4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[kayandrob]

Hi we are looking at breeds of chickens at the moment, ideally we want 3 chickens, but haven't got a clue what type, can anyone advise us on types, there seem so many but I haven't a clue what to look for, we have a while to decide as our Eglu doesn't arrive till 15th August. We have a 2.5 year old son so we really want some friendly chickens, but ones that will lay eggs too, hubby really likes the ones with the fluffy legs but I wasn't sure if you can mix and match breeds?

 

Sorry these probably sound very stupid questions, but I'm still waiting for my chicken book to arrive so not clued up yet.

 

Thanks Kay

[stoice]

Well you have lots to choose from, good luck. Bantams are good if you have small children as they are easier to pick up (But you get smaller eggs). Hybrids lay more eggs throughout the year than a pure bred. I personally have a black rock who will lay up to 250-300 eggs a year, and a bluebelle who is beautiful (also a good layer). But then there are some beautiful pure breds out there! Then you could get a blue egg layer?... It's tricky. In the end it'll probably come down to how much you can afford and where you can get them from. I was told that birds with feathered feet on a permantent run could have issues with caked mud etc in winter so I discounted them but they are SO beautifull too. If only I had a small holding, I'd have them all!

As for mix and match you should be ok as long they're of a similar age but go slowly with intros if you get them at different times. Someone else will be along with much more technical info I'm sure. How exciting for you!!

[Scramble]

I personally am going to get pekin bantams, fluffy legs, can live in small space (or big!) very friendly, quiet too, although the eggs are smaller and might be bullied if introducing other breeds. Though a breed I considered getting was the welsummer, can be bred as a welsummer bantam, they lay all through the year though a drop in winter but are very friendly and hardy but not the best mothers.

Have you tried the breeds section on this site though?

Very useful!

[moochoo]

I think that sometimes you make lots of plans, then when you get to the breeders you completely go on instinct.

The questions I'd ask myself are: bantam vs full size

hybrid vs pure breed vs a mix of the two

is egg colour important?

Have a look at a couple of the breeders websites, they should have some gratuitous photos so at least you can see what you like the look of.

It's hard to advise someone else because everyone has different views.

[Helen&Lee]

I would mix and match - because Hybrids wil lay through the winter and pure breeds tend to take a break.

 

I have feathered leg girls - Brahma's (in a permanent run ) but they are a big breed and it would be tight in an Eglu with two others (IMO)

You can get bantum versions...

 

The best thing to to would be to take a visit to The Domestic Fowl Trust, at Honeybourne near Evesham, they have some fields out the back with loads of different breeds - be sure to buy some corn at the till.

It will give you a good idea of what you like and don't like...

 

There's also a fabulous lady at Pinvin, near Pershore, very friendly, helpful and has a great selection of breeds.

Her name is Sharon Gould - 07894 743816, she is very tolerant of daft questions too.

[FORENSICA]

Hi, I could recommend ISA Brown (standard battery hen) since I have one of these and she is the friendliest ever. Would run to greet us, you can stroke her and pick her up any time. Lovely bird, definitively suitable for children. Yes, and she lay and egg almost every day!

 

I also have a Skyline, laying blue eggs. But she is rather flighty, not possible to touch her really.

 

But every bird is different, I do not think you can say that that particular breed will be friendly, like lets say about cats. What we have done with the ISA was that when we came to pick a bird, I took the one which was standing by the fence and looking at us and was not scared when the men went in. Perfect choice!

[kayandrob]

thanks for your replies, I have looked on the breeds part and there is so much to look at, I really am confused with all the different types, we live quite close to the Honeybourne Fowl Trust in Evesham so will go there to look first. I found a spreadsheet online somewhere which compared egg laying etc but can't find it now, so frustrating, does anyone know any other good informative websites I can read up on?

 

Hubby originally said he wanted Bantams (is that how they are spelt?), would be nice to know who laid what eggs too so any suggestions on what type would be great then we can do a short list of possibles, hoping to try and get them all at the same time.

[Helen&Lee]

The gingernuts which Omlet will provide are lovely, mine follows me around - always got something to chat about..

 

One of the Speckledys I got recently is lovely too - I keep treading on her - she always right under your feet.

 

As for eggs, both of these will be regular layers - the gingernuts are 'normal' coloured, while the Speckledy should be dark brown speckled.

 

The same breed can have different personalties though - I have 4 Brahmas, one is extremely standoffish (sp) while one of the others is the most gentle chook, willingly sits in my 8yr old niece's grasp.

 

Really, once you see some breeds those spreadsheets will be out the window and you will be swapping the eglu for a cube..

[Jillus]

I found this site quite good for info on lots of chickens, if you go the bottom of each breed page it tells you what they each lay in a year.

http://www.poultrypages.com/chicken-breeds.html

[Hen Watch]

Hi Kay and Rob,

 

Until your chicken books arrive there is some basic starter info on this Omlet guide.

 

http://www.omlet.co.uk/files/public/omlet_guide_buying_chickens.pdf

 

I personally have hybrids (all friendly with my kids and my 2 yr old nephew). The Omlet Gingernut Ranger (a hybrid) is especially friendly and inquisitive.

[Sandychick]

I live a few miles from you and can recommend Oak Meadow Farm in Romsley (www.oakmeadowfarm.co.uk). I got an Amber Star from here recently and was very impressed. They chickens they sell are all good egg laying hybreds and good for fist time chicken keeping.

 

 

Willow (Amber Star)

[Egg Lou]

I live a few miles from you and can recommend Oak Meadow Farm in Romsley (www.oakmeadowfarm.co.uk). I got an Amber Star from here recently and was very impressed. They chickens they sell are all good egg laying hybreds and good for fist time chicken keeping.

 

 

Willow (Amber Star)

 

Oh yes I would recommend Amber Stars too.. although mine was rather stand offish till she started laying.. now a real poppet!

[kayandrob]

Hi, thanks for the links, I have been sat here all evening looking at different types of chickens, that last link to the pdf is the one I saw the other day but couldn't find again so thanks for that

 

After looking at the different types etc, can you tell me if you can mix hybrids with Pure Breeds? Basically we have all fallen in love with the little Silkie but wasn't sure if we went for one of those could we put it with a Bovans Nera and another medium size chook? Also can you tell me what weight a Bluebelle is classed as? we really like so many its hard to choose, I can see a cube will be on my xmas list to hubby!!!

 

Thanks for all the replies, really glad I found this forum, I'm already totally addicted

[kayandrob]

Hi both sorry I was writing the post before when you both posted, I have been looking at that website and have got it on the list to go and see, did you have to ring to make an appointment before going? I want to go and look round and chickens before we get them but dont want to waste peoples time and wasn't sure if your expected to purchase there and then?

[Helen&Lee]

Yes, you can mix pure breeds and hybrids.

 

We made an appointment to go and see the chooks Sharon Gould had, then chose the ones we wanted (totally different to what were going to have ) and collected them 10 days later.

 

If you want to see a cube you are welcome to come and see ours, Redditch is about 45mins away.

[AJuff]

From my experience Ambers and sussex hens are the friendliest.

[Sandychick]

Probably a good idea to call or e-mail Oak Meadow Farm first. You will probably need directions as well!! It's on Bromsgrove Road up a track at the side of the Pub (can't remember the name of the pub but it's next to a primary school). Their post code is B62 0LF to find them on Multimap or something like that.