Reviews by Coko

I chose this breed as a first time chicken owner, along with a cross-section of easy breeds for their look and because I wanted to continue a line of this rare bird. What I ended up with was an overabundance of blood shed and angry neighbors. My rooster (aptly renamed "Norman Bates") became unmanageable, extremely aggressive, though not very protective of his harem. He was an extremely light sleeper, and crowed at the moon, to my and my neighbors' discontent. I could not enter my backyard without him making a ruckus, without ever stopping. When he and his flock were free grazing in the backyard, he set out to pick a fight with anyone who dared enter the garden. My wounds never had a chance to heal, and by the time I was finally able to rehome him, he gave me a bloody hand as a parting gift (I still bare the scar).

Unless you are a patient soul and don't mind a daily blood letting, I do not recommend this breed, especially if you have loved ones you don't like to see harmed. Conserving this breed may not be a good idea after all!

Quite frankly, this breed was never on my radar, until I got one hen as a freebie from a hatchery. She looked like a chipmunk, was half the size of the other chicks she arrived with, and a pure source of entertainment from the start. As a first time chicken owner, I tried to pick up Miss Sophie and tame her, but she had better things to mind than be my little cuddle buddy, so I just let her be. Imagine my surprise when I placed all of them into the coop at two month old, and suddenly she started seeking contact with me. Soon, she just flew on my shoulders, and loved to be held. If I dared putting her on the ground, she would fly up to me again for more cuddles. Sadly, she fell victim to a raccoon, and I learned overnight that one can get as easily attached to a chicken, as to any other pet. I have "replaced" her with other Old English Game bantams (of course, she can never really be replaced), and, although they are not quite as affectionate as Miss Sophie was, but they do come close.

This last order had some roosters in the box, and they have just been a hilarious addition to the flock. These tiny roosters have the self-confidence of peacocks, love to crow their hearts out with their tiny, high pitched voices, and are complete gentlemen to the ladies. I have watched them scratch for tasty crawlers, picking them up, and offering them to their hens. When some of my hens wander into the front yard (which is technically off-limits to my chickens), there is always at least one rooster chaperoning them. Occasionally, I step into the backyard, and see all my roosters sitting on my roof (that's a two story flight from the back). All this, and they are still contempt when I pick them up.

All in all, they make great pets and are the clowns of the fowl family!