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

[Budgies]

Having lost my wee Omlet ladies we're now trying to decide whether to go for hybrids again or pure breeds, which are generally a little longer-lived.

 

One of my girls was ever so friendly though, and I really loved that - some of the hybrids are renowned for it. Are any of the pure breeds friendly, do they follow you in the garden or like cuddles?

 

I'm trying to weigh up the potential added aggravation of the pure breeds being more likely to go broody too - anyone had direct comparison experience?

 

What to do, what to do?!

[Patricia W]

I think it's as much how you " train" them as breed. I've got 3 pure breed Poland bantam and although all are friendly, the really tame one came from a place where they had small children who used to walk around with a chicken under each arm. She runs to you and demands to be picked up!

[Egluntyne]

Don't forget that with pure breeds you are less likely to get eggs over winter. Why not go for a mix?

[The Dogmother]

My pure breeds are all different in personality, I wouldn't say that they are any more or less friendly than hybrids.

 

As Egluntine says, you'll get less eggs too.

[Budgies]

Thanks for your replies!

 

I get the feeling some of them respond to the "training" better than others! We always treated our two girls exactly the same, handling them regularly, feeding them treats and chatting to them.

 

Chutney would always want to be cuddled and to be with us, whereas Mango would only come to us if food was about! Right to the last, when we picked her up she'd scream "help, I'm being killed!" Having been handled daily for 3 years!

 

I'm not really worried about the egg aspect of things - neither of my girls laid over winter anyway this past year and poor little Mango constantly churning out eggs was what killed her in the end.

 

Because we're only getting three, it won't be much of a mix!

[feemcg]

All my pure breeds (except Ness, Silver-laced Dotte) are very friendly......in fact so friendly I am constantly tripping over some of them as they follow me around 'at heel'. Mine have been handled since hatch though.

[Omletina Kyckling]

My 3 pure breeds are very friendly, particularly the leghorns who are always under my feet (they are rather noisy and can fly quite high though, even with their wings clipped)- my welsummer is also friendly.

I think others are right, it depends on how you "train" them.

I'm with the others, go for a mix of hybrids and pure breeds if you can?

[Tulip]

My Buff Orp and the Barney will follow me around the garden. The Orp demanding food and the Barney just chattering away! The Sussex, as Head Girl is more interested in rifling through the gravel border....

 

They're not overly fond of cuddles but once you have hold of them properly, they behave.

 

Meant to say last night - sorry to hear about your girls. It must be really frustrating having to wait to refil the eglu!

 

N x

[Yolky]

If you want really friendly chooks it might be advisable to get them as young as poss rather than POL, this will mean they will be really used to being handled and more likely to be friendly.

[Henhathnofury]

I know what you mean, my Gingernut Ranger Desdemona will sometimes fall asleep in my arms. I have a mix, although my PB girls are relatively new. The Light Sussex is a bit skittish but I am gradually training her but the Speckled Sussex is in danger of turning into a teddy bear. A grumpy one...she makes a funny growling noise all the time....but she is thawing....

[RubyMurray]

Hi there

 

I must admit my friendliest are hybrids although the Araucanas are friendly when they want to be. My Cream Crested Legbars are so flyty, no way on earth I can stroke them!!!! although they do lay beautiful blue eggs through the winter

 

All nice at the end of the day!!!

 

Dyan x

[craftyhunnypie]

Marlene - our gold laced wyandotte is very friendly. She even lets us take 5 eggs from under her no problem! Our Araucana is also very friendly & of course our pekins.

We have a gold legbar too, that although a little nervous, she is a lovely friendly little thing.

I do believe buff orpingtons are very docile & so are silkies.

 

We have 3 black rocks in our flocks & they are very very friendly!!!!

 

Emma.x