Some questions on some uncommon breeds

[chickenchick12]

Hi everyone! A very dum puppy killed three out of four of our two month old 4-H chicks

. We need replacements! I have decided to look into some rare and uncommon breeds. Here they are:

1.Lemon Cuckoo Orpington
I have my heart set on getting one of these beautiful birds. Do the hens have the barred pattern or is that only seen in the roos?

2.Lavender Orpington
What color are their eggs?

3.Black Java
How rare are they exactly? Are they hardy to hot summer/cold winter climates?

4.Swedish Flower
Is it a registered breed. I have seen a variety of different colors but what color are they?

Oh, and well we're at it, any good ways to sex chicks at three or four days old? We have plenty of roosters without some pullets that mysteriously change into cocks at two months old

.

I appreciate the help.

 

[1muttsfan]

All lemon cuckoos are barred.

All Orps lay tan eggs.

Swedish Flower Hens are a landrace breed that has some variability in color and feathering. The are not APA registered.

The only chicks easily sexed are either of the autosexing breeds, or sexable hybrid crosses such as black and red sex links.

 

[chickenchick12]

Thanks! I'm glad someone knows their birds. Another quick question. Would three day old chicks, one Wyandotte cockerel, and two day old poults mix well? Thanks again!

P.S.
I will be getting the chicks on the 21. Cross your fingers that they're pullets.

 

[1muttsfan]

Usually it is best to keep young, small chicks away from those that are older and larger, as the bigger ones will pick on the littles. If they are more than a week or so apart in age you usually have to wait until they are closer to the same size to combine them, or at least until the smaller ones can protect themselves - at least 6 weeks or older.

Turkeys are susceptible to a disease called Blackhead, which can be carried by chickens. Young birds are the most susceptable. While not present in all areas, it is the reason why turkeys and chickens are often kept separate. Poults also have a much higher dietary protein requirement, which is wasteful if fed to chicks.

 

[1muttsfan]

Good luck with the pullets!

 

[chickenchick12]

Thanks! I have yet another question; Is a Lemon Cuckoo Orpington a registered breed? Also, any good ideas for making two poults stop peeping? They are SOSOSOSO annoying! Thanks again, 1muttsfan!

 

[1muttsfan]

Lemon Cuckoo is not one of the allowable color varieties according to the APA SOP (Standard of Perfection)

See here for breed discussions https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/613857/the-american-orpington-fanciers-thread

Do they peep at night too? If so using a red light bulb or a black heat bulb instead of a regular bulb may help with that. Sometimes you will have one or two that just are very vocal, usually outgrow it.