Kenno Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 Helloooo, I need some advice about which chickens to get... If you've seen my other post, you'll know that I've just got an eglu and am nearly ready to go, but, I can't decide which chickens I'd like to get. Ideally I want 3 (to live in my Eglu Classic with extension), and I'd really like green/blue eggs (Cream Legbar?), and dark brown eggs (Barnevalder? or prob a few other choices there?) and maybe even white eggs (No idea!). But, is it wise to get 3 different breeds, or is it best to stick to just one breed? Are there certain breeds that mix better than others? And, I've read a couple of posts today that mention some chickens only laying for 2-3 years but living for about 9, which given that I can only house 3 birds at a time doesn't sound great (is that a bit mercenary?!). Also, to keep my wife happy, I need to make sure they're friendly and look as cute as possible! The Omlet Breeds page mentions that the Cream Legbar, and the Barnevelder aren't the friendliest of chickens, but not sure how much difference their star ratings make - are they still reasonably friendly or more likely to keep away from us? Finally (for now!), I'm starting to worry about how chicken proof I can make my garden for any escapologists! The fence on one side is probably only about 4 - 5ft, and there are steps etc. near the higher wall on the other side which coulc become a launch pad for them, so I was wondering if this is likely to be a problem with all breeds, or if there are some less likely to fly/jump/hop up so high? Sorry for all the questions! Want to make sure I make the right choice to start off with so I'm hoping to benefit from all your experience! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 The main choice you need to make is wether to go for hybrids, pure breeds or a mix of both. Hybrids will lay lots of eggs most of the time for a couple of years and the go into retirement and pure breeds will lay fewer eggs, taking a break over the winter months but lay for a few more years. 3 is a good number, then incase one died/was ill, you wouldn't be left with one hen on her own in the eglu You can get the different coloured eggs from different breeds, both hybrind and pure ... the Columbine is a gree/blue laying hybrid, and Black rocks (Omlet's Miss Pepperpot ) will lay brown eggs. White stars are white egg laying hybrids. Most breeds will live happily together so you can mix them Pure breeds tend to be prettier, CL's can be flighty, but as long as you get them used to you and give them loads of treats they should all settle down and be friendly. You'll also have to find a supplier and then maybe choose breeds from there so you don't set your mind on getting certain breeds and then not being able to get them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 rusty my Cream Legbar is friendly lays a really nice sky blue egg columbines have only an 80% chance of a blue or green egg mine is one of the 20% but I'd still recommend them you can have a mixed flock you just have to be carefull mixing large fowl with bantams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 As has been said, you can mix breeds, but it is easier to get them all on the same day - this makes introductions easier. I would recommend a Barnevelder Lovely hens and dark brown eggs, if you get a good breeder. They have been bred more and more for their feathering, so the egg colour has dropped a little. I was lucky My light sussex lays an almost white egg. Clipping one wing feather should stop them jumping too high. Getting a heavy breed also makes escaping less likely, in theory Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beulah59 Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 (edited) Light Sussex are very friendly and so pretty Edited January 2, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-sarahjayne Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 For breeds I would go for a mix of hybrid & pure breed as you are then garunteed to get plenty of eggs over a long time. I have 2 black rocks and Esmee is really lovely, lays an egg every day, gets along with everyone else, she's really pretty, and is so friendly she jumps onto my lap for a cuddle. She's my favourite My other Black Rock lays enormous eggs but is less friendly. Black rocks are beautiful and the colours range from a black hen with petrol coloured sheen, to shot through with gold from head to tail. Both are beautiful (I have both!) They are also very hardy. I also have an ISA Brown and a bluebelle. I would recommend a ISA Brown as they are the original hybrid and lay loads of eggs, and they are huge brown ones. They are the standard little ginger hen. I wouldn't however recommend a bluebelle, although she is pretty she lays very tiny pink eggs. The darker black rock The lighter one ISA Brown (otherwise known as Warren or Isa Warren) And these are the eggs from both the black rock's and ISA browns I would personally love the choice of blue eggs and cream legbars are beautiful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 Another thing to think about is not to get 2 of one breed and one of another. The lady where I bought mine said that they will pair off and leave the odd one. If you have 4 then 2 of one and 2 of another, but 3 is best to have all different. My maran is laying dark brown and speckled eggs at the moment. All the other girls are creamy coloured (I can tell them apart by the shapes of the egg). Of course I would always want a blue egg, but that will have to wait till we move. The brown eggs have got darker, but they do vary. That would be Tipsy's then Squirt's (although hers are huge now) and Apache Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meezers Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 I have a mix of breeds ,both hybrids and purebreds. Out of my original 4 hybrids I have 3 left and only one of those still laying- the Speckledy. BUT she is laying now while the others have their winter break. You could get a Speckledy for brown eggs most of the year, something like a leghorn or dorking for a white egg ( though my dorking isn't laying yet - a leghorn may give you eggs sooner ? ) and stick with the cream legbar for blue eggs. Mine is flighty compared to the others, but hasn't attempted to leave the garden ( we have a couple of low spots on the fences ) and she's friendly enough when she's laying. My Australorp lays a brown egg and is supposed to lay through the winter- but she hasn't read the manual my Welsummer also lays a brown egg, but is the least friendly of the chooks. My light sussex is a reliable layer ( again, having a break at the moment, her eggs are creamy beige. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 Just another thought - don't choose huge birds like I did at first - when you pick them up the flapping (they can whack you really hard) and scrabbling feet can be a bit daunting for someone not used to handling birds. The more you handle them the easier it gets. I thought our Sussex was easy peasy in comparison (although large, is smaller than the orpies), and since adding the Eggy Babes - what a dream to pick up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 No- one seems to have mentioned bantams as another choice. You can get bantam versions of many of the larger breeds, and/or true bantams - this is where there is no large fowl version. They tend to be pretty, easy to handle, don't trash the garden ( so much!) and some breeds can be prolific layers of small but delicious eggs. Three or four also fit well in the eglu run with an extension if you can't free range much. I have Poland bantams and they lay lots of eggs for about 9 months of the year. Pekins are very popular too, especially if you have children. Half the fun of getting started is choosing hens so take your time! Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenno Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 Wow! Thanks peeps! I want one of every chicken now! I suppose it will have to come down mainly to what they've got in at the breeders. I think the only place anywhere near me (on the Wirral) is a place in Frodsham. I'll have to give them a call. I'll definitely try to get 3 different breeds all at the same time whatever happens, and I'll look into Bantams too. I originally didn't think they'd be any good for eggs, but that's probably not the case! Decisions decisions decisions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 I'm trying to decide on another 2 chickens and it's a difficult choice. I did have an Amber Star and she was lovely, so another one is on the list - really friendly and lots of big eggs. Think a Bluebell is likely too, but if I can't decide on the day, I might well end up with another 3 (walk in run soon to be constructed!) If mine are normal, they really can't be bothered to escape! When they were young, I did clip their wings which worked well to stop them jumping the 4.5ft fence. Once they were fully grown and laying, they really calmed down and seem happy just scratching about at ground level. They could escape if they really wanted to though. I would just watch them carefully to start with, with a plan B in mind for any likely escape routes. Just thinking that it would be a shame to spend loads of money turning the garden into a fortress if they don't try and escape anyway The only other thing to consider is the size of the breed you choose - I think the Eglu is only suitable for light - medium size chickens. Some of the pure breeds are quite big and wouldn't be suitable. Sorry to add another consideration! I also like 1 of each colour, so that I can do a quick head count from the kitchen window! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pikey Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 Try the attached for suppliers near you... http://www.poultry.allotment.org.uk/poultry-suppliers/live-poultry-egg-supplier-north-west.php My gingernut ranger is the best for eggs.......she has laid one a day ever since she started laying. My Batam girls have just started laying....but eggs are smaller. The light sussex and frizzles are next on my list....just need a bigger garden!! Have fun choosing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilipCaldwell Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 I would recommend warrens, friendly and good layers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 (edited) Finally (for now!), I'm starting to worry about how chicken proof I can make my garden for any escapologists! Just a thought, but it's just as important to keep foxes etc OUT as it is to keep your girls in Did you buy the Omlet run? If you're thinking of a walk in run (WIR), it's important to get one with tough mesh! And if you free range, I'd say make sure you're there to supervise - there have been a lot of fox attacks reported on here lately, even during the day, as foxes become increasingly desperate for food in this freezing weather and become opportunists Back to chook choosing I loved picking mine out! I wanted different colours and different coloured eggs so have a Black Rock, Light Sussex hybrid (white), and we also had a Columbian Blacktail (who sadly died - and she was SUCH a sweetie, the first to become friendly and follow me around just to be with me, rather than for food ). IIRC, some cross-breeds go under different names eg Goldline/Ranger/ISA Brown/Warren for light brown eggs, Columbine/Skyline/Jasmine for blue/green eggs. Miss Pepperpots are the same hybrid mix as Black Stars, Black Rocks and Bovan Nera but Black Rocks ONLY come from the Muirfield Hatchery in Scotland (and are hard to get hold of now, owing to a change of ownership apparently). Some breeds are friendlier than others and easier for first-time chicken keepers, some are skittish, some love to free range (so might pace up and down if shut in a run), some are natural gardeners (our black rock helped us dig the footings for our decking ), some are "big boned" and greedy, some have super-thick plumage and some really soft, some are tough as old boots and can take our horrendous weather! Take your time investigating and researching. Mr Frutti says I'm allowed to have 2 more chooks in the Spring So on my wishlist I currently have: Columbine (green/blue egg) White Star (white egg) Speckledy (dark brown egg) Pied Suffolk (brown egg) Sussex Reverse (the negative of my Light Sussex!) Bluebelle Oh dear! ETA, have you seen this? I'm often found drooling over this page http://www.omlet.co.uk/breeds/breeds.php?breed_type=Chickens Also, I fell in love with Frizzles but decided against getting anything too feathery (some breeds have feathery legs!) as I was worried about how to keep them clean. Wish I'd thought of that when I bought my WHITE (now creamy brown) Light Sussex hybrid Edited January 2, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 I have a mix of hybrids and pure breeds. My CLB was very flighty to start but is now one of my most affectionate girls. My website below has pictures of the girls with egg pics which may help your wife Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 I had two goldlines , but sadly lost one to the fox...I now have one goldline and one Light Sussex.... The Light Sussex is a very pretty very friendly hen, and I would definitely recommend the breed,...but they are quite large and so if you only have an eglu I would only keep one of these. The Goldline is also very friendly, very cheeky and very easy to handle.. she would sell her grandma for a grape...and a little smaller, she lays an egg almost every day I had two bantams before...(I didn't realise this until I got my bigger girls as they were the first chickens I'd ever had and they were given as a present) ...they were much flightier and kept going broody...(but I still loved them to bits).....but I have to say I wouldn't recommend them as a starter hen Whatever you choose they will weedle their way into your life and it won't be the same again!!! Oh and do take note of the advice on the fox....I lost my first two girls to a fox (cos the eglu wasn't closed up properly at night) and my other goldline to a fox who came into our fully enclosed foxwatch protected garden ( having crossed at least two other gardens) at 2.30pm...My girls never free-range unsupervised now...and no it wasn't an urban fox as such..we are semi rural and live near a nature reserve... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenno Posted January 3, 2010 Author Share Posted January 3, 2010 Thanks all! I think I ideally want a Cream Legbar and a Light Sussex, but can't decide on the third one! Maybe a Whitestar, or a Black Rock, or Barnevelder or a gingernut ranger, or a Warren, or more likely the first one that looks at me when I go to see them! I'm definitely going to be careful of foxes. I've never seen any during the daytime round here, but the other night something had been at the bins, so they're obviously about somewhere. I've got the eglu, and a converter thing on order, and they'll be allowed to play out whenever somebody's around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 With the standard run plus converter, 3 is ideal. And you are wise to only let them free range is you are around. Your best bets is to find a breeder and see what they have. I set my heart on a Barnevelder and it took me ages to find one. Have a look and you might see a hen breed you hadn't considered All the best! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 I took ages reading through posts and books (Choosing and keeping chickens by Chris Graham is good). The problem when you set your mind on a breed, colour etc is finding it near you. Really make a short list of those that suit your conditions then look for places that are recommended and see what they have at the right age. I decided on a welsummer and wyandotte but came home with a welbar and crossbreed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 I echo what Christian says about finding out what's available locally then asking on this forum about the breed characteristics to help you choose. I have eglu + std run + converter with 4 hybrid chickens who live there happily and free range most days. My hybrids were a great choice for my personal introduction into the chicken keeping world, however since getting them in April 2007, two have now retired completely from laying and 1 lays sporadically. So really only getting 1 egg a day now from 4 hybrids. If I did it all over again, I would possibly consider pure breeds for potential longer laying life albeit not year round production. But then my hybrids are lovely and were knocking out an egg every day for the first 2 years........ Difficult decision. Have fun choosing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenno Posted January 6, 2010 Author Share Posted January 6, 2010 Hmmm, it looks like I won't be able to get any Cream Legbar's for 6 months. Can possibly get a Jasmine if I wait til the end of February, but I doubt I can wait that long either! So, realistically the options I've got are on this link... http://victoriaspoultry.co.uk/page_1747751.html I'm thinking maybe a Warren, a Silver Sussex (or light Sussex bantam), and a Buff Orpington. Any thoughts?! Can you mix bantams and large breeds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 I'm not far from you in North Wales. I got my girls from a lady in Burton just outside Chester. if you want I can PM you her number. She also advertises on Preloved. she had lots of different breeds and was really helpful giving advice when and after I got the girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Can you mix bantams and large breeds? Havent offered any advice yet as all advice given I have just agreed with anyway. But. this last bit I can I have 11 LF and in october i got 5 bantams. They have been kept in the same WIR but with a divider between them all the time. They only started mixing (by mistake i might add!) on new year day. So thats quite a long introduction, and the big girls still keep the bantams 'in their place' So, the long and the short is - yes, eventually, with care Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Can you mix bantams and large breeds? I have 11 LF and in october i got 5 bantams. They have been kept in the same WIR but with a divider between them all the time. They only started mixing (by mistake i might add!) on new year day. So thats quite a long introduction, and the big girls still keep the bantams 'in their place' So, the long and the short is - yes, eventually, with care Ditto with 2 and 3 (well the one is a young LF living with the bantams so I class her as bantam for now ). They FR together and will live in the same WIR once its built (being delivered tomorrow). The bantams can hold their own and if you get them on the same day from the same breeder they're all new to the so should be ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
