barbridge Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 hello. we are hoping to be first time chicken keepers. we've decided to keep them in a arc type run, but don't know what breed would be suitable. they would be in a small garden which would be moved around daily on grass, and we want consistent egg layers. we want roughly three to four, as the run would not be that large. any advice would be grateful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Hello and welcome to the forum The chickens I have were supplied by Omlet but you can buy hybrids elsewhere. Hybrids are good all year round layers. Chickens make excellent pets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headchicken Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 I'm not experienced yet (my chicks are only 14 days old!), but I got Rhode Island Reds because of their consistent egg laying reputation. Here's a nifty chart: http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbridge Posted February 20, 2009 Author Share Posted February 20, 2009 Thanks for your help. a friend of ours suggested a sussex breed. he buys them from ebay and then incubates them. hopefully we can get them in the easter. thanks again for your help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atsw Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Chicken keeping is really quite easy for the most part. With four chickens you will need to keep moving the Arc around the garden, probably daily if they can't free range. They can be quite destructive on the poor old grass otherwise, especially if they are 'scratchers' (my previous hybrids were, my two Buff Orps less so). Just provide them with food and water, and as much attention as you can spare, and in return you'll gets loads of lovely eggs. And if you thought free range eggs from the supermarket were good, wait till you get your first 'home produced' egg, there's no comparison- soooo much better. Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Welcome to the forum, Barbridge . Most hybrids are consistent, reliable layers (although you get the odd hen who doesn't conform ). I've got 3 breeds (see my signature) that all lay really well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbridge Posted February 20, 2009 Author Share Posted February 20, 2009 we will move them around daily, and when we're at home let them have a run in the garden. does anyone know if light sussex' are scratchers, and so they ruin the garden? what poisonous plants do you have to look out for? Thanks once again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 HI barbridge, well to the world of chooks! I'd suggest hybrids as the lay all year round, where as pure breeds tend to have the winter off three is a great number to have Which part of the country are you in, I am sure fellow omleteers will have suggestions for where to go to look at some..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 does anyone know if light sussex' are scratchers, and so they ruin the garden? what poisonous plants do you have to look out for? I think ALL chickens are scratchers . Here are the results of a search for "poisonous plants" (hope the link works!). Generally, chickens will know which plants they can and can't eat (not such bird brains ) but have a read for more info . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbridge Posted February 20, 2009 Author Share Posted February 20, 2009 hello again. we live in norfolk so it would be great to hear someone who could sell us three small to medium chickens! we've decided not to get a cockeral as the neighbours won't appreciate it, plus there's not much point. we have also been thinking about names. any good suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Are these any use to you ? http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=4658 http://wiki.omlet.co.uk/index.php/Chicken_Names Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbridge Posted February 20, 2009 Author Share Posted February 20, 2009 aha! those links were very useful. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 You could also do a good old google search or look in the back of a practical poultry mag, they are great for info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
