The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Bikerene on February 25, 2013, 11:53:42 am

Title: Scots dumpy
Post by: Bikerene on February 25, 2013, 11:53:42 am

I am thinking of adding to my existing flock of 3 hens (one Blackrock, 2 Calder Rangers) and I would like to help protect a rareish breed so was drawn to scot dumpies (seeing as I am in Scotland!)  Can anyone offer any advice on this breed- would then mix ok with the existing hens? Are they good layers? Are the prone to going broody  and does anyone know of any well regarded breeder in Scotland.  I am in Stirlingshire but can travel if required. I am open to other suggestions of suitable breeds to!!
Thanks in advance for any advice. :)

Title: Re: Scots dumpy
Post by: mojocafa on February 25, 2013, 12:59:27 pm

Hi
I have dumpys  which generally free range with my other breeds, however, I have them all in breeding pens at the moment in order to get eggs to incubate.
AS of yet I haven't had a broody dumpy although successfully hatched eggs last year that I put under another hen.i have black and cuckoo girls and my cockerel is a stunning cuckoo.
They are reasonable layers, have all started after the winter break.
I don't class myself as a breeder, this is just a hobby.
Mintytwoshoes was selling a trio recently.
Mojo

Title: Re: Scots dumpy
Post by: mintytwoshoes on February 25, 2013, 03:38:04 pm

Hi,
May be able to help, what are you looking to get?
Scots Dumpys lay reasonably sized eggs, probably medium!  I am getting one per hen per day, they started about
a week ago.  They carry a rare gene so hatching eggs can be disappointing with some dying in the shell before
hatch.  It is especially important that the breeding pair are unrelated.   Easy to keep birds but due to their short legs they need some protection from damp grass, etc. Mine live with a variety of other breeds, mostly auracanas, large cochin and a hybrid hen, they are not at the top of the pecking list and I would say they are not agressive, they seem to mix well.
There is a Scots Dumpy society on the web which gives lots of information on the breed.
Kind regards

Title: Re: Scots dumpy
Post by: Bikerene on February 28, 2013, 10:33:57 pm

Thanks Mojo and mintytwoshoes for your replies. Sorry for delay in coming back - IT issues. I do like the idea of a rarish breed but avoiding wet grass in Scotland in not so easy!!

Title: Re: Scots dumpy
Post by: lord flynn on March 01, 2013, 10:29:22 am

try Scots Greys-I love mine and no worries with wet grass.

Title: Re: Scots dumpy
Post by: Birdie Wife on March 02, 2013, 10:24:18 am

Scots Dumpies are my favourite breed  :thumbsup:
 
I've found them exceptionally hardy. We have some very wet ground and it doesn't seem to worry them in the slightest. They're canny enough to stay out of trouble, neither at the top nor bottom of the pecking order but the short legged ones can suffer from scaley leg mite. I don't think they're more prone to it than any other breed, but it can go un-noticed because the legs are short. Feathery legged breeds have the same trouble. They can look like boats on the water when they walk, swaying from side to side  :love:

Title: Re: Scots dumpy
Post by: Bikerene on March 02, 2013, 10:10:46 pm

Thanks you folks for the replies, much appreciated!

Title: Re: Scots dumpy
Post by: Bikerene on March 02, 2013, 10:16:08 pm

Lord Flynn do you have any recommended breeders in Central Scotland? A couple of friends have mentioned Scots Grey as they are lower in numbers - is that right?