Little Chicken Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Hi Folks, My friend and I are going to keep our chickens at her place, because she’s a farmer’s wife, while I go away a lot. I forget how many she says her hen coop will hold, but I think it’s about six. So we are trying to choose a breed. Firstly, are there lots of ex-battery hens waiting to be adopted and in danger of becoming chicken soup if no-one wants them? Or is there a waiting list to adopt them? I think I’ll check the relevant website. Otherwise, asking which breed is a very good layer as well as being really attractive must be the oldest question of all since people stated to breed chickens for their looks as well as for food! I’m not really attracted to those light brown Rhode Island Red crosses that have whitish tails, although I’m sure they are good layers. I thought of the Speckledy, but have been told the Black Rock is hardier and a better layer. How do they compare, please, with the Cuckoo Maran (lovely brown eggs)? Finally, what about two breeds I think are really beautiful, the Vorwerk and the Blue Laced Wyandotte? Yesterday I found a website that says Wyandottes are very friendly, a bonus, because these chickens will also be pets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Hi Little Chicken and welcome Hybrid hens will lay their socks off for you but because egg production is high they don't lay for as many years. Purebreeds will give you eggs less regularly but will lay for longer so you may want to have a combination Wyandottes are supposed to be lovely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Hi I was a bit like you about the Rhode islands but the Gingernuts I got from omlet were a lot prettier than I expected with a fan like tail(I think they are crossed bred) I have a speckledy which is a nice looking chicken. The funniest one I have is a bluebelle a great big matron of a bird. They wyandottes are very pretty but not sure if such good layers. The fancier it is the more expensive to buy and the more pure bred the less eggs. At the top of this forum if you click on breeds it give a good summary of each breed. I saw some Maran eggs recently they are so chocolately looking even i fancy one of those now. Good luck a wide selection indie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeastar--x Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 Bluebells are gorgeous aswell as being hybrids which lay very well. i loved my bluebell, the perfect combo of looks and egg production! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meezers Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 Why not get a mixture of hybrids and purebreds ? A speckledy would give you brown eggs ( not so dark as a maran though ) I think the light sussex is attractive and mine is a good layer. Have a look at the omlet breed guide then see what's available near you , but you'll probably end up choosing something different on the day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FoxFighters Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 I think your best bet is Omlet! Holly x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 My speckledy is a consistent layer but her eggs are quite small (but she is only young) I though Black Rocks were very hardy, but I lost mine, it could be just my girl, but I've been put off Black Rocks as she was only a young girl. I am now planning to get some Blue/green layers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
