Cuckoo Pekins - Advice Please

Kirsty · **Posted:** Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:00 pm

I am looking for some interesting chickens for my children to raise. We have had two lots of chicks from the produce store (breeds unknown) and the kids have raised them very successfully. As they are now getting on, we would like to purchase chicks (sexed) to raise again. I like the look of the Pekins but can anyone tell me the advantage of the Cuckoo Pekin? Is this a cross? Is there much difference in temperament or laying ability?

Would appreciate any advice you can give. We live at Mt Mee (northside of Brisbane), so if you happen to have any chicks or anticipate any, I would be keen to hear from you.

County Lodge · **Posted:** Mon Jun 16, 2008 11:42 pm

Hi Kirsty,

Cuckoo pekins are a colour of pekins same as lavenders, birchen, white, buff.

I have given a link to a photo of my rooster I have in my gallery so you can have an idea of the colour. They are the same as any other pekin just a colour.

http://paforumphotogallery.com/displayi ... ?pos=-1003

Kirsty · **Posted:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 6:20 pm

Hi there,

Thanks for the information. Your rooster does look beautiful. Now I know why they seem so popular. Would you by chance have any chicks or be expecting any some time soon?

I did get another reply saying cuckoo pekins are mostly self sexing because the males have a much larger white head spot when born. Is this correct? How hard is it to come by 6 or so chicks?

County Lodge · **Posted:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:02 pm

HI Kirsty,

I only have a couple of cuckoo cockerels at present for sale. One is a little light in colour but a really sweet boy. This happens when you breed cuchoo over cuckoo. It is alway a good thing to breed your cuckoos over black to keep the colour. I have some more baby cuckoo's at present but I still not sure of the sex. Large or small white spot is always difficult to tell especially if you have all large or all small to judge by. I like to sex mine by comb and wattle developement when they are about 3 to 4 weeks.

Kirsty · **Posted:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:19 pm

Hi Country Lodge

Thank you for the information. Can you let me know if you decide to sell the chick's? My past experience has been it is better to hand raise the chicks then buy them as laying hens but this may be because the laying hens come from large breeders who don't handle them.

Do you incubate the eggs and handle the chicks? Or are they looked after by the hen? Could I also ask where you are in SE QLD?

Hope you don't mind all the questions

Thanks

County Lodge · **Posted:** Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:19 am

I incubate and hand rear. The little light cuckoo boy I have for sale that is 3 months old is super friendly. He is gorgeous. I should have some more cuckoo chicks in the next few weeks. It would be better if they were not brother and sister.

I have some due from my lavender pen where I keep a cuckoo so I may end up with a cuckoo girl who will be lavender split if you ever wanted to put her with a Lavender. She will fine for breeding in the cuckoo pen as cuckoo is dominant.

Kirsty · **Posted:** Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:14 pm

I am really interested in getting some chicks from you. I am just wondering where you are in SE QLD?

I would love a rooster but am just worried about the noise. We are on four acres but am conscious of not disturbing the peace and quiet. We have just got rid of the guinea fowl because they were just too noisy.

Would it be possible to come and see you even if the chicks aren't ready yet?

County Lodge · **Posted:** Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:30 pm

I am at North Maclean about half way between Brisbane and Beaudesert along the Mt Lindsay Hwy. I am really busy until the weekend of 28th June.

wollongongbantams · **Posted:** Thu Jun 19, 2008 8:27 pm

My cuckoos are not good ones but i hope to get some goodones this years

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Cuckoo Pekins - Advice Please

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