Sunday, February 14, 2010

Golden Spangled Hamburg

So, we've been thinking of getting more chicks, but just THINKING. We would definitely have to make some improvements to the yard so the chickens couldn't have access to our patio. Three chickens pooping on the patio is bad, six would be intolerable! (There is a 3 chick minimum when ordering online.)

In researching new chickens, I came across the Golden Spangled Hamburg available from mypetchicken.com and was intrigued. I love the way they look, and they are supposedly excellent egg layers, but they are fliers and may be able to exit our yard.

(Isn't this a fantastically unusual looking bird?)

The other option would be to buy one or two chicks at the feed store, which is probably the better option. We really just want to introduce some new blood to the flock so poor Maude isn't picked on so much.

6 comments:

  1. I've been thinking of ordering chicks, too. I was gonna order from www.mcmurrayhatchery.com or www.cacklehatchery.com, but I think they have a 15 chick minimum. I don't know what's available at your feed store, but if I were gonna get only 2 or three I'd go that way. Are you looking for bantams or large breeds? Black sex links (aka Black stars) are a medium size bird and are excellent layers. They are also generally easy to find. But if you want a beautiful bird, that Hamburg is gorgeous. (Disclaimer: I'm no expert. This is based on my one year of experience and research.) Good luck!!
    ~Randy

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  2. Thanks. Mypetchicken lets you order just three chicks, of any of the breeds they offer. I would love to have two more large breeds that are good layers and docile. Our Barred Rock, Lottie, is a BULLY, so I'd love to get some younger birds that won't pick on Maude, the Easter Egger, who's a little smaller than my other two and still won't lay eggs. We're curious to see if she moves up in the pecking order if she will start laying eggs. (Yes, we are psychoanalyzing our chicken!)

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  3. Feed stores are risky -- they're not great at sexing.

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  4. Good to know Kathy! I really don't want to have to deal with rehoming a rooster since they're illegal for my lot size.

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  5. Black sex links are horrendously mean to other birds in their flock. I do not recommend them

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  6. On the other hand, Hamburgs are very nice birds but tend to be on the lowest end of the pecking order and somewhat flighty. They'll eat out of your hand, but they don't tolerate handling.
    I would love a Gold Spangled Hamburg. Did you know that Chanticleer and Pertelote from the Canterbury Tales were Golden Spangled Hamburgs?

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