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which chickens are smaller than light sussex's?

7 replies

Inthebeginning · 23/04/2013 21:31

We have been offered some chickens. There are four but we can only take two.
At the moment we have a light Sussex who rules the roost and a buff orpington.
I think it would be best if new hens were smaller than ours.
The four to choose from are silkie, speckeldy hen, brahma and a copper maran.
I'm thinking the Brahma would be too big?
I would love the silkie and have been told that marans are very friendly so do you think we should go for those?
Please help , I'm faffing!

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Inthebeginning · 23/04/2013 21:36

Just reread that. It is a massive faffy post. Apologies!

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mindingalongtime · 24/04/2013 09:54

Speckeldys are small, I have one, and she lays very small lovely eggs too. I have a light sussex, but she is not my biggest chook, the columbine is big, she's huge, so is the bluebelle. Marans are quite small too, I have a black one. Not much help!

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Inthebeginning · 24/04/2013 20:43

That's brilliant thank you!

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LilyBolero · 26/04/2013 09:17

Our Speckeldy is huge! Silkies are tiny, but you might have a problem introducing her to an existing flock. Brahmas are massive but gentle. What are you keeping them in? I think brahmas are too big for eglus...

I think I'd probably go for the speckeldy and the maran, you should get quite dark eggs from them which will contrast with the paler eggs from the light sussex and the orpy.

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mindingalongtime · 26/04/2013 10:07

Both my Speckeldys have been small, even at 5 years old, my new one looks as she will be small too, my other new ones all bought togeher POL are huge now and all laying. The Speckeldy laid first at 18 weeks, we had omelettes last night with 8 of her eggs as opposed to just 4 of the Light Sussex eggs!

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Inthebeginning · 27/04/2013 10:23

Thanks everyone. Our friend has said if we get the 4 and then choose which we want and he'll have the others. I desperately want the silkie but yes am worried the others will bully it so we'll see.

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Inthebeginning · 04/05/2013 22:31

We've ended up with all four! The silkie is ferocious. No way they'll bully her!
When we went to look at them they were, not neglected, but not well looked after. She said one was moulting but the others are pecking her new feathers out as I don't think they have enough calcium. They never stopped eating and freaked out to be in the garden as they'd only ever been in a tiny run.
So we've de-mited them, gave them worm treatment, put peck away on them all and are now crossing our fingers! Our two are sulking but hopefully they'll all settle! X