Ange1 Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Next Saturday we will be going to pick up 4 hens! We would like either rangers, Ambers/Sweeties, light sussex or Bluebells. How obviously we could have one of each or have them in pairs. I spoke to Laura from Bells Plantation, Towcester Northants and she adviced to have them in pairs, it helps with less 'ganging up' problems, apparently she says that if you have four different ones they will almost always gang up on the lighest coloured one?!! Has anyone else noticed this?! Also my next decision is where to get them from?! 1) Karen at Merrydale Poultry (Leicester way) at the moment is only showing as having rangers in and a note next to the sweeties 'due soon'! All the other breeds it says due mid/late June! 2) A place over at Sywell Home Farm again only has the rangers with the possibility of some speckdies (sp) this week. 3) Laura at Bells have only rangers at the moment but is having a huge delivery 150 birds THIS THURSDAY 19th(don't all rush at once! ) Now we can't go hen shopping until next Saturday 28th, do we a risk seeing if Karen's mid-late June ones are in? Or get Laura at Bells to reserve us some? Don't really want to have to 'make do' if the breed we want isn't available but if Laura chooses them (we'd pay over the phone) we wouldn't be able to pick them, and that's the bit that sounds fun?! Bells is 'doable' in lunch time maybe I aught to go an pick out the girls Thursday lunch! Boyfriend would really like a Sussex (keep him sweet) and I'd like a docile Amber/sweetie or ranger, what would people do? Risk leaving it until next Saturday or reserve some now? Laura says that she only gets a delivery once a month and they go so quickly, apparently she got 20 bluebells in last month and someone came and bought the lot! I'd be interested to know what you'd all do?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ange1 Posted June 17, 2008 Author Share Posted June 17, 2008 Should explain why we can't go shopping until next Saturday, annoying enough we're going on holiday this Saturday (skipton) and wont be back until next Saturday! Our cube is being set up whilst we are away, so I'll even miss that excitment! It's good that the cube is turning up when it is in a way as we have another week at home afterwards yay! So we can enjoy our 2nd week at home with the girls helping them settle in before going back to work! Can you tell which week of our holiday I am looking forward to the most?! Don't tell boyfriend though. We booked the Skipton holiday cottage November last year and didn't know that it would clash with the most important date in the calendar year!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ange1 Posted June 17, 2008 Author Share Posted June 17, 2008 Do you think I could get my Dad to take lots of photos? he'll think I'm mad! Are the chaps from Omlet used to having their photo taken?! IF the photos that I've seen on here are anything to go by I'd say yes they are used to it! Sorry this is a long post! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Sorry this is a long post! A long three posts Personally I would ring and reserve if you have set your heart on a particular breed. When I got my two they were virtually the last chickens in the shop - still love them to bits though Whatever you decide to do, have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutrix Farmers Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Ring and reserve if you absolutely must have particular breeds. You could take pot luck, especially as you are getting a cube and they can take up to 10 chooks, as you can always get any preferred breeds that are unavailable at a later date. We got a Bovans Nera on the grounds they are friendly and docile - couldn't have got it more wrong, thinking of suing under the Trade Description Act, Katie is neither friendly or docile!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 I'd ring and reserve, too, then you get what you want. I have 4 different breeds of hen, in 4 very different colours, black, reddish brown, blonde/brown and white, and can honestly say they don't pick on the lightest coloured one. I think this is an old wives tale perhaps..?? I've never heard of it before, and it definitely doesn't happen with mine. I would definitely recommend the light sussex! I have one and she's lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ange1 Posted June 17, 2008 Author Share Posted June 17, 2008 Thanks both for your thoughts! I'd like 4 different sorts, but that's me wanting a colourful flock and to be easy tell at a glance which is which when looking down the garden! Mutrix I had to laugh at your comment about trade discription act thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 I've heard this one before, but chickens don't know what they look like so how would they know the lighter one is different? All mine are different colours, shapes and sizes, I've got hybrids and bantams, light ones, dark ones, grey, buff and ginger ones and I've never seen any truth in that. I'd go for different ones, it's nice to be able to see who's who out the window without having to really scrutinise them. It's also nice to have a mix of egg colours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
