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

[Lizzie]

Hi

 

We currently have three ex batts who we love dearly

 

We would like to get some more chooks (another three) but were thinking about getting another breed (hybrid) rather than ex batts again. We have lost 5 since April and would just like to hopefully have a relatively stress free winter though I appreciate there is never a guarentee of this either with healthy hens.

We do plan to have ex batts again as it is so rewarding seeing them blossom.

 

What breeds could we get that would integrate with our current ex batts. Colour is irrelevant (though my husband would dearly like a speckaldy hen). We would like like them to be friendly - our current ex batts are Warren hybrids (we think)

 

Any advice gratefully received as always

 

Regards

Liz

[-sarahjayne]

I believe you are right, ex batts are definitely warrens/ISA browns

I have a warren, Rhonda and she is lovely

 

We have 3 other hybrid chooks that live with her, 2 black rocks which are really beautiful looking birds and lay lots of eggs, and a bluebelle who is very sweet natured and lays pretty pink eggs

They all get along fine and I would really recommend these breeds - it took about a week for them to become 'tame' and 3 weeks for them to start laying.

[Lizzie]

Many thanks for your advice

 

Regards

Liz

[chickenanne]

I know you asked re: hybrids, but pure breeds can be lovely and hassle free.

Rhode Island Red's are great, ours is inquisitive and tame, bold but not in any way "pecky". She has never been remotely broody (we've had her 2 years) Light Sussex are also a great breed, freindly and tame and placid: mine does occasionally go broody but not as determindely as hte Black Rock, which is wierd!

[Lizzie]

I was advised to get chickens of a similar colour as they would get on better - is that true ?

Would three be ok to keep in an eglu / extented run until I can integrate them into their permenant home with the other three ?

 

Many thanks

Regards

Liz

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I've never heard that advice . My 3 couldn't be more different in colour and they get on so well I can't even tell who is boss . Also, getting different coloured eggs is a bonus as then you can tell who laid what .

 

Three would certainly be fine in an extended run .

[chickenanne]

I was advised to get chickens of a similar colour as they would get on better - is that true ?

Would three be ok to keep in an eglu / extented run until I can integrate them into their permenant home with the other three ?

 

Many thanks

Regards

Liz

 

I think the similar colour thing is an old wives tale! safe to ignore it; mine are all different colour and no issues.

[ubereglu]

I was advised to get chickens of a similar colour as they would get on better - is that true ?

Would three be ok to keep in an eglu / extented run until I can integrate them into their permenant home with the other three ?

 

Many thanks

Regards

Liz

 

I think the similar colour thing is an old wives tale! safe to ignore it; mine are all different colour and no issues.

 

It's really the size issue. You'd want three chickens of a similar size, otherwise they may pick on the smallest ones.

[Lizzie]

Thanks everybody for the reassurance.

I will start my searching as would like to buy three in early September

 

Regards

Liz

[chick wiggle]

You mentioned a speckeldy, I have two and they are absolutely gorgeous and very friendly, always up for a cuddle and they lay lovely dark chocolate brown eggs