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gladys

What breed of chicken? and how many of each?

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Hi,

Have finally decided to order an Eglu but arent sure about what number of each breed...will be ordering from Omlet so can have Miss Pepperpot and Ginger Nut. Having read the forum 3 seems the best option...I do have a large lawn....They will spend most of their time in the run as we have foxes around here but hopefully some time out when im home and at weekends..more in the summer.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

Many thanks

 

Sarah

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Hello Gladys and welcome to the forum. :lol:

 

I would say a minimum of three hens is ideal.

 

They like company.

 

If they are gong to get in the run most of the time, I would consider getting a run extension too, to give them more leg and wing flapping room.

 

I'd get 2 Gingernuts and 1 pepperpot.

 

They are all lovely, though.

 

What colour Eglu?

 

If you plan to get more hens later......it might be worth biting the bullet and getting a cube. :lol:

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You could start with 2 then add more later. If you fill your Eglu up with hybrids then theres no flexibility to add anymore until one dies. 2 Chickens will give you around 10 eggs per week once they start laying.

 

Once your chickens have settled in you might decide you would like different coloured eggs, a big fluffy Orpington, a couple of bantams....

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I would definitely start with 3. As adding more hens can sometimes be difficult and a worry if they start pecking etc. If you start with an established 3 and if one does unfortunately die - you still have the pair.

 

I started off with 2 and one died leaving a lone chicken, I then added 3 !! :lol: (but they do need time to be integrated)

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start with 3, I did!!

 

I have 2 pepperpots and 1 Gingernut, my pepperpots are not as in your face as my gingernut, who at this mintue is sitting in one of the dogs bed in the kitchen, and runs across the garden whenever the door is open to come in to the kitchen.....

 

But I have to say I do not pick any of them up each day (I was a little scared :oops: when we 1st got them) so it could be my fault....that the other girls are not so freindly.

 

The pepperpots are really beautiful in the sun, when you get to see thier full colours. Also mine only have a very little red on their chests which I think made them look more scary before they grew their combs and wattles.

 

So if I had to do it again, what would I do? no idea as I love them all...if I have to replace any we are getting battery hens

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I was told 3 is the minimum to get as one chook will be the boss and there are then 2 underlings to share the punishment rather than just one getting all of it.

 

I have a Maran Cuivre that I think is similar to the Pepperpot - she is rather aloof and I can't warm to her as I do to my others. She is beautiful though. I also have a Rhode Star who is probably similar to the Gingernut and she is very friendly, first up the garden to see me even if I don't have any treats in my hand!

 

Jo

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Hi, I started with three chooks from Omelet, two gingernuts and one pepperpot. I'm so pleased that I did because they are lovely and friendly, especially the gingernuts. I feel really lucky to have these particular chooks because they get on really well together and seem really good friends.

 

Mine also run across the garden to come into the kitchen as soon as the door is open. They really seem to like our company even if there are no treats on offer. If we are in the garden the chooks are always around us watching what we are doing. When I clean out the run and put new hemcore in, they are straight in to spread it around for me. Great fun for them and very entertaining to watch.

 

Whatever you decide, I hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoy ours.

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Great...many thanks for the warm welcome...so its definately three...just I have to decide on which I get 2 of and which I get 1 of! Before I saw the replies was going for 3 Miss Pepperpots but it seems that Ginger Nuts are so friendly....that seems more my style...so maybe 2 Gingers? I will get an extension as well. Will the Ginger Nuts be OK if they are stuck in the run all day?

Many thanks for all your advice! sarah....its going to be a green one!

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Some people keep their chickens in the run all the time and they are fine. We have the run converter for the eglu which adds a nice bit of room.

 

Any time you can give them to free range they will appreciate, but of course this time of year it gets dark so early so they cant get much after work, summer time with chooks is great!

 

Dont worry, if you compare our omlet hens to normal hens - they lead a life of luxury :)

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I've got two chickens - one pepperpot and one gingernut. They are both lovely but the pepperpot is definitely the boss! They are both friendly and don't mind being picked up (unless they want to go and do something more interesting!).

 

My two are in the run most of the time as we work full time. I let them out at the weekend as much as possible and in the summer they can come out in the evening for a while.

 

I've had them since last August - I wish I'd got them years ago! you won't regret it!

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Hi gladys,

 

I've got 4 in a eglu + converter. I ordered 2 gingernuts and 2 pepperpots but unfortunately 1 PP died after 2 weeks and we replaced her with a white hen from a local place. So getting 3 from the outset is a good idea.

 

I find both GNuts and Pepperpots both friendly and good with my children. GNuts are more nosey (and both the boss in my set up). The GNuts look similar, but when the 2 Pep Pots arrived one was entirely black (looked like a crow, she was the one that died) and the other is black with beautiful brown colouring aroung the neck. She is the most pretty of my 4 girls. Whatever you decide will be good.

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I also have a green eglu plus converter. Initially I only had one Pepperpot and one Gingernut, but when my Pepperpot was killed by a fox I got two new hens (Suffolk Blacktail and SuffolkNoir), so now have 3. I found there wasn't really a pecking order with 2, but definitely is with 3.

 

It doesn't stop me wanting a 4th one though. As soon as I build a bigger permanent run, I will get one more. My girls are shut in unless I can watch them now and don't seem to mind, but they do like their time out to free range when they can.

 

Do enjoy your girls, whatever you choose to have. Keeping chooks is loads of fun!

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How fantastic....I have the same :D

Dot, my pepperpot is very aloof but I would not swap her for the world. She has beautiful colouring and lays 10 days out of 11. She is the boss and very savvy.

 

The gingernuts are nutty....make us all laugh continually.

 

You will love them. Everyone thinks I have gone potty since they came. Never really been a 'farm' sort of person and still go to pick up my supplies in killer heels!!! :lol:

 

This forum is the best too. Look forward to all your questions and tales....bet you can't wait :D

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Thanks for all your advice. D Day is the 4th February as we go on holiday before then. Its all thats on my mind...just hoping that I made the right choice! and now we need to come up with some names!

 

Will get the hoovering done before they arrive...altho at the moment Im spending most of my time reading about this amazing world of poultry!

 

Im not the farmy sort either and I dont tend to go out in my garden much..so lots og changes which will be good for me! I like the idea of the chair and cuppa tea...a new me for the New Year!

 

Will let you know when they arrive!

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Im not the farmy sort either and I dont tend to go out in my garden much..

 

So, by the end of february you'll be an expert on chicken poo, you'll have a "chicken coat", some chicken shoes/wellies by the back door and a chair by the chickens which you'll be sat watching their antics!! :wink::lol:

 

I wasnt the farmy type either, now I want to move, buy a small holding, gets some pigs and we have an allotment! :lol:

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hi I've just taken the plunge too- your posting helped me make up my mind. I'm not farmy but have had an allotment for the last three years.I have really enjoyed this forum the last few days it really has helped me sort out my queries and look forward to reading other postings - its sooo helpful. good luck with your chucks!

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