Single hen

[sunshinesupernova]

I've got a blue rablu that I bought second hand a couple of years ago..... due to various commitments, the time was never right to fill it ! Ive just got round to buying the conversion for chickens.

 

I had a little boy end of October and although still going in and out of work daily complete with baby (got to keep an eye on the place ) - I've also got daylight hours I'm not used to having.

 

I might be tempted into a second eglu too. We've got a fair sized garden in the countryside and I've also got 10 acres 3 miles away. I'm intending to have the chooks at home .... as apart from horses, I grow my own veg down the road and don't want the chickens wrecking the veg plot

 

If things don't work out at home, I could make a walk in run down at the stables.....

 

So - what do I get to start with ? I fancy coloured egg layers - maybe a cream legbar and something else..... I've been phoning round locally and can get pol hybrids from several places now an may go for a look... but can't track down at the moment. One breeder is starting to incubate eggs now, so they'll be ready to go in about 10 weeks.

 

I'd like friendly chickens. Are some breeds naturally more friendly / docile than others ? Are there any to avoid that are known to be as mad as a box of frogs ? I realise it's all in the amount of handling. Given choice is it best to get them really young ?

 

I could get some pol now and wait on a and put them in a second eglu I suppose or..... ohhhhh - tooooo exciting !

[BeckyBoo]

Hi there, welcome to the forum, congratulations on your babe, your set up sounds FAB, am very

I've had two cream legbars, and in my opinion they're a bit flighty, I hatched one so had her right from the start, the other I've had since she was about 10 weeks and neither are / were particularly friendly. Hybrids are best for eggs obviously, but, like you, I wanted a blue egg layer which is why I went for the legbar. My hybrids are really friendly too, my daftest and therefore easist to catch are the buff orpington and the poland, but they're both an acquired taste and not brill at laying eggs. To be honest you are best off going along to look, I chose all sorts of breeds, but ultimately came away from the suppliers each time with the "prettiest" birds he had at the time Most hens are pretty much stomach led, so once they're laying they'll mug you for food every time you go near them!!

 

Have great fun choosing, this forums great for everything to do with chooks (and everything else too!!)

 

And obviously we need pictures as soon as you can!

 

BeckyBoo

[Hen Watch]

Hello, welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new baby boy.

 

I can only tell you about hybrids as that's what I have. The Omlet Gingernut Ranger, Omlet Miss Pepperpot, and Meadowsweet Amber Star. All friendly, docile, lovely chickens and good layers (normal colour eggs though). Good with children too.

 

If I had my time again, I might get some pure breed hens as a mix too. And you mention getting a second eglu as you have the space. If I had your space I would get an eglu and 4 hens now, then 2 years down the line get a 2nd eglu and new POL hens, so that I had new hens for when the others were older and laying less. My situation is I only have room for 1 eglu and my little darlings are going into retirement, so I forsee a future of having to buy eggs at some point.

 

You mention one breeder is hatching some soon, I would definately make sure that they were old enough to reliably tell they were chickens and not boys (or that any that turned out as noisy boys could be given back).

 

Have fun choosing whatever you decide.

[sunshinesupernova]

Thank you both.

 

I think I'll go have a look see at 2 places I have in mind before my base comes on Friday. That way, I've got an excuse not to buy if I'm not 100% - and can buy them and collect 2 > 3 days later if I am.

 

But you know what they say about the bes laid plans ....

 

If buying youngsters - I think I'd opt for auto-sexing breeds if possible so to try nad not end up with boys !

 

How many hybrids in an eglu ? 4 versus 3 large pure breed ?... or other ?

[Hen Watch]

How many hybrids in an eglu ? 4 versus 3 large pure breed ?... or other ?

 

I've got 4 standard hybrids in an eglu and they fit perfectly OK. But I do personally feel they need an extended run, so I have bought a converter to add the extra 1m.

[prudance]

Wow - your set up sounds amazing. But hang on a minute... you have a new baby and you say you have spare daylight hours?!! Why aren't you sleeping in those spare hours? And what have I been doing wrong for the past four years?!!! You officially make the Super Mum category!

 

Good luck with the chickens and your little one

[sunshinesupernova]

I've been working part time since Oliver was a week old. When he is asleep, I work !

 

Blooming nightmare in the early days - but helps keep me sane. Unfortunately, I can do very very little with the horses as I dare not take him in with them. Thankfully - they live out 24/7, so at the moment its a case of feeding them and a pat on the nose. I'll get a bit more time once Spring arrives and my oh is home a bit earlier in the evening.

 

Oliver does come to work with me a few hours a day and he does enjoy it - lots of attention and plenty toys... we're taking over the office !

 

It's not all work - we do a couple of baby classes a week and I'm hoping to start taking him swimming this week. Not super mum - just an ordinary mum who dotes on her little one

 

Now I do have daylight hours, it's perfect time to fit in some chickens. The poo will be great on my veg patch down the road and chickens would be nice pets that Oliver can help with when he is a little bigger.

[puddleduck]

I am soon to get some chickens too and found Merrydale Poultry sells some hybrids (Merrydale Crested) that, fingers crossed should lay they also lay approx 280 eggs a year!

 

http://www.merrydalepoultry.co.uk/hybrids.htm

 

Good Luck