cluckbok Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 Well, we are still thinking about getting a cube and 2 new hens. Currently we have one Columbian Blacktail (calder ranger), one Columbine and one Speckledy. The Speckledy doesn't lay and isn't likely too. The other two girls lay fine. We wouldn't want another speckledy cause not had great experience with her so far really, she doing ok though and we would never give her away. We were thinking of definately getting another Columbian Blacktail because she's such a good faithful egg layer bless her and so friendly. But what other hybrid or hen would you recommend? what are Bluebelles like? I love the colour of them they so pretty. We want something that isn't flighty or known to be noisy so we know not to go for a white star! We are thinking about it very carefully, got to measure up in the garden to see how cube would fit first. But want to consider all options. It's quite exciting but a bit worrying too. We plan to site the eglu beside the cube with the two newbies in the eglu. We would get the cube first and put the eglu away and then put the old girls in the cube first for about a week to settle in, then put the eglu beside cube and get new girls. Then after about a week start letting them all free range under supervision, and so on, one step at a time. Does this sound ok? Sorry about all the questions! Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 I agree about taking it slowly and putting them within sight of each other Cluckbok. Scattering corn also helps when they are free ranging together. They will probably be some bok boking and flapping of wings, but it does settle very quickly. Would love a Blue belle but cannot advise on their personalities. I would say that most hybrids have good natures. Good luck with the new additions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 The introduction thing sounds fine to me, as long as you give them time and space to start with although there will always be an element of pecking when they're first confined. Never had a Bluebelle either although they are stunning and I would have loved one. All the hybrids are good layers and normally not extreme in nature, that said your Speckledy is a rubbish layer, mine is fab, a great mother and a lovely hen so they are all as individual as us really. My Buff Orpington is as dim as she is fluffy - ever so docile and SO easy to catch (very remarkable when we thing she might actually be a he!) but she hasn't started laying yet so have no idea how regular if at all she will be. My Omlet girls and my Speckledy are still my most regular layers, so I'd go for the hybrids if you want eggs and if you want breeds, well, I'm sure others will be along with their recomendations! Good luck choosing, and I have a cube and eglu exactly as you describe, the eglu is also good if one gets sick (and if one goes broody - she can sit and hatch in there!!) Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 My bluebelle is the noisiest chook I have, & she is also quite difficult to catch. In fact all my girls are proving hard to catch at the moment, I have my older girls on a slow-going-on-forever moult & my two flighty newer girls The introduction plan you have sounds perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 i'm after a bluebelle too for my new cube with 2-3 others . I don't really understand the problem with catching hens do you mean to do something to them or to put them back in the run? i just chuck corn in the run works every time, maybe mine are just pigs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 Advice about managing intros **here** You plan sounds spot on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 i'm after a bluebelle too for my new cube with 2-3 others .I don't really understand the problem with catching hens do you mean to do something to them or to put them back in the run? i just chuck corn in the run works every time, maybe mine are just pigs What I meant was picking them up. Didn't make myself clear, as usual. I have a treat bowl that gets them running over & back in the run like shots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 lol i did wonder as mine are such pigs ! mine are ok as they usually crouch but before they were laying they were a nightmare i don't often pick them up though especially in this weather!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 My Bluebelle is hard to get hold of but very calm once picked up, she is also the best looking of my hens she always looks clean and glossy against the rag-tag remainder of my little flock! I have an Amber Lee (white with brown spots/patches) who is easy to catch, calm when caught and very pretty too (when clean and not having a mini moult) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckbok Posted January 11, 2009 Author Share Posted January 11, 2009 Thanks all very helpful and what I thought we should do. I'm a little worried abit doing it but I suppose it's like when you first get chooks, you just have to go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 I would suggest an Amber star (Amber Lee) they are a friendly hen, I have 2. They lay well and are really cheeky. I have a bluebelle and she's not the friendliest of birds but is a good layer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 My new little bluebelle is so gentle and friendly. She has the most pretty girlie face you've ever seen and her feathers are beautiful. She's my favourite already and I've only had her a day!!! The Ambers and Sussex Stars we have are very very friendly and sweet too. The same cannot be said of the columbines, they are very unfriendly and run away every time, they are agressive to the other hens and ruler of the roost. My OH says there's a price for those lovely blue and green eggs!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
