HasSumAmi Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 Hello one and all. Hope you are enjoying the fab weather we're having at the moment All hope of getting hubby digging the garden this weekend have ended with the five day weather forecast... Anyway, to the subject of my post: Do any of you know of any hybrids which lay blue or green eggs. I've searched around but I can only find pure breeds. Would like to get some more hens in the summer and researching breeders now. Thanks so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 I'm not the expert but I'm around so will try to answer! Yes - there are hybrids which lay blue eggs. One of them is called the Columbine (also called Jasmine and Skyline, I think). I think there are others but that should start you on your search! Whereabouts in the country are you? Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HasSumAmi Posted March 20, 2008 Author Share Posted March 20, 2008 I'm in NW London. The Columbine looks ever so pretty -(just found a picture of one). The web site I found says they are really active though and need lots of free-ranging. I work full time so the girls only really get out for a short leg stretch in the evening and then at weekends. Does anyone have a Columbine and are they good with children? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 Thornes in Letchworth have them in fairly regularly as one of the POL hybrid breeds that they stock. That would only be about 30 - 40 mins from the M25 for you. they had some when I bought my hens but they looked a bit too flighty for a first timer like me - they were dashing about all over the place. Some of the other forum regulars have these hens so will answer you I'm sure about their personalities! Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 I have a Columbine, she's still young, but she is quite feisty. Trying to catch her is a nightmare. She is slowly getting tamer ( she has now reached the stage of scoffing corn out of my hand). She is very pretty to look at and quite a character and gets very stressed when the bantams wander off - she treats them as though they are her chicks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 Thorne's have just got a big batch of 230 hybrids, including Skylines, that went on sale yesterday, (I bought 2 today ) but they are very young (15 weeks) so none of them are anywhere near laying yet and they look a bit scrawny. Another couple of weeks on growers and they'll look fab though. If you are going to get some, be quick, as the Skylines sell really fast and they can't always get hold of them. If you want to contact them they are on 01462 675767. Skylines are priced at £15 each, other hybrids are £12.50. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HasSumAmi Posted March 20, 2008 Author Share Posted March 20, 2008 Think nipping to Thornes just now might be a bit premature, although I am VERY tempted!!! We are very new to the whole chicken thing (just over a month now). It's been really lovely though and I know I want to get more this summer. Originally I thought I would get battery hens, but the whole pecking order thing in their depleted state has really put me off (maybe when I am more use to keeping chickens.) So then I thought I'd get two hybrid hens, and thought blue/green egg layers might be nice I'd have to get a run sorted out though (either get hubby to build a walk in one) - I'm REALLY hinting on this one. Or go for the run extension, as four hens in a standard run is way too small I gather... I'd be concerned if Columbine's are flighty though... So any advice on that would be really helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 I bought 2 skylines about 3 weeks ago and I have to say they've been really calm and friendly. One even goes out of her way to come and sit by me for a cuddle. Admittedly they are both laying now so that does make a difference but on the whole they've been lovely. I guess each chook is different. Good luck with whatever you choose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 (I bought 2 today JULES! Step away from the Poultry Centre! Have you thought about going to Poultry Addicts Anonymous?? What did you buy this time? Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redfrock Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 I love my skyline and am getting a couple more next month simply because she has such a great personality. From day one she decided she liked to jump on my back and/ or sit on my shoulder (maybe not to everyone's taste!). The only thing you need to be aware of is that only 80% of them lay blue eggs - and it is pot luck really if yours does - although Ben suggested the ones with more grey on seem to be the Blue layers, and he has been right with ours. She isn't flighty but does like to 'jump' - most peculiar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 (I bought 2 today JULES! Step away from the Poultry Centre! Have you thought about going to Poultry Addicts Anonymous?? What did you buy this time? Jo 2 Skylines! I wanted them since November, but my run wasn't finished then. That's it now, my run is 9m sq and I've got 8 chooks in it so I can't fit any more in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HasSumAmi Posted March 21, 2008 Author Share Posted March 21, 2008 That's it now, my run is 9m sq and I've got 8 chooks in it so I can't fit any more in. 9m sq.... Doesn't that mean that you can have NINE hens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Yes, I see what you mean but the housing takes up 1m sq of floor space, although they do sit on top of it! Plus I wouldn't introduce 1 on it's own, although maybe I could have got 3 yesterday instead of two . Also, OH would go mad - he already thinks every time he looks in the run there's another one in there. I'm happy with what I've got now and I should have a good range of egg colours when they finally pull their fingers out and start laying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HasSumAmi Posted March 22, 2008 Author Share Posted March 22, 2008 Your flock sounds lovely SuperJules. I'd like Bantams too... You have to be VERY disciplined not to keep nipping down to Thornes, given you live so close!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 They're going to give me my own key if I go there any more frequently! I may as well get a job there! They've got some lovely plants there too, I bought 2 yellow raspberry canes, a load of herbs and a cranberry plant last week (as well as 2 chickens!) Thanks HasSumAmi, I've been really lucky with the bantams as they've integrated wonderfully so far (touch wood!). I keep looking out of the window at my chooks in their run and consider myself very lucky that I'm able to have this many. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris70 Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 Hello, I had a Skyline last year - she wa the friendliest little chicken I've owned. She used to fly up and sit on my bump when I was pregnant! I've been down to Thornes today too - they've only got 2 Skylines yet - I was so so so tempted, but have to wait until I get back from Australia - so i asked when they were getting anymore - and apparently they should be getting them every 4 weeks from now on.... so you wan;t have to make a decision quite yet! BTW - didn't know the rule of 1 hen per 1sqm - just calculated I've got a 17sqm run - and only 8 hens...... you know what that'll mean!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckbok Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 Hi HasSumAmi, We have a columbine called Matilda. We have had our girls for nearly 4 weeks now. Matilda shares her eglus with Pecky (Speckeldy) and Rosie (CalderRanger). they all get on great, Pecky seems to be top of the pecking order followed by Matilda then Rosie. Matilda, the columbine, is fantastic. She follows me everywhere mcuh to my wifes amusement. She is so friendly that she will happily walk over to me and allow me to stoke her and I can easily just pick her up and give her a cuddle. She is a little more keen to jump up on our patio table or Guinea Pig run, whereas the others just don'r seem bothered. However, she always gets down and can be easily tempted to get down and back to her run by throwing her some corn or mealworms. I would recommend getting a columbine, ours is lovely. However, one slight gripe, we thought ours woould lay us a lovely pale blue or green egg, but ours seems to lay a white egg. Lovely all the same though, and very tasty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 Boris - Only 2 left eh? Wow, they sell quickly!! Glad I got my 2 scrawny examples when I did (they're only 15 weeks and look pathetic compared to my other sumo chooks, who seem to have ambitions as broilers and need to go to weigh"Ooops, word censored!"chers!). You'll have to go chicken shopping if you have that much spare room, don't want your existing girls rattling around in that big run getting cold, do we?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HasSumAmi Posted March 23, 2008 Author Share Posted March 23, 2008 I had a Skyline last year - she wa the friendliest little chicken I've owned. She used to fly up and sit on my bump when I was pregnant! I've been down to Thornes today too - they've only got 2 Skylines Thanks one and all for your comments. Skylines seem lovely and I shall definitely be getting some. Can't believe that Thornes have only two left as Superjules only posted their new delivery of 230 on Thursday night. You have to work quick in this chicken game! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 Sorry, I've misled you. Thorne's had 230 new hybrids, probably about 5/6 different types, so around 30-ish skylines. It'll take them around 2 weeks to sell all 230 based on last month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 Are people getting confused between square metres and metres squared? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HasSumAmi Posted March 23, 2008 Author Share Posted March 23, 2008 Sorry, I've misled you. Thorne's had 230 new hybrids, probably about 5/6 different types, so around 30-ish skylines. It'll take them around 2 weeks to sell all 230 based on last month. No, Superjules, it was my message which was a bit confusing. Sorry! I didn't think that there were 230 Skylines , but even 30ish Skylines is a lot to sell out of in just a couple of days. By the way, has anyone got any Silver Laced Wyandottes? Can pure breeds be mixed with hybrids? I just LOVE SLWs they are SO pretty. Getting carried away here, aren't I... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HasSumAmi Posted March 23, 2008 Author Share Posted March 23, 2008 Are people getting confused between square metres and metres squared? Ummm.... According to all the maths "geniuses" in my household, they are the same thing, but I'm willing to be shot down in flames on this... It's been a LONG time since my maths O'level... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 I have a bantam SLW. She's my loudest chicken and kicks bedding everywhere. She's a very muscular bird and the biggest of my bantams, certainly a character but not very tame yet. She lays 6 eggs a week, around 35g. Not sure if there's a difference between msq and sqm, but I've allowed 1x1m for each of my birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 There is a difference between "n square metres" and "n metres squared." "3 metres squared" means a square with sides of 3 metres length. So its area is 3 x 3 = 9 sq metres. "3 square metres" means an area equal to that of three squares of area 1 m^2 each. Thus it could be 3m x 1m or 1.5m x 2m, etc. So my run will be 9x12 feet. It will be 96 square feet. It will NOT be 96 metres squared as that would be HUGE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...