Lorax Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 I had a chat with a chicken breeder tonight. Forgive me for any misspellings. He said he will have some 18 week old chickens from mid July. I would like three. This is what he will have: Calder Ranger White Stars Bluebelles Marin Coubres (??) Light Sussex They'll be in an Eglu, with a not massive run (about 30ft by 7ft?) but with access to a larger garden for a couple of hours a day. I'm a total novice, we have a child (so friendly chickens) and I want them for eggs. Any advice please? I'd be most grateful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Bluebelles are GORGEOUS big, buxom girls that are incredibly friendly and reliable layers. Get Bluebelles!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorax Posted June 3, 2008 Author Share Posted June 3, 2008 I do like the look of them. But are they classed as heavy? Would an Eglu be too small for three of them. And you think get three Bluebelles and not a mix? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 we started with 2 bluebells and 2 silver sussex. the bluebells are lovely, reliable birds, easy to handle etc, and never go broody (well not mine anyway). and v. reliable layers - every day, on the dot! we have subsequently lost 1 of each type, and I might replace with ex-batts now I've got the confirdence. but bluebells are FAB! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Hi I pick my girls up on Friday and having been asking pretty much the same question for ages.. The main advice I have been getting is that each chook seems to have a different personality rather than just the breed. Have had good opinions on white stars & warren types for kids as very friendly.. I am hoping getting a bluebelle too .. mixed feedback but so beautiful I have to have one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 I personally would definitely get the light sussex - they are gorgeous hens and quite docile/tame. have fun choosing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Calder Rangers are very similar to the Omlet Gingernut Rangers. Placid , friendly and good layers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorax Posted June 3, 2008 Author Share Posted June 3, 2008 I quite fancy three different breeds..what about a Bluebelle, a Calder Ranger and a Light Sussex? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 sounds good to me I love to see a mixture of colours and breeds in a flock. quite striking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Oooh, I love questions like this!! I'd go for three that look different, so you can spot who's who out of the window without any trouble. I'd also go for three that lay different coloured eggs so you can tell who's laid what without having to catch them in the act. I'd go for: Maran cuivre - black chook, dark brown eggsBluebelle - grey chicken, plum blush eggsWhite star - white chicken, white eggs. I love chook shopping!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 I'd also go for three that lay different coloured eggs so you can tell who's laid what without having to catch them in the act. /quote] very good idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorax Posted June 3, 2008 Author Share Posted June 3, 2008 Oh no people, getting confused now!!! I definitely want a Bluebelle. Fully sold on that one....wouldn't a Light Sussex and a Calder Ranger be sufficiently different to look at/different eggs that I could tell? Thanks SO much for all your replies so far. I really appreciate them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chili Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Well I agree with getting hens that lay different colour eggs, it certainly helps with knowing who has laid what. My sussex noir lays lovely dark brown eggs and my columbine lays delightful green ones. My light sussex is my only pure bred hen and is the only one who repeatedly keeps going broody. That said she is my biggest fluffiest hen with knickers to die for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 I'd love a bluebelle one day too - my timing has always been wrong though and I've never got space when they are available. I've compromised and hatched a blue pekin instead! A light sussex is a white chook with a black collar - very pretty. Christian will know what colour eggs sussex's lay - is it a proper one or a hybrid looky-likey? Hybrid sussex's lay slightly pinky tinted eggs (I think!) and a calder ranger (generic ginger chook!) will lay an egg just like the ones from the supermarket. Do you have to reserve them or will you just go along and choose on the day? I went chook shopping with a skyline and a bluebelle on my list but ended up getting a pied suffolk and an amber, you never know what might catch your eye on the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorax Posted June 3, 2008 Author Share Posted June 3, 2008 I have to reserve them and really soon. Not sure if it's a hybrid or PB Sussex. Do fancy look of Calder Rangers has to be said...will sleep on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted June 4, 2008 Share Posted June 4, 2008 I have a bluebelle, PB light sussex & a blackrock - eggs are all brown, but different, cream, light brown & mid-brown respectively. All different characters, but the bluebelle is my favourite. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted June 4, 2008 Share Posted June 4, 2008 ooh I missed this last night... I chose mine .. or rather my children chose theirs for difference in colour.. they didn't want any the same that couldn't be told apart easily.. The egg difference did come into it, as we did discuss this, however it wasn't the main reason for choosing them. I dont have either of those breed of chickens however I do have a white and a dark hen and they are a very nice contrast together, so I would highly recommend it Bluebelles are gorgeous and had the breeder had a bluebelle when I got these two... we would have three not two! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted June 4, 2008 Share Posted June 4, 2008 My three are brown, grey & white - just the eggs that are different shades of brown - so no confusion here over who is who - though t it is probably the adults in this house that would be most confused if they were the same colour, not the child! Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted June 4, 2008 Share Posted June 4, 2008 I have to reserve them and really soon. Not sure if it's a hybrid or PB Sussex. Do fancy look of Calder Rangers has to be said...will sleep on it. what's the decision then??????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorax Posted June 4, 2008 Author Share Posted June 4, 2008 I ordered a bluebelle, a calder ranger and a Sussex hybrid but see my post further up, the breeder was horribly unhelpful! But he comes so highly recommended that I can only think my Qs annoyed him but I really didn't ask that many, my main concern was over vaccinations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted June 4, 2008 Share Posted June 4, 2008 See the replies posted in your other thread my lovely x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorax Posted June 4, 2008 Author Share Posted June 4, 2008 Aw thanks. I think it's probably the pg hormones but I felt like crying (i'm not a sap, honestly) and your nice reply has made it all better.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted June 4, 2008 Share Posted June 4, 2008 Dont worry about it. If you want to cry you go ahead. People here in the forum have very broad shoulders (and my fleecy jumper is perfect for wiping snotty noses on) xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
