Here to Help!
The Pipinchick chicken team have been rearing speciality pure breeds and bantams for over 10 years and have learned all the do's and don'ts of how to keep your birds healthy and happy.
We offer all our customers and retailers 100% after care from answering questions to farm/retail outlet visits to asses suitability and environment.
Please have a read through some of our most frequently asked questions below and if the answer to your worry is not there then feel free to ASK US!
We want to make sure your birds are happy and healthy and you feel confident in keeping them tip top so please don’t be shy.
We offer all our customers and retailers 100% after care from answering questions to farm/retail outlet visits to asses suitability and environment.
Please have a read through some of our most frequently asked questions below and if the answer to your worry is not there then feel free to ASK US!
We want to make sure your birds are happy and healthy and you feel confident in keeping them tip top so please don’t be shy.
QUICK LOOK BUYING GUIDE
Pipinchicks quick look buying guide to help you make the right decisions when pruchasing your new birds online.
Traffic light breed compatibility guide see below
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Make great pets, suitable for children
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Handle with care, needs a specialised enviroment or extra care read the breed guide.
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Egg colour and laying amount per year
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Traffic Light Buing Guide
It can be tempting when looking at all the lovely chickens and bantam hens for sale to want one of each and make a flock of mixed breeds but be careful not all breeds are compatible.
Breed harmony can be relative to space, if you have acres then most birds will be fine together however if you have a back garden set up with limited roaming room the guide below is very important.
Chickens:
Silkies - Compatible with most breeds.
Bantam Polish - Compatible with Silkie, Houdan, Cochin, Faverolles; Can be bullied if on their own or with more aggressive bantams, hybrids or large pure breeds.
Bantam Pekins - Compatible with most breeds but can bully if in numbers: Polish, Faverolles and other delicate bantams.
Bantam Marans - Compatible with most breeds but can bully if in numbers: Faverolles, Polish and other delicate bantams
Bantam Faverolles - Compatible with Silkie, Houdan, Cochin, Polish. Can be bullied if on their own or with more aggressive bantams, hybrids or large pure breeds.
Bantam Wyandotte’s - Compatible with most breeds but can bully if in numbers: Polish, Faverolles and other delicate bantams.
Araucana - Compatible with most breeds but can feather peck each other when bored or bully Bantams if in numbers.
Houdan - Compatible with all breeds
Cochin - Compatible with all breeds.
Silkies - Compatible with most breeds.
Bantam Polish - Compatible with Silkie, Houdan, Cochin, Faverolles; Can be bullied if on their own or with more aggressive bantams, hybrids or large pure breeds.
Bantam Pekins - Compatible with most breeds but can bully if in numbers: Polish, Faverolles and other delicate bantams.
Bantam Marans - Compatible with most breeds but can bully if in numbers: Faverolles, Polish and other delicate bantams
Bantam Faverolles - Compatible with Silkie, Houdan, Cochin, Polish. Can be bullied if on their own or with more aggressive bantams, hybrids or large pure breeds.
Bantam Wyandotte’s - Compatible with most breeds but can bully if in numbers: Polish, Faverolles and other delicate bantams.
Araucana - Compatible with most breeds but can feather peck each other when bored or bully Bantams if in numbers.
Houdan - Compatible with all breeds
Cochin - Compatible with all breeds.
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GREEN
Good with most 
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AMBER
Good with most (check the guide) 
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RED
Not suited with other breeds 
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**Always be wary mixing large hybrids and large pure breeds with any bantams**
FAQ's
HOW DO I INTRODUCE MY NEW BIRD/S?
We find that introducing new hens to existing flocks can be tricky. We advise never introducing 1 bird on their own to a new environment, they are flock animals by nature and happier in pairs especially of their own breed. It is best to introduce 2 birds together, wait until the dead of night and your existing birds are sleeping, then place your new hens in with them. Open the run in the morning to allow the birds plenty of space to get away if they need to. There will always be some hen pecking as the new pecking order is established but we have found this method works the best. You can also add a second feed and water supply for the first few days as this will be an area of territorial ground the existing flock will try to protect.
We find that introducing new hens to existing flocks can be tricky. We advise never introducing 1 bird on their own to a new environment, they are flock animals by nature and happier in pairs especially of their own breed. It is best to introduce 2 birds together, wait until the dead of night and your existing birds are sleeping, then place your new hens in with them. Open the run in the morning to allow the birds plenty of space to get away if they need to. There will always be some hen pecking as the new pecking order is established but we have found this method works the best. You can also add a second feed and water supply for the first few days as this will be an area of territorial ground the existing flock will try to protect.
MY NEW BIRDS AREN'T BEING ACCEPTED, WHAT CAN I DO?
If the birds are still pecking and bullying after 5 days you may need to make some changes to the pecking order, this happens very occasionally and is usually down to one bully bird.
Isolate the bully bird or birds for a while let the other birds re-establish a new pecking order then re-introduce the bully bird/s (method as above), once this has happened. This will change the dynamics of the group and the bully bird will then have to settle into the flock as if it were new. If this still doesn't work and there is continued bullying then you may have to separate permanently.
If the birds are still pecking and bullying after 5 days you may need to make some changes to the pecking order, this happens very occasionally and is usually down to one bully bird.
Isolate the bully bird or birds for a while let the other birds re-establish a new pecking order then re-introduce the bully bird/s (method as above), once this has happened. This will change the dynamics of the group and the bully bird will then have to settle into the flock as if it were new. If this still doesn't work and there is continued bullying then you may have to separate permanently.
CAN MY BIRD FLY?
Most breeds of chicken can fly although not very well, however the list below are flightless birds, but they can still jump pretty high, you will need a minimum of a 3ft fence.
Silkies
Any Frizzle Feather Bird (incl Pekin and Polish Frizzles)
Cochin
Most breeds of chicken can fly although not very well, however the list below are flightless birds, but they can still jump pretty high, you will need a minimum of a 3ft fence.
Silkies
Any Frizzle Feather Bird (incl Pekin and Polish Frizzles)
Cochin
HOW DO I STOP MY BIRD FROM FLYING?
A simple and easy way is to trim the primary feathers from one wing only, you can do this using sharp scissors and simply cut the tips off the first 4-6 primary feathers. Don't cut to deep as you may make the bird bleed.
A simple and easy way is to trim the primary feathers from one wing only, you can do this using sharp scissors and simply cut the tips off the first 4-6 primary feathers. Don't cut to deep as you may make the bird bleed.
WHAT TREATS CAN I FEED MY BIRDS?
We are always being asked what treats can I give my chickens? Here are our top treats for not only yumminess but also health!
Soft bananas, great source of vit B12!
Berries,
Water melon,
Finely chopped herbs-oregano and parsley are great for boosting immune systems.
Mealworms, you can get these dried in most pet stores, they just love them!! Great for protein!
Finely chopped kale, cabbage greens and chard again amazing for an immune boosts!!
A few cloves of garlic and fresh ginger in their water once a week is a great natural wormer and immune system booster. Don’t leave them in the water for more than 2 days though!
SEEDS they love seeds and they are very good for them, sunflower hearts, sesame seeds and pumkin are the best.
Corn is great fresh on the cob hanging in their run they will love pecking at the kernels which also works as a boredum buster, or bought dried corn is another great treat.
Avoid -general kitchen scraps though as this can get stuck in crops!
Happy treating, remember that treats are not a meal substitute so little and often is best and don't over do it or they can get runny poohs!
Soft bananas, great source of vit B12!
Berries,
Water melon,
Finely chopped herbs-oregano and parsley are great for boosting immune systems.
Mealworms, you can get these dried in most pet stores, they just love them!! Great for protein!
Finely chopped kale, cabbage greens and chard again amazing for an immune boosts!!
A few cloves of garlic and fresh ginger in their water once a week is a great natural wormer and immune system booster. Don’t leave them in the water for more than 2 days though!
SEEDS they love seeds and they are very good for them, sunflower hearts, sesame seeds and pumkin are the best.
Corn is great fresh on the cob hanging in their run they will love pecking at the kernels which also works as a boredum buster, or bought dried corn is another great treat.
Avoid -general kitchen scraps though as this can get stuck in crops!
Happy treating, remember that treats are not a meal substitute so little and often is best and don't over do it or they can get runny poohs!
All breeds are fully vaccinated against Marek's, Newcastle's and Infectious Bronchitis, and reared to our high standards, top quality rare and pure breed poultry for your home, garden or retail outlet,
wholesale and private sales available.
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wholesale and private sales available.
Contact Poultry Range Pop Up Shop Nationwide Delivery Facebook
