Chicken bald back

[A chickychickychick-ENN!!]

I still have about a week to choose my breeds before getting them in mid-August. I am getting all my housing and feeding stuff from Ben at Hen House in Maidstone. But I'm still in need of some advise on picking the chickens.

 

He has some hybrids called 'Mendleshams' - which are brown, white or blue. I can't find any info about Mendleshams anywhere, despite reading a lot of websites and books. Does anyone know what they are hybrids of?

 

And does anyone have any experience of them? I understand they are great 'beginner' chickens. Which I assume means not skitish, good, calm temperaments, good layers. I want calm hens because I AM a beginner, but I'm also into the idea of pretty chickens, as they live for so long.

 

The Mendleshams look a little bit 'mongrely' so I'm not sure I'd want ALL Mendleshams.

 

Can anyone advise me on how to make a good choice and the right balance between looks and demeanour (I thought you only had to make that decision about boyfriends. Now it's hens too!)

 

Thanks in advance,

Anna

[wombatally]

I think Mendlesham is the breeders prefix and the hybrids are pretty standard, for example the Blue should be the same as a Blue Ranger, Bluebelle etc. Breeders tend to distinguish theirs with a prefix such as Amber Star, Amber Link etc but are the same.

 

I have a Blue Ranger and she is beautiful! If they're not looking so good though I'd be wary of buying them from the breeder and find another...

 

Hope this helps

[Egluntyne]

Mendlesham Blues are similar to the Bluebelle.

 

Very pretty, often with a greyish comb.

[katieandnick]

To tell you the truth, out of all of our girls, the White Stars are the most friendly, cuddly and pick-up-able! Despite all the evidence to the contrary (the breeder said they would be flighty and standoffish - not true at all!)

 

I think like all living things, you get shades of behaviour. Pepperpots are supposed to be friendly, etc., but our Jane is an evil so & so!

[Lynn]

Are you looking at just larger chickens? Have you thought about bantams, especially pekins who are cute, easy going, absolutely love company and lay small but perfect eggs?!

 

Ben is great, but have you tried Capralama? http://www.capralama.freeserve.co.uk

 

They have a fantastic range of chickens, large and small (and pigmy goats, reindeer, llamas...)

[quickcluck]

Hi there!

 

I collected 6 from ben last friday! What a lovely man.. as has been said before dont be put off by the prefix, as far as I know a ranger whatever the prefix is always brown and bluebelle blue/grey extra.... I think it depends on the size of the hens you are looking for. The rangers/ambers are smaller than a blue or sussex for example, so they will lay slightly more eggs....

 

How many are you going to have? Do you have an eglu/cube???

 

Good luck whatever you decide, and keep us posted!!!

[A chickychickychick-ENN!!]

Thanks all!

 

Ben is marvellous. So enthusiastic, clear, patient, helpful and importantly, affordable. His housing is much better value than almost identical things I have seen elsewhere. Especially his arks. And his blues are very pretty.

 

It's the brown and white Mendleshams that look a little unpretty. They are very very docile, but I'm being a long-term s"Ooops, word censored!" about it. I want at least one pretty chicken. I wasn't sure if the blues can be a bit pecky or naughty in comparison.

 

I was going for two, but think four will be better with a run extension. Probably a mix of breeds.

 

As for bantams - he has some cute as buttons pekins, but I think a new coop with bantams will suit being pencilled in for next year. One has to break the non-chicken people in one's life in slowly!

[quickcluck]

My blue is very pretty, and socialable although being very new its hard to tell how touchly feely she will be.... the most docile is the amber i've managed to pick her up.... the ranger is also good and nosey. The stunning ones to look at are the pied suffolk and the fenning black, but haven't managed contact yet!

 

When I did a bit of research on here (loads actually) the general consensus was 3 or more, so maybe your 4 is a good number!

 

Good luck whatever you decide...

[likeastar--x]

I chose 3 breeds at random that I liked, and after getting them home found out that only one of them produces eggs from november to march. needless to say i was a bit miffed!

 

i think 1 pretty bird who is perhaps less friendly or less productive and one or two other practical birds who lay well and are friendly is a good balance.

 

the bluebelle is a gorgeous bird, a bit more shy than others and doesnt produce eggs through winter though.

 

Good luck on your search!

[likeastar--x]

The sussex ranger is pretty, sociable and an excellent layer. ours is the bottom of the pecking order, but shes still quite friendly!

[beach chick]

my bluebelles (1 now expired) lay pretty much all year round...

[quickcluck]

phew! I am pleased to hear that, as my blue hasn't started laying yet, and I was beginning to think I might miss the boat until next year!

[wombatally]

I'd definately have a Blue - Skye is beautiful and she laid her first egg yesterday. She seemed flighty when I got her but she looked so pretty, however about a fortnight ago she started crouching and has become ever so friendly and docile.

 

Ambers are terriffic too - mine is all white and loves attention!

[A chickychickychick-ENN!!]

Beach chick, you give eggcellent hen names!

 

Advice taken on board, I think I'll opt for a ranger, an amber, a blue and an other to be decided. If he has them.

 

This is them:

http://www.freewebs.com/bantams-for-the-garden/chickensforsale.htm

 

They all look good and healthy at Ben's. The ambers, rangers and black tails looked a little more grungey is all.

 

You know - it's sort of like choosing between Angelina Jolies and Nora Battys. Noras are better company, but Angelina is the looker!

[beach chick]

well thank you chickychickENN!! the kids chose the latest lot...

we nearly went to Ben, but then I found a couple of more local guys.

[AJuff]

If you'd like friendly hens that get under your feet then definately get an Amber. Our two are so friendly and tame as are our two sussex stars. Very placid and calm. Black rocks and brown nicks are friendly ans easy too.

 

In my opinion I wouldn't get a skyline/columbine as our three are flighty, very standoffish, and stroppy. As OH says, there's a price for those lovely blue and green eggs!!

 

Have you considered egg colour as well as breed?