4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[duckish delight]

HI all

 

I have been looking at the different breeds and there's some lovely ones. I would like to keep mabey 3, but can i keep different breeds together and in the same bed? I would appreciate any advice on chickens. Thanks

[Omletina Kyckling]

Hi,

Yes, you can keep different breeds in an Eglu - if you look at my signature I have lots of different types of chicken and they all get on together!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Yes, you can . Don't think chickens realise they are different breeds .

[Space Chick]

I got 4 different breeds because I thought it would help with their names, and they get on fine.

[Egluntyne]

I have different breeds too. It is much easier to count 5 ginger, 2 black 2 grey etc when they go back in at night, than to count 15 all of the same colour, as they refuse to line up.

[katieadams]

I have different breeds too. It is much easier to count 5 ginger, 2 black 2 grey etc when they go back in at night, than to count 15 all of the same colour, as they refuse to line up.

 

You need to get some discipline - mine line up at the door and take their shoes off

 

You decided on chickens then Duckish Delight??

[duckish delight]

Thanks for your advice. I would still love to keep ducks, but it would be more pratical for me to keep chickens and would love to have them roaming about all day, but I am still unsure about whether to or not. I love birds and love the birds that visit my garden but I would be slightly afraid of birds up close, I don't no why. It sounds like they like a lot of cuddles and would be unfair if I wasn't able to be close to them. Sound silly but its just a fear. I'll keep you posted, Thanks again x

[Patricia W]

Why don't you go on an Omlet course and then you can see how you feel. And/or visit one of us?

 

I have three and only one really likes being cuddled - even then if it's a contest between that and a worm, the worm wins every time. Cuddles are not compulsory.

 

Tricia

[Redwing]

I don't hug my chickens, I am just not that sort of person! I pick them up and check them over and sometimes one will jump on my knee and I will give it a stroke (of the nice sort!)

 

Interaction with your chickens is always good and you will see more of their personality when you spend time with them but I don't think they 'need' hugs as such

 

You will need to be able to catch and pick up your chickens for a health check at least weekly, this is really important but beyond that you don't need to pick them up if you don't want to

[Space Chick]

I love birds and love the birds that visit my garden but I would be slightly afraid of birds up close, I don't no why. It sounds like they like a lot of cuddles and would be unfair if I wasn't able to be close to them.

 

I had the same worry myself, however, I now love picking my girls up and giving them cuddles (Sarah-Jane and Donna come looking for cuddles!). Its strange really but because they are your own you have that bond with them and there is no fear.

 

I'm sure that you will be fine, although Tricias advice about going on a course seems good if you are concerned.

[jlo]

I have a little confession to make in that, when we were looking for two new ones, we deliberately chose completely different breeds as we weren't sure that we would be able to tell the difference if we got the same ones!

[duckish delight]

I think this site is great and would appriciate being able to call on you for a visit but, I live in N/Ireland so I wouldn't be able to. Im starting to think I could manage and my husband would be on stand-by. x

[mags]

Hi

 

I have 4 all different breeds and it's a great way to check as eggs are different shades and My columbine lays lovely blue/green eggs.

 

I don't like birds( caged ) but I love my chickens

A) not in my house

B) think they have a big personality compared to budgies etc

 

only other Bird I like is the bird in My local Pet shop , he's very friendly ( noisey too ! )

likes putting his wing out for a pet

 

Mags

[katieadams]

I never ever hug my chickens (it's the feet I don't like) but I do stroke them occasionally, and all the way home from collecting them I psyched myself up, and picked them up out of the box and into the myself, so now I can pick them up if I need to too . Didn't think I could do it but I decided the time had come to get over it and I did, hooray! Can't see the day I'm comfortable with them jumping up on my knee though

[TAJ]

When we got our first ones I wanted three different ones and looking at the stock they had in I asked if 'these ones were OK with those ones?' and was briskly told - they do not know they are different colours!

 

I do hope different ones go together as I have 6 chickens and 6 breeds!

 

Tracy

Edited May 4, 2009 by Guest

[Janty]

I've got all different breeds as well...look at my signature.

[sheik]

I could be wrong, but my impression is that most people with small flocks of pet chickens will get different breeds. Those that have slightly larger flocks are the ones more likely to have multiples of the same breed.

 

We have different breeds and sizes - two "normal" sized hens, one half size (the silkie bantam) and one quarter size (the sablepoot bantam). We'd have one or two double-size chickens such as a Buff Orpington too if we had room .

 

/\dam

[Puffin]

I think this site is great and would appriciate being able to call on you for a visit but, I live in N/Ireland so I wouldn't be able to. Im starting to think I could manage and my husband would be on stand-by. x

 

I have a friend in Northern Ireland (Lisburn) who I am sure would be willing to show you her chickens - they have six. Let me know if you are interested.

[duckish delight]

Thanks a lot that would be great and very helpful, as im new here I wasn't sure how to mail you direct

[Budgies]

Thanks for your advice. I would still love to keep ducks, but it would be more pratical for me to keep chickens and would love to have them roaming about all day, but I am still unsure about whether to or not. I love birds and love the birds that visit my garden but I would be slightly afraid of birds up close, I don't no why. It sounds like they like a lot of cuddles and would be unfair if I wasn't able to be close to them. Sound silly but its just a fear. I'll keep you posted, Thanks again x

 

I kept feeling nervous of the idea of keeping chickens and would say things like "they've got horrible scaley legs" to my OH. Even when I was waiting for them to be delivered, I was anxious, wondering whether I'd done the right thing!

 

My first post on this forum was "Help, I'm scared of my girls"! Makes me roar with laughter to read it now, I was really scared of their pecking! Of course they were just trying to find their feet and were being defensive of their territory. They (and I!) soon settled down.

 

My two girls were totally different personalities, Mango hated to be handled and held, whilst Chutney adored it and would fly up onto my lap, fluff up and fall asleep! If I was standing, she'd peck my shoe til I picked her up.

 

I'm amazed looking back that I was ever nervous of them, but they were the loveliest pets and I was really fond of my cuddles! I'd say go for it!

[Woodcat]

hey

 

Not all chickens like being cuddled. I've tryed repetedly with mine and they will tolerate being picked up and will let me do it but they will moan and scold me when i do. They seem to feel its not dignified i get called all sorts of rude names when i do. (but it's quite amusing so i do it anyway)