anthonynatasha Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 Hi I get my eglu on monday and am getting some chickens shortly after. (very very excited) First time of having chickens!!!! I have been given conflicting advice about two types I am interested in. These are the "black rocks" and "bluebell" breed. Which is the better layer out of these and which breed are friendlier. is anyone able to advise or suggest another breed? Thanks x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbfhpunk Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 I have both, I have 2 bluebelles and I think they're much fiendlier than the black rock, one of them is the only chicken I can stroke! They are always together which is nice. So this of course could be why they're so friendly because they have a friend! I think they are very pretty too and don't tell my husband but one of them is my favourite! Helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 I can only post on the Black Rock. Have had mine for nearly 3 weeks now and she is my most confident out of the flock, the second most friendly - she now comes up onto the bench and sits on the arm to see what you are reading etc etc. I love her to bits. She has started laying (hopefully regularly now): beige eggs - quite big and I think she should lay about 300 in a year. Bluebelles probably lay a cream egg or a brown egg and possibly slightly less than that. I have heard that Bluebelles can be really lovely but there are a few that are not so sweet - but then I'm sure you could say that about Black Rocks as well Not much in the eggs other than colour. I would go for the colour of bird you want - all birds have their own temperament. Have a look at some - buy both Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 Bluebelles are pretty and lay well. But mine is actually rather shy. I don't think you can say one breed is friendlier than another; it's all down to the individual hen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 Why not et one of each, and then one other breed too. Three hens is much better than two hens, as if anything happens you aren't left with one lonely chook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meezers Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 Get one of each! I have a Blackrock and a Bluebelle, I wouldn't say one is friendlier than the other, the Bluebelle started out as the friendliest, but the blackrock caught up once she was laying. The Bluebelle is the noisiest of my chooks, she can 'talk' for England ! Egg wise, they are both regular layers, not sure either of them have had a day off since they started laying ! The Bluebelles eggs are often bigger and have a pinky/purple tint to them, the blackrock is laying small/medium size pale beige eggs. As I said, get one of each , they look lovely together ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 No contest - one of each! I have both according to books Blackrocks = 300+ eggs a year Bluebelles = 260+. Of my two the Bluebelle is the biggest, friendliest chicken and always at my side in the garden - her eggs are cream. v. light brown, the blackrocks are a mid/dark brown. Of my two the Balckrock's eggs are practically always around 64g - though I get the odd double-yoker at around 90g. The Bluebelle is more erratic - I can have up to 3 double yokers at 80G+ in a week, but a 'normal egg is usually around 60g. I just love the look of my bluebelle, but the blackrock probably has the edge in the egg laying. I only started keeping records last month, but the Blackrock has laid every day in the last month and the Bluebelle has had one day off. Pictures: http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii49/TAJchicks/IMG_1891.jpg and http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii49/TAJchicks/IMG_1889.jpg My Blackrock is quite brown - they can be a lot darker than this. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 I have a black rock and she's very very friendly. Very dark in colouring, only has brown down her chest. I dont have a bluebelle, but I was going to get one at the same time as getting my two girls, but the breeder didn't have anymore left. They are beautifull aren't they! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 I'll second what Hazel said about three being better than two. In fact, after advising someone to get three instead of two for the reason she cited, I decided to get four! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 I love my black rock Rolo. She is so lovely. She loves treats & being handled. She will jump on your knee no problem. She sneeked in the kitchen a few times tonight! Such character, but so very friendly. I love the way her tail points to the sky too. Very funny. No experience of bluebells. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jess Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 my bluebelle was the most beautiful bird i highly recommend them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 I think you just have to get both Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam42 Posted May 16, 2008 Share Posted May 16, 2008 Our bluebelle is much friendlier than the others and is extremely nosy and very clever. Thinks she should be a house chicken! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
