Shetland Hens

[Araucana Nest]

I received 8 at the end of March. Five turned out to be cockerels so I have my pick for the three pullets. They are about the same size as my Welsummers at about the same age. The photo shows two of the cockerels. There is a significant variation among them. Some are all black, while some are black with red highlights and others black with white highlights. There is also a variation on body shape and height among the cockerels and pullets.

 

[Araucana Nest]

I moved my young flock of 1:3 to a more appropriate coop this morning and separated the extra cockerels. Here are a couple of photos of the pullets

I have a thread about my Shetlands and will continue writing about them there (once I locate it).

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I moved my young flock of 1:3 to a more appropriate coop this morning and separated the extra cockerels. Here are a couple of photos of the pulletsView attachment 2737320
View attachment 2737319

I have a thread about my Shetlands and will continue writing about them there (once I locate it).

Awesome, thank you! They look a bit like Polish mixes. Please post a link to your other thread when you find it!

 

[Araucana Nest]

Awesome, thank you! They look a bit like Polish mixes. Please post a link to your other thread when you find it!

The cockerel I chose to start with reminds me of a Polish.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

The cockerel I chose to start with reminds me of a Polish.

I just turned down the 4 month old Shetland Hen pullet I had offered to me for $100, which if I was planning to breed them, might make sense. Seemed like a lot for a single bird just for the novelty.
Maybe one day in the future!
I still think they are a very interesting breed and I love their origin story.

 

[Araucana Nest]

I just turned down the 4 month old Shetland Hen pullet I had offered to me for $100, which if I was planning to breed them, might make sense. Seemed like a lot for a single bird just for the novelty.
Maybe one day in the future!
I still think they are a very interesting breed and I love their origin story.

Sorry to hear. They are very fun and curious.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Sorry to hear. They are very fun and curious.

Went to pick up the same age Marans (he has several gorgeous breeds he works with) from the breeder and he GAVE me the Shetland Hen!
Photos just now in their quarantine space.
So excited. She is super cute and definitely reminds me of a Polish. He did source his breeding flock from GFF and this one is mostly black with some bronze around her neck similar to yours.

 

[Yuki00]

Greetings from Austria,
I have a total number of seven hens. They are relativly small. One of them startet laying now, shes 30 weeks old, but unfortunately the Egg is brown not green. But I heard that this is normal for some Green laying hens.
The hens are very very curious and allways come to me when I am outside, sometimes I am even abel to pet them.
The roosters are nice to humans but they dont get along with other roosters very easily.. one of them fought my Brahma rooster and won within Seconds, eventhough hes about three times bigger. Also the roosters craw alot.
But I have to say that this breed ist very beautyfull and the character of the hens is very loving.

 

[Perris]

hello @Yuki00 , welcome to BYC

Your Shetland birds are indeed beautiful. I hope to get some in the coming year

 

[Pinky56]

I hatched three this spring from a greenfire rainbow layer pack, but all of them are roosters, and there are two different types! I'm not sure if I want to try again for a hen since they are so expensive. I'd like to keep one for making olive eggers, and I'm hoping maybe someone local has hens and needs a rooster or two. Does anyone know what roosters are supposed to look like with this breed? View attachment 2500610View attachment 2500611

Wondering what all of you Shetland Hen owners think of your birds?
I have the opportunity to get a sexed pullet from a local breeder (they have lines from Greenfire I believe).
Egg size? How often do they lay? When do they start laying? How much do the hens weigh? I heard they are a bit bigger than a bantam. Temperament? Broodiness? Get along with other breeds?
I find this breed quite fascinating!