Cooks Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 can anyone tell me where to find this please, I can find where it tells me where my local breeder is, but they do not have then hen I am looking for... I know you will know where to point me... I am looking for a bluebelle (I have wanted one for ages!) and a blue egg layer (hopefully) I have found skylines, but on reading further it says they are not really suitable as pets as they are a lively bird?? any thoughts there? so I thought Cream Legbar? Columbine? (I think they lay blue/green eggs?) I know the hybrids are not guaranteed blue/green egg layers but I dont mind really. Any help much appreciated as always xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 The Practical Poultry breeders list is good for showing actual breeds next to breeders by county. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted January 11, 2009 Author Share Posted January 11, 2009 thanks I will try and find that I would have really liked to have stuck with hybrids if I could, but dont want a flighty scatty bird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 Columbines are hybrids. Cream Legbars are pure breeds and you'll pay a premium because of that too, but they are lovely and quite friendly-more so when they're laying-but that's the same with every breed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 Columbines and skylines are the same hybrid (a cream legbar cross), just different names at different places. I have 2 skylines and they're just lovely. One's extremely friendly and is a wonderful pet. Before you buy one have a good look at their earlobes for a blue/green tinge. It's a good indicator of their egg colour. I did that with both of mine and I have a blue and a green egg layer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted January 11, 2009 Author Share Posted January 11, 2009 so in your opinion the skylines are not flighty and would be ok with my kids? I don't have small kids 11 and 13 but the 11 year old is a tad wary at times if they fly at him. that's handy to know about the columbines and skylines being one and the same. the cream legbars (albeit far away) I have found have stated that they are not vaccinated as they are pure breeds, I have not heard this before (not having ever looked at pure breeds) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 A breeder in my village breeds Cream Legbars - If you look at Helen's 'goodness they have grown' thread you will see them - If I remember correctly Helen's came from the breeder here. The place is called Pear Tree Farm. My local garden centre of all places sells Columbines! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 I have to say, it's like most hens each one is different. I can only speak of mine and say they're great pets and not flighty at all now they're laying. They were a little skittish before then but nothing horrendous. I think regular handling at bedtime helps but I don't think you'll be disapointed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenmb Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 Hi I am quite near you (Peterborough) - and I've just posted some pictures of my newest girls this afternoon that Redwing has just mentioned. I got my Bluebelle from http://www.cambridgepoultry.co.uk/ they are fab there but only sell mainly hybrids but no Blue egg layers. I have a blue egg layer (but not had a first egg yet from her) I bought her and 3 other non-hybrids from Pear Tree farm which is near Towcester in Northamptonshire. I drove from Peterborough to there in about and hour and a quarter. This is their web page http://www.peartreefarmpoultry.co.uk/home.asp. They have LOTS of really unusual breeds but in particular bantums. However, all my girls are large fowl. If you can find a copy of Practical Poultry in WH Smiths there is a really large Breeder directory always towards the back of the magazine which is very useful. Some breeders will deliver (at a cost!) but that might be better than driving miles to find a suitable hen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted January 11, 2009 Author Share Posted January 11, 2009 my only problem I have found is a lot of places will not sell single hens... I understand why of course but I want a bluebelle and skyline so if I cant find a breeder that sells both these types I will have to buy single hens from two breeders on same day.?? I know Cambridge Poultry well, it's 5 minutes up the road from me He's a lovely man there! I have found a place an hour away so I think I will stick to that unless I can find any a little earlier in feb, as they will not be available until the 21st february (15 weeks old). The lady there is lovely so I would happy with them and I have been recommended there. They will just be a tad young, so I will have to keep them in the eglu a lot longer than I first thought.. although I do love it when they are young! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 A breeder in my village breeds Cream Legbars - If you look at Helen's 'goodness they have grown' thread you will see them - If I remember correctly Helen's came from the breeder here. The place is called Pear Tree Farm. My local garden centre of all places sells Columbines! Is that Bell Plantation Tasha? We went there the other weekend as were having a reccie of the area and i thought i spotted a couple although it said something diffrent (can't remember what) on the pen! They had some very impressive looking cockerels and even had a on display. I think i might be spending some of my time and money there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggypeggy Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 Have you tried Thornes poultry, near letchworth? If you give them a buzz, I'm sure they'll be able to let you know what they have and when they have them in. They don't always have what you want at the right time. But worth a call. My skyline is a little skittish.. you can definately tell the difference between her and my other chooks. But nothing to be concerned about. Once she started laying she calmed down quite alot. She gives us green eggs! Love them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 A breeder in my village breeds Cream Legbars - If you look at Helen's 'goodness they have grown' thread you will see them - If I remember correctly Helen's came from the breeder here. The place is called Pear Tree Farm. My local garden centre of all places sells Columbines! Is that Bell Plantation Tasha? We went there the other weekend as were having a reccie of the area and i thought i spotted a couple although it said something diffrent (can't remember what) on the pen! They had some very impressive looking cockerels and even had a on display. I think i might be spending some of my time and money there Thats it! its a nice place to spend time (and money...) They have been re-treating the pens so have run down their chook stock so I am expecting to see more there soon. The Columbines are labelled as Columbines when they have them in but they have some similar called Black Tails who lay brown eggs. Beech House - the vets next door to the garden centre is a lovely chicken-friendly vet practice if you are looking for one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Have you tried Thornes poultry, near letchworth? If you give them a buzz, I'm sure they'll be able to let you know what they have and when they have them in. They don't always have what you want at the right time. But worth a call. My skyline is a little skittish.. you can definately tell the difference between her and my other chooks. But nothing to be concerned about. Once she started laying she calmed down quite alot. She gives us green eggs! Love them. i'd like to buy from there just wish they had a website with whats available don't get alot of time to make childfree phonecalls lol just have to go over there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Loops, look on the pekinbantams.com forum (not just fro bantams) I got 2 new araucana pullets from a breeder in Stafford last autumn - they are smashing birds and lay blue eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted January 12, 2009 Author Share Posted January 12, 2009 thanks Clare, will do!!.. off to look now! xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madbird Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 All five of my pullets came from Pear Tree Farm - one being a Cream Legbar - she is a real character, but of all of the hens, she is the only one who will not tollerate being handled. She's not started laying yet, but Chris as Pear Tree said most of the Legars he has are laying Olive coloured eggs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 thanks Clare, will do!!.. off to look now! xx Post a wanted thread and see what happens, although there may not be much stock around until March or April. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted January 12, 2009 Author Share Posted January 12, 2009 I've had a look, that would be too late for me, I cant wait that long as the eglu is due to go to it's new home. I will stick with a skyline I think and bluebelle from essex way the breeder was lovely! They will be about 15 weeks so will stay in the eglu a fair few weeks, but at least I will have them here. I like the idea of them all being Hybrids. dont ask me why. I cant find a thornes website so that puts me off, I hate calling! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Skylines are lovely hens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted January 12, 2009 Author Share Posted January 12, 2009 it will also be very nail biting waiting to see what colour her eggs will actually be, especially with the 70% only for blue etc.. I like the idea of her keeping us on our toes I have to make a booking in two weeks time to collect them on the 21st feb. little darlings! I was looking back at pictures of my two girls when they were 15/16 weeks old and they were skinny scrawny little things makes you realise how much they have grown in front of your eyes!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ygerna Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Columbines are hybrids. Cream Legbars are pure breeds and you'll pay a premium because of that too, but they are lovely and quite friendly-more so when they're laying-but that's the same with every breed. Off topic but thank you for this snippet of info. On Saturday Storm was all over us, chasing the children wanting to be close to them, coming right up to me and wanting me to pet her. Later she laid her first egg no eggs Sunday and she was back to her aloof self but today, she was incredibly friendly again and sure enough I found another perfect little egg in the nest box later. I thought the over friendly-ness was because she was more used to us but it seems perhaps it was because she was ready to lay. (hope the OP doesn't mind me hyjacking the thread ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted January 12, 2009 Author Share Posted January 12, 2009 nope dont mind at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ygerna Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 nope dont mind at all Phew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Loopyloo a quick tip on getting green or blue eggs from Skylines or Columbines. When you are choosing which one have a look at their ear lobes and that will tell you what colour egg they will lay... Here is a Skyline with Blue/Green earlobes = or Here is a Leghorn hen with white earlobes = And here is a Orpington hen with red earlobes = or Hope that helps and good luck with the !!!!! Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
