~The Sapphire Gem~ A Breed's Chat Thread

[Dinoroar]

Mine have flown up onto the roof of the garage. They are great birds but not easily contained.

 

[gimmie birdies]

Mine is too fat to fly.

 

[springvalley123]

I only managed to keep two (had to reduce numbers and everyone wanted the sapphire gems), but they were nothing like my andalusians. The gems would hop onto the 4 ft tall compost fence just like the turkens and amberlinks, and they weren't quite as docile as the amberlinks, but nothing like andalusians. I got mine from Hoover's, I find their birds are calmer than some other hatcheries' of the same breed though. I'm surprised by some of the others' experiences, but it's good to be forewarned!

 

[fawnda]

Hi Gemmers - I am considering getting some Gems, but the Andalusian background has me nervous. I just had to get rid of my Isbars because they were managing to get over fences to roost in my neighbor's tree. Is this breed happy (or heavy enough) to stay on the ground and easily confined? All our neighbors have dogs, so I can't risk an agile fence climber.

Umm, yes, my Sapphire does like to get out and do her own thing, then hustles back to the penned area. I got a new nylon fence with a top that she can't land on first (unstable) and that has done the trick so far.

 

[fatcatx]

One of my sapphires cleared a 6' fence without touching it at 22-24 weeks old. I gave the lot to my wife's uncle, he regularly finds them on his 7' deer fence. Not sure if they are stepping up or flying directly up. There's a 4x6 around the top of his fence around the garden area. They set up there to preen and nap.

Ugh- that's what I was afraid of. I guess the Gem is not for me. I've got too many places in my yard where they could easily hop scotch up and over. Bummer.

 

[Dinoroar]

Ugh- that's what I was afraid of. I guess the Gem is not for me. I've got too many places in my yard where they could easily hop scotch up and over. Bummer.

Too bad that’s a deal breaker because they’re good birds. I wonder how they differ from Andalusians personality wise. The gems have made me curious to try some.

 

[MissE]

Mine seem to be toward the bottom of the pecking list. Egg laying is decent, and the cold doesn't seem to stopping them. They are a little shy and don't really want to be touched. Pretty easy birds for the most part.

 

[AuntieD]

I got a few SR Saphirre Gem and the same amount EE pullets almost 2 weeks ago. The EE chicks have been more aggressive to the smaller bantams I got on the same day.
I have noticed a couple of the gems in the last few days that like to "mother" the little bantams. They try to gather them up under their wings. If I am lucky I will end up with some good sapphire hens. I love the beautiful dove gray color and the little bandit mask faces.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Just found this thread. I have a sapphire gem named Safaia, and she’s great! Currently she is 8 weeks old! Just a few pictures of her as she grew.

 

[Mama_in_the_Dell]

Hi Gemmers - I am considering getting some Gems, but the Andalusian background has me nervous. I just had to get rid of my Isbars because they were managing to get over fences to roost in my neighbor's tree. Is this breed happy (or heavy enough) to stay on the ground and easily confined? All our neighbors have dogs, so I can't risk an agile fence climber.

I’ve never had a problem with any of my chickens getting over my low fence. I’ve had many sapphire gems. My guess is because it is a picket fence with the points and maybe that scares them. I even have appenzellers that have flown up to the roof of a shed on up on the railings of the deck with ease. Now if there is a opening they will go out but they don’t fly over.