bronze Posted January 17, 2007 Share Posted January 17, 2007 Off to choose my chickens on saturday. The worst part is picking which ones. I would like two different colours that lay different colour eggs (this is for the children of course) Now the ones that I can remember that he definitely does are Cochins Marans Orpingtons def. buff and blue not sure about others Rhode Island reds Welsummers What do you think my best combination would be? (need two) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted January 17, 2007 Share Posted January 17, 2007 Oh, I love choosing new chickens Problem is that I fall in love with all of them, and then end up leaving with a variety that I never intended to get....... oh, and more than I initially intended . I'm no expert on breeds though, but I think that all those hens lay brown eggs, Marans tend to lay dark, glossy reddish bron eggs, Welsommers lay dark brown speckled eggs, and Cochins lay paler brown eggs (that is all according to my chicken encyclopedia ). Omlet gingernut rangers are a RIR cross, so I'd expect brown eggs from them as well. Orpingtons are big birds, but very handsome, and again they lay light brown eggs. For different egg colours you might want to look at Cream legbars and Araucanas for blue eggs, or some of the newer blue egg laying hybrids, the Jasmine and there's another one which I've forgotten now White eggs are from White Stars, but I'm not sure which other breeds off the top of my head. Hopefully someone else will be along later and give you some more ideas. Or ask the breeder on Saturday Happy hen hunting, and don't forget to come back and tell us what you choose, preferably with photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 17, 2007 Share Posted January 17, 2007 out of your choices I like the maran's and the welsummer. the maran's are very pretty. Im no expert on chicken breeds though - I just go for what looks pretty I like the look of the wyandottes myself....they are all too nice. Difficult decision Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted January 17, 2007 Share Posted January 17, 2007 My two favourite breeds there - Marans and Rhode Island Reds Lovely dark brown eggs and lots of chatter from Marans. Rhodeys are such a beautiful colour that really shines in the sun .... and lots of lovely tinted eggs. They get my vote Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted January 17, 2007 Author Share Posted January 17, 2007 Ok no1 (depending on what we see of course) will be a rhode island red. The husband wants one, funny how hes gone from years of convincing to choosing what my chickens should be Now for the contrast bird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 17, 2007 Share Posted January 17, 2007 For different egg colours you might want to look at Cream legbars and Araucanas for blue eggs, or some of the newer blue egg laying hybrids, the Jasmine and there's another one which I've forgotten now Heritage Skylines.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted January 17, 2007 Share Posted January 17, 2007 Not sure about the eggs, but the buff orpingtons are gorgeous. The lady I got Bella and Fizz from had a few (not for sale sadly). They were huge big friendly things - you could almost have used them as a pouffe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 18, 2007 Share Posted January 18, 2007 Orpingtons are lovely, not reliable layers and perhaps too big for an Eglu, but lovely natures and great broodies - ask Lesley I'd love a RIR and a marans, but they'd have to be bantams of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 18, 2007 Share Posted January 18, 2007 I've always thought that Silver Laced Wyandottes are very beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 18, 2007 Share Posted January 18, 2007 Me too, my Ruby is one and she's stunning - you can see her in my album link, and on this page of my blog http://claretblog.vox.com/library/post/well-ive-started-now.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 18, 2007 Share Posted January 18, 2007 I'd have to say........ just have one of everything but then...... look at my sig. We did just start with 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted January 18, 2007 Author Share Posted January 18, 2007 You lot are really no help I was beginning to veer towards a buff orpington as a good contrast but now you say theyre too big for an eglu. Even wwith only two in a mark ii? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myles Posted January 18, 2007 Share Posted January 18, 2007 Don't fool yourself, you'll never stick at TWO. Buff orpingtons are beautiful but very large, if i were you I'd go for a mix of feather and egg colour. Buy two on saturday, buy two more in two months. Then buy a second eglu in the summer Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted January 18, 2007 Share Posted January 18, 2007 Cochins are the loveliest birds and very long-lived (10+ years). but they are bred for meat, not eggs. So if you want a cuddly bird with fluffy feet who is too idle to run away and too fat to fly, Cochins are perfect. But if you want eggs, they are useless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted January 18, 2007 Author Share Posted January 18, 2007 Don't fool yourself, you'll never stick at TWO. Buff orpingtons are beautiful but very large, if i were you I'd go for a mix of feather and egg colour. Buy two on saturday, buy two more in two months. Then buy a second eglu in the summer Anne No money or space or ground give by husband to allow that to happen. Its taken me 3 years (since we moved here) to convince. Less than one of those knowing about the eglu. I have threatened him with one more max (one for each child) and he didn't say no Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
