Game Cocks & Hens

[IrishM]

Hi Everybody,
I am new to the forum and new to owning my own chickens (I don't currently own any but helped my neighbors care for theirs growing up). I have a friend who breeds game birds. They are supposed to from a very expensive blood line (I know he sells them for large amounts of money). He heard that I was looking for chickens and offered me a few young hens. We only want two or three hens for eggs. My question is: Is there any problem with game hens? Are they more difficult to manage then any other hen? He told me that they are more athletic then the chickens I am looking at (barred plymouths). But his birds are very pretty. Do you see any problem for a beginner having game hens for eggs???

Thanks!

IrishM

 

[Bisqit&Gravy]

I have old english game bantams. The rooster and hen were the 1st I got. The hen runs to me whenever I go in there and I carry her around with me. They are both super nice. I even have two little roos that I hatched a raised and they are freindly too.
I guess it would depend on what he raises/sells them for and how they were handled. If they were treated nice, they should be nice.

 

[seedcorn]

When I had them, they weren't the best of layers. They forage very well. Other than that, no problem.

 

[steven11788]

hello, i raise gamefowl. the hens are great and can be tamed. but definatly hard to do so.. the are great foragers. can live in high temps and humid places.. if you have a coop make shure they have a large run, cause of the gameness in them. they love to run and are flighty. louder than normal breeds. I have five hens, loose that sleep in the top of 50 foot trees, i jsut keep them watered, and fed. hope this helped and by the way what bloodline are these fowl

oh to answer you question except during molting my gamehens give me each a egg a day, not large eggs though

 

[steven11788]

hey Irish M where ya from

 

[IrishM]

Steven,
Thanks for the reply. I cannot remember the name of the blood line, but I will find out for you tomorrow. I do have to be concerned about their ability to hop fences, which from what I understand they can do better then the average chicken. They are such pretty chickens, I am just worried about chasing them around the neighborhood if one should jump the fence. It sounds like they may have this desire to run built into them.

Thanks@

IM
Westerville, OH

 

[Wolf-Kim]

The desire to run is probably more related to their drive to move. Game breeds were bred to move and perform, so that energy is there no matter what they are used for. I would imagine anyway. I would think it is just like the performance bloodlines in dogs, they were bred to move and they are going to move whether it was for their original purpose or not. Make sense?

-Kim

 

[Bisqit&Gravy]

After reading the other replies my guys must just be wierd...haha. I got them as adults and they warmed up to me really quick. The hen is all over me right away and I usually have to sit down for the roo to come over but he eats out of my hand. Mine are not flighty and don't run all over the place. If someone they don't know goes in there, they run but not with us. Maybe I just got lucky??

My chickens have their own yard in my back yard. Since I have 6 dogs that go out, we used nets to cover the top to keep them in. The nets work great since we don't have a problem with stray dogs/cats anymore...several strands of electric fence around the outside of the main yard We found a dead opossum on it a few days ago so I guess predators beware.


They do like being high up!! Now that's its hot outside, they spend the night in the top of the shrubs/trees in their yard.

 

[prariechiken]

Some of my freeranged game hens will come right up to me and hop up on my leg. Now these are hens that once they were feathered out, they were turned out on the farm to run free. It all depends on how ya raise them. They will know where the feed comes from after all. If you are worried about them flying out, you could always clip their wings just in case. Gamefowl have such great, strong personalities they are truley a joy to raise. They are hardier than most breeds and are quite disease resistent as well as very able to take care of themselves out on their own with very little suppliment needed in the warm months (depending on how much of an area you have for them to roam). Whatever you decide, be sure to research before you get any breed of fowl. I am sure your friend who raises these will be more than happy to help you in any way possible. Good luck with whatever you decide....

Blue game hens

Splash game hens

 

[prariechiken]

...oops almost forgot....gamechicken eggs make awesome omelets....