hipdeep Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 I'm going to be a new eglu owner and I'm agonizing over my pullet chook combo. I will only ever have one eglu, and I intend on using the run. I'm trying to pick out a comfortable long term number. Can I have two standards and two bantams? I figure two bantams could have each others back if the bigger ladies are bullyish? Or is that too many? If it is I would rather two standards and one bantam. Is that unfair? Should it be two bantams and a standard so they out number the bigger gal? Or is the size difference not really an issue? Here's my priorites: I want eggs! big blue eggs, so I would like at least one standard araucanas. That's sort of my starting place. Since my hatchery will ship them in assorted colors I was considering two, but I like the below standards as well. We have a two year old, and I want some of the funnier unique breeds as well. We live in Essex, MA USA on a lake, but with neighbors, so I'm valuing good pet characteristics, with less noise over style. They'll be pets and won't be butchered, so meat isn't an issue. The contenders: bantam: White silkie, black frizzle cochin, silver polish, bantam araucanas standard: araucanas, silver laced cochin, buff laced polish, silver polish So, knowing that I value eggs, (average of 2 or 3 a day would be awesome)particularly colored ones (remember a 2 years old!) hilarity and style how would YOU stock my eglu? Thanks! -Brooke I'm thinking: Standard araucana, standard silver laced cochin, bantam white silkie, bantam black frizzle cochin. Is it too many? Would there be enough eggs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 I think out of all the breeds you mention, only the araucana will lay reasonably regularly, but even then will not lay a large amount of eggs and will take a long break over winter. From what I remember, silkies are very poor layers but make good broodys, cochins don't lay many a year and are also likely to go broody. They are all very decorative but not a good bet if you value your eggs. Can you get hybrids? They would be your best bet, 3 hybrids in an eglu would give you 2-3 eggs a day, most days of the year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CockADoodleDoo Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 hi i sort of had the same dielemma as you so considering what you want i would go for 3 standards A Skyline = lays more eggs than an aruacana and iff you get them from a good breeder are almost certain to get blue eggs A Light Sussex = looks great and lays a good number of eggs A Calder Ranger = looks nice and lays 300 eggs + per year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hipdeep Posted February 24, 2008 Author Share Posted February 24, 2008 Thanks for the great feedback! I'm looking straight into the skyline. So, this leads to my other post about maximums. Could I have 2 skyline and a bantam for fun, such as a silkie? Or even 3 standards and a bantam? I appreciate it and I LOVE the pics!! Big Love from the US! -Brooke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 Some people have integrated big hens and bantams, but just be aware that they will need to establish a pecking order and this can get nasty. A bantam with two big girls is going to be in for a rough ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hipdeep Posted February 24, 2008 Author Share Posted February 24, 2008 I've done a search and Skyline and Heritage Skyline does not show up on our regular hatcheries. Are these newer UK breeds? How do people tend to buy hybrids. Not much of that in my hatcheries here, and as I'm not buying a rooster it looks impossible on the home front. Or maybe I'll name each Mary and just pray? -Brooke Oh and thanks for the mix up feed back. It looks like all standards. So what about a blue egger, and like a red star or egg producer, and a silly cochin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 If I were you, I'd have two standard and two bantam - a lone bantam might be a bit outnumbered, as it were! By 'cochin' I take it you mean a bantam with feathered feet - what we call a pekin (over here, cochin only refers to the heavy breed). Cochin/pekins are friendly little birds and fairly quiet, and a couple of those would give you the fun factor If you're having bantams as well, you might be better off with slightly lighter hybrids - some can be big chunky girls! My Speckledy was on the light side, very pretty and quite placid (she got on well with my Wyandotte bantam), and laid lots of lovely brown eggs with very strong shells - highly recommended! Best of luck, whatever you choose! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...