AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

Pam Jackass · **Joined:** Sat Jun 18, 2005 7:21 pm **Posts:** 284

I have bought a few OEG bantams to use for hatching peafowl eggs. I read the other day that OEG have a reputation for maybe the first time eating their chicks after which they become good Mums next hatch round. Can't really afford to risk pea eggs so should I try a few chook eggs this first time?? Any help welcomed from experts with OEGs. Thanks, Pam

Ashley · **Joined:** Sun May 09, 2010 7:10 am **Posts:** 4

All my foster mums hatch their own eggs first so I know if they are good mums or not I think it would be a good idea for you to do the same. I don't have oeg and I don't know that much about them but I guess any breed of chook could kill their chicks the first time.

NSW Pheasants · **Posted:** Sat Jul 10, 2010 8:07 am

Any game fowl hen can be aggressive to their first chicks so yes let her hatch her own first

Pam Jackass · **Joined:** Sat Jun 18, 2005 7:21 pm **Posts:** 284

Thanks guys. P

bunyanuternie · **Joined:** Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:31 pm **Posts:** 2903

We have used OEG for hatching the pea's and nver had any eat their young (we feed ours grain)

OEG's make good little sitters and are very protective of their chicks , the only reason we moved away from them up here as there are so many OEG breeders now they are like mailboxes (everyone has one) So we moved towards Silkies which is what we mainly use now , Some of our OEG bantams were great little reliable mothers , a few of our large OEG were also very reliable . I would happily use them again .

Pam Jackass · **Joined:** Sat Jun 18, 2005 7:21 pm **Posts:** 284

Thanks a lot Bunyanuternie. I am going to ring the guy we got them from as he breeds them. I am thinking maybe there are some lines that are more aggressive than others. Another friend reckons they make great broodies. We have tried getting silkies but they go broody too early for the peacock season. Also it is very hard for them in this extremely cold climate. Anyway we have lots of backups, heaps of Wyandottes and a lot of cross bred banties, so here's hoping!!!! We have got wheat and layers but do you think it is a good idea to boost up the protein in the season???? Ta again. P

bunyanuternie · **Joined:** Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:31 pm **Posts:** 2903

One of my best broodys ever was an OEGb named beccy , she'd sit on a rock 'til she died of old age if we let her :mrgreen:

FlockPheasants · **Posted:** Sat Jul 17, 2010 9:38 am

I have used bantams for over 40 years everything from english game to pekin and all have been worthy brooders for me the secret is having plenty of hens on hand for the job

PEAFOWL HEAVEN · **Posted:** Sat Jul 17, 2010 7:39 pm

How do you find the pekin go? how many eggs can they sit on?

bunyanuternie · **Joined:** Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:31 pm **Posts:** 2903

I found the pekins OK , they are good little broodys as well , Some were better than others ...the same as all breeds . 3 peahen eggs is plenty for a pekin ,better to not be greedy and get a good hatch I say . We often set 1's and 2's if we are doing selective mating now . We moved away from the pekins for the same reason we moved away from the OEG's .There are a lot of pekins in my area and I mean a lot . There are hardly any good silkies where we are ,so we decided to kill two birds with one stone ,breed good silkies and use them to hatch the peafowl . The same with the Brahma . I know that this thread is about OEGb's as mothers ,So before anyone asks ....What about pekin X silkie ? yes we went there as well . they were OK but... the Purebred Pekins , Purebred Silkies , and Purebred OEGb's etc are just as good . So .... Why not keep them pure

Go the Old English Game Bantam Pam

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