The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: doricdragons on August 21, 2015, 08:44:48 am

Title: Anyone keep Shetland hens?
Post by: doricdragons on August 21, 2015, 08:44:48 am

I am in Aberdeenshire and would like to get some Shetland hens as I think that they would cope well with the weather here. Do any of you keep them and have any birds or hatching eggs to sell?

Title: Re: Anyone keep Shetland hens?
Post by: Kimbo on August 22, 2015, 12:09:58 pm

Im bumping this query but looks like you might be out of luck Doricdragon 

Title: Re: Anyone keep Shetland hens?
Post by: shygirl on August 22, 2015, 01:06:07 pm

why not asking a breeder in Shetland for some eggs.
google burland croft.

Title: Re: Anyone keep Shetland hens?
Post by: devonlady on August 22, 2015, 04:44:27 pm

I have never heard of Shetland hens! What are they like?

Title: Re: Anyone keep Shetland hens?
Post by: bigchicken on August 22, 2015, 05:53:29 pm

Shetland hens are a hotch pot none standard breed of no particular colour that may or may not lay blueish eggs. There is no standardised type but an araucana type bird black with gold markings on neck has been mentioned. The breed, description can differ depending on the soarce.

Title: Re: Anyone keep Shetland hens?
Post by: shygirl on August 22, 2015, 10:05:40 pm

Doonies used to have them. Not sure if they still do.

Title: Re: Anyone keep Shetland hens?
Post by: sarah angus on August 22, 2015, 10:15:28 pm

Hi there, someone in north yorkshire selling shetland hen hatching eggs on preloved, just type in shetland hens on poultry section. Her chickens look v interesting, black with tuft on head like a silkie and lay green eggs.
Might get some.

Title: Re: Anyone keep Shetland hens?
Post by: doricdragons on August 23, 2015, 01:25:19 pm

Thank you all for your replies!  :)

I have contacted someone in Yorkshire who has them. It does seem to be more of a landrace than a breed. The ones that I have seen photos of look quite similar to Cream Legbars. I don't know if I should get any or not, I just though that they might do well here if they are a hardy breed. Mind you Araucanas, which I already have, are quite tough and they are blue eggers.

Title: Re: Anyone keep Shetland hens?
Post by: bigchicken on August 23, 2015, 09:44:29 pm

Have you ever considered Scots Grey's hardy and a good looking bird who can lay a fair amount of eggs and cockerels make descent table birds, also a standardized breed so pretty much you are guaranteed they will be similar and they are a rare breed so you will be helping to preserve them.

Title: Re: Anyone keep Shetland hens?
Post by: smhowie on August 24, 2015, 10:14:44 am

I think green tree farm advertise they sell on their web site

Title: Re: Anyone keep Shetland hens?
Post by: doricdragons on August 24, 2015, 04:30:56 pm

I did look at Scots Greys. I know someone locally with birds. I will probably wait until next year now, I want to get information about various breeds before I decide. At the moment, I have Marans and Araucanas, both of which I like very much.

I haven't heard of Green Tree Farm, where are they?

Title: Re: Anyone keep Shetland hens?
Post by: shygirl on August 24, 2015, 07:01:36 pm

I have scots greys. they are lovely.

Title: Re: Anyone keep Shetland hens?
Post by: smhowie on August 25, 2015, 07:02:09 am

green tree farm are in Harton, York, YO60 7NP

Title: Re: Anyone keep Shetland hens?
Post by: doricdragons on August 25, 2015, 12:03:50 pm

Aaaah! Thank you!