Please help, not sure what the problem is...

[rebrascora]

About 8-10 inches tall.... roosters a little more.

 

[WVduckchick]

I would agree 8-10 inches is an average range. I have some that are very petite and also a few hefty ones. Some lay very small eggs, while I also get some eggs that seem way too big for those little girls.

Just took this, so I’ll share here. Broody splash frizzle bantam cochin. I already have more cochins than I need, so I gave her some cream legbar eggs.
Also have a blue frizzle on another set of CL eggs.

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Ok cool! I’m having trouble locating any bantam Cochins in our area....

 

[rebrascora]

They might be called Pekins in Canada too. They are in Australia and New Zealand as well as the UK.

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Ok cool! I’ll search around more. We should be getting more chicken for sale things once spring comes. We don’t really have many places to get adult birds. Unless some one in the area is selling the,.

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Are there any ther breeds that you have found to be better with Mareks? I just can’t locate any people that sell bantam Cochins, and the only place I have found that sells standard Cochins does not offer them sexed. Could you please give a few breeds that you have found to be good with Mareks?

Thanks!

 

[rebrascora]

The only one that I have heard mentioned as being resistant to Marek's is Egyptian Fayoumis but I very much doubt you will find those locally either.

The ones that seem to be most susceptible are silkies and I can't remember if it is seramas or sebrights.... and cream legbars, so steer clear of those. After that it is going to be a bit of a lottery. It very much depends upon what you are looking for in a hen.... ie. egg production, egg colour, broodiness cuteness. feather colour etc. Buying as local as possible would probably be the best bet as they will be more likely exposed to the same strains of pathogens that are in your own flock's environment. Be aware that bringing in new hens is likely to expose your existing flock to new viruses and disease and if they are Marek's carriers, their immune systems could be compromised so the new girls may put them at risk as well as putting the new girl risk.
Personally I would wait until next spring/summer and see if one of your girls goes broody and give her some hatching eggs. There is much less stress on any of them if chicks are raised in the flock, than if you are introducing new adult birds and less likelihood of them bringing disease with them. You do need to be prepared to deal with the little boys that will result though or find someone who will, when they reach adolescence or pen them separately. Barnyard mix hatching eggs from a local source would be my choice for hybrid vigour. There is no immediate rush to get more birds though. In many respects, giving things time to stabilise without adding new variables is a good thing. See how this plays out and if you get a broody hen next year then think about getting some hatching eggs. Kind of put it in the lap of the gods.

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Ok thank you! We will definitely be waiting until spring, just looking around to see if we can locate anything now.

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Ok I have some questions regarding breeds.
How are
-White or Brown Leghorns
-Easter Eggers/Ameraucanas
-Black Star/ISA Brown
-d’uccles
These are the breeds that are consistently on the classifieds and for sale around my area. Most common I find are the Black Stars and ISA Browns, and sometimes the Easter Eggers. The Leghorns are occasionally up.tye d’uccles just because I think they’re super cute and we had one that nfortunately passed away as a chick.
I’ll be keeping my eye out for the Cochins as well!
So how are these breeds with Mareks? Are any of them, like the Silkies/Polish more susceptible to Mareks? Thanks!!
@rebrascora

 

[rebrascora]

None of those are particularly susceptible to Marek's, but that doesn't of course mean that they will not get it.
You need to give some consideration to why you are getting more hens when you choose breed.... ie what your goal is? You will be exposing these new birds to risk and the new birds are also a risk to your existing flock, so it is important to think about why you are taking that risk.
Do you want lots of egg production? Different coloured birds or different coloured eggs, or birds that will go broody and raise you some chicks, or even "lap dog" pet chickens? Will you be free ranging or keeping them penned? These are all considerations when adding to your flock.
Out of those you mentioned the D'uccles are similar to pekins (bantam cochins) and will probably go broody and make good pets. Leghorns are flighty birds with quirky personalities and don't care to be touched but are usually the first to greet you and see what you have for them. They do better with more space but be prepared for an egg hunt if you free range! They lay very well and the brown ones are very pretty. I've only had exchequer Leghorns which don't lay as well but I like their black and white flecks. Of the sex links you mentioned, Black Stars will probably outlive ISA Browns which are sadly particularly prone to reproductive ailments once they get beyond 2 years old, but they are lovely friendly birds. I really liked the Black Stars that I have come across and I've even had them go broody and raise chicks on occasion. I haven't had any since I got Marek's though. I don't have any direct experience with EEs. I think they are a bit of an American "invention" and I'm not sure we have them here as such.