rarara Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 Ok so i'm edging closer to my goal But I don't know what type of chickens to get. I'll try to give you a bit of info. They'll definately be pet chickens with eggs as a bonus as we don't eat that many eggs (so prolific layers are not needed). So I'm thinking pure breeds? What do you think? I'd love to have more that one type and would love different coloured eggs. They have to be child friendly (or should I say more docile breeds). Maybe kinder to the garden (feathered foot?) I'm think four, possibly five of them if they are LF/HF. But then there is the question if we should have bantams??! I know ultimately it's my decision but pleeeease help me I was thinking araucana (is that how you spell it) possibly sultans and or silkies as i get the different coloured eggs and the docile birds. Think i'll be saving for a while Help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 I got the book 'Choosing and keeping chicken' which describes the breeds well, colours, weight and temperament etc., In the end I think it is down to the strain what their character is like. My mind was made up by what was available locally in the end. I decided on breed and couldn't find them at right age and didn't want to get from auction because of the chance of disease, cockeral or not being true to breed with nature. Why don't you go to a show and have a look. Stoneleigh is coming up in a few weeks. There are a few of us going and I'd love to choose them for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 I would strongly recommend both Cream Legbars (Blue eggs) and Silkies (cream eggs) as being child friendly and more garden friendly. I have god children who are 18 months and 2 1/2 and Leela my Cream Legbar is fabulous with them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joza2210 Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 Maybe pekin ( white ish eggs ) and a Araucana ( blue egg ) Good look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rarara Posted November 8, 2009 Author Share Posted November 8, 2009 I got the book 'Choosing and keeping chicken' which describes the breeds well, colours, weight and temperament etc., In the end I think it is down to the strain what their character is like. My mind was made up by what was available locally in the end. I decided on breed and couldn't find them at right age and didn't want to get from auction because of the chance of disease, cockeral or not being true to breed with nature. Why don't you go to a show and have a look. Stoneleigh is coming up in a few weeks. There are a few of us going and I'd love to choose them for you Might have to have a look at that book I'd love to have some 'professional' input Although I don't think i'll be there Must have a look. I would strongly recommend both (Blue eggs) and Silkies (cream eggs) as being child friendly and more garden friendly. I have god children who are 18 months and 2 1/2 and Leela my Cream Legbar is fabulous with them Oooh I thought cream legbars were flighty. Off to research Thanks Joza Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 I'vev got cross breeds. I've got two Silkie crosses one with featherec feet wholays a blue egg and a Silkie cross who lays a white egg. My freindliest girl is a sussex cross who lays me a dark brown egg everyday. I spent nearly an hour choosing my girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 (edited) I got the book 'Choosing and keeping chicken' which describes the breeds well, colours, weight and temperament etc., In the end I think it is down to the strain what their character is like. My mind was made up by what was available locally in the end. I decided on breed and couldn't find them at right age and didn't want to get from auction because of the chance of disease, cockeral or not being true to breed with nature. Why don't you go to a show and have a look. Stoneleigh is coming up in a few weeks. There are a few of us going and I'd love to choose them for you Might have to have a look at that book I'd love to have some 'professional' input Although I don't think i'll be there Must have a look. I would strongly recommend both (Blue eggs) and Silkies (cream eggs) as being child friendly and more garden friendly. I have god children who are 18 months and 2 1/2 and Leela my Cream Legbar is fabulous with them Oooh I thought cream legbars were flighty. Off to research rusty's a flier she cleared the hand rail on the decking friday afternoon thats about 4 foot of the ground but she's not manic like roadrunner my gold legbar. she's Certainly gentle even when there’s a feeding frenzy she rarely pecks the hand that feeds her Thanks Joza Edited November 8, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 My CLB was flighty before she came into lay, but once she started laying all her flightiness stopped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesAyres Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 One breed i can recomend is a Brahma. Had mine for about a month now, and she is the most entertaining and most friendly chicken i have. She's really pretty too with her feathery feet. Havent had an egg out of her yet, but she should lay a brown egg, unless she is something really special. Cant recomend them enough ! Great breed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...