temps.
11. They are highly active but do very well in captivity.
12. I have never had a Langshan even attempt to fly out of a pen.
13. They do not have large amounts of fluff so breeding/fertility does not have to be artificial in nature as they can breed successfully naturally.


I've got others!

Are you interested in eggs, chicks or adults? I'm certain I can find SOMEONE who would be more than happy to share!


ETA: See what you've gone and done Sonoran?!

 

[hokankai]

HAHA this is hilarious! I really just need to convince my family to build a "bantam only" coop and then I can add a Langshan to the big girls!

 

[hokankai]

You know what? I think I'm just going to get a pair pair of each and have "1" chicken too many for our coop. That way if it doesn't work out I can just rehome the silkies, or if my family falls in love with them it will convince them to get a separate coop for the bantams (my father already wants a second coop for more eggs...but he hasn't done anything with the idea yet). I'm planning on raising the bantams alongside 3 LF girls (a wellsummer, cuckoo maran, and EE) and so they should all get along fine. Once the chicks hit a good age I'm going to keep them in my rat playpen (which is 4'Lx4'Wx2'H and made up of 1"x1/2" powdercoated wire mesh with a folding lid) inside the coop for a couple of weeks so that everyone gets used to seeing each other. Once they are 12-14 weeks I'll start introducing them a little at a time and watch them carefully. And then I'll set up one of those "sanctuary" areas in the coop with a small door only the little ones can get through just in case.

Hopefully it works out! If not, I have a really good family friend who is getting into chickens and she is interested in taking them if it doesn't work out.

I like this plan the best I think

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Sounds like a plan!

Chicken math: 2+2=100