nutterly_uts Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 with a mix of decent layers and more ornamental "pretty" birds (probably to show) what would you suggest? (am looking at the ratio 4 layers to 6 pretties who may/may not lay well) I'm starting to plan my next hatch, and am wondering what to put in the incubator. I currently have a bantam of unknown parentage, a light sussex (maybe a cross, she grew up funky but looks LS now) and 2 silkies. I am almost certainly sticking in at least 4 silkies eggs, but that leaves up to 18 more spaces in the incy I don't have any real preferences to breeds, am just after a pretty coop that will also provide a decent amount of eggs BUT I am not a fan of hybrids as a rule, purely as I personally find the colors pretty uninteresting, and would prefer to have prettier pure breeds (like light sussex) over the probably more productive hybrids Ideally I'd like them all to lay different colored eggs, so I can identify who's laying, but that will probably prove to be too picky? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 I can't offer much advice but I do have a really pretty Bluebelle hybrid who is beautiful - a really pretty colour and is so elegant and dainty (for a fat hen!) she lays brown eggs but they have a dusky warm colouring often described as a 'plum blush' Marans lay lovely dark eggs - I would love one of those! Other than that I love the silver seabright hens and would go for one of them if I wanted a 'pretty' Good luck with your flock assesembly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Wyandottes very colourful! Araucana Lovely colour and they lay blue or green eggs! Cream Legbar or Leghorn lay white eggs and nice colouring Marans very dark brown egg Hope that helps Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Here is some pics of the breeds I mentioned... Wyandottes Araucanas OR Cream Legbar & Leghorn Legbar--- Lehorn--- And Marans Hope that helps! Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutterly_uts Posted November 22, 2008 Author Share Posted November 22, 2008 Oo I like some of your suggestions I have been looking at Croad Langshans (sp?) who lay eggs with a plum blush, but they are rare I think so I may need to re-think that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Well they are pretty (I think!) a slightly smaller orpington style bird but are better layers! Two breeders near me have some... In Gloucester Fosters Poultry...Croad Langshan £ http://www.fosterschickens.co.uk/ Near Hampshire and Dorset Chalk Hill Poultry...Croad Langshan £18 at 17weeks or £30 at 18weeks!!! http://www.chalkhillpoultry.co.uk/ There you go Oh and.... Hope Ive helped Tom P.S Please get some wyandottes they're amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
half dozen Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 You must get a splash cochin! look how beautiful she is at only 15 week old x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutterly_uts Posted November 22, 2008 Author Share Posted November 22, 2008 She *is* pretty! How big will she get/is she now? My list keeps changing, but seems to be starting to form. I have googled aracana, and am not a fan of those (I am far too fussy ) so keep the ideas coming! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruth1 Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Orpingtons are gorgeous fluffy girls, Faverolles are pretty , Silver laced Wyandottes are lovely. What about Cochins, Apenzellers, Houdans, Polands and Frizzles are all lovely too, actually the list could go on couldnt it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutterly_uts Posted November 22, 2008 Author Share Posted November 22, 2008 I am not keen on fuzzy headed chickens (silkies excepted) so polish are out. I don't like the frizzle look (sorry ) but will have a google of the other kinds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutterly_uts Posted November 22, 2008 Author Share Posted November 22, 2008 I have come across Barnevelders, and am liking those Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madchickenlady Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Pekins! They have fabulous charcters, can easily hold their own over bigger hens, and come in a wide variety of colours. Rubbish layers, though Can you guess what breed my chooks are? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutterly_uts Posted November 22, 2008 Author Share Posted November 22, 2008 Funny you should say that.. am looking at pekins at the mo!! I *think* i have my shortlist, which I will reveal shortly. . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaronmusgrove123 Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 hi pekins are amazing i have silkie's then a few weeks aqo i got some pekins and i now dont like my silkie's they are sooo ugly compared and grumpy Aaron p.s have a look at the pics of my silkies and pekins on my link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madchickenlady Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 I have two millefleurs, a red and a blue pekin. They are gorgeous, fluffy little comedians. The second I open the door, they come waddling towards me, mouths open looking for treats! They are unbelievably tame and well mannered with people. My five year old regularly tucks one under his arm while pottering around the garden, and has never been pecked by a grumpy chook. I'm rather embarassed to say that I'm completely smitten Go on, treat yourself to a couple of pekins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutterly_uts Posted November 22, 2008 Author Share Posted November 22, 2008 My shortlist is: Pekins x 3 (? egg color) Silky bantams x 3 (white) Blue laced Barnevelder (plum blush brown) Light Sussex (large white) Croad Langshan (maran brown) Cochin (pale brown?) Cochin, pekin and silky colors to be decided, but right now am looking at a splash cochin, a lavender or lavender cuckoo , a millefleur and a wheaton or blue pekin, and more then likely a partridge, a black and a blue silky. I am semi tempted to streamline a trio of blue/black silkies off into the eglu to create splash myself.. hm. I know 10 is the maximum chicken number omlet suggests, but is this only for all the same size chickens? In other words, If I make my run as big as I can (probably 4-5m long), could I have more then 10, especially if most of the chickens were bantam? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
