[northfifeduckling]

I was just offered some Scots Grey and Old English pheasant fowl, does anyone have experience with how well they lay? 

[HappyHippy]

I don't think Scots grey are prolific layers, but maybe if you had a couple hybrid layers as well that would supplement the egg production.
They're pretty rare, so I'd be tempted to take them, even look to breed them, if you can.
Don't know anything about the pheasant fowl, other than they are rare, but have a look here
http://www.rbst.org.uk/watch-list/poultry/pheasantfowl
they've got info on the Grey's too.
Let us know how you get on
Karen

[Tullywood Farm]

Both are beautiful rare birds - you need to take them and look for more - you could sell pairs and eggs easily.

We bought eggs on ebay of both breeds but unfortunately none hatched at all

Good luck with them - but if you do not wat to breed them and only want eggs, pass them onto someone else on the forum and get some isa browns or rhode islands or welsummers for eggs.

Julie

[Clairie]

Ooh!  I got some scots grey (dumpy) eggs on Ebay and they all hatched!  Wasn't so lucky with the Marsh Daisy's as I only got one out of 6.

They're all doing really well.  Not toooo sure what to do with them though - whether to sell them or sell the eggs when they're big enough.

I just got a bit excited about chickens and ordered the eggs cos they were rare, and Scottish!

[shetlandpaul]

it is compulsive. you do tend to drown under the chicks you get. i made my mind up to not incubate any more this year so i go and bid on some jersey giants. what im going to do with them and the cochins and brahmas is another matter.

[Roxy]

I do like the rare breeds, and have thought about breeding some myself, but have to say for the egg production I go for the more prolific egg production breeds.  I have some hens among my free range flock who are pretty to look at, but not good layers!!

The problem with hatching is as always, the amount of cockerels that appear, and need doing something with if you are not up to despatching them yourself.

[shetlandpaul]

thats the trouble you just don't know how many boys your going to get. at least with the older unility one you have a nice meal.

[northfifeduckling]

Claire, whereabouts are you? I would buy some girls of you in a few months time (if you are not too far), as the deal fell through. Now I got quite fond of the Scots Greys, after doing all the asking around and research - I am quite disappointed....

[Clairie]

Claire, whereabouts are you? I would buy some girls of you in a few months time (if you are not too far), as the deal fell through. Now I got quite fond of the Scots Greys, after doing all the asking around and research - I am quite disappointed....

I'm in Errol - just across the water from you!    They're pretty cool wee things.  Just shifted them out of my spare room (argh - the mess!!!) and into my tack room.  They're getting feathered up at an amazing rate!  A bit ugly at the moment really! 

Will keep you updated!

[northfifeduckling]

How are your wee Scots Greys, Claire? Do you still have some spare or did the gender ratio disappoint ?