Smiler33 Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 Hi, real newbie here! We're getting a on Sunday and are planning to get 3 chickens. We are real novices and have 2 children, aged 7 and 3 and a rather feisty Jack Russell (who we'll be keeping separate - don't worry!) We want eggs obviously but really want the chickens as pets that we can pick up and stroke etc - what breeds would you recommend that are bombproof!? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 Amber star's are a docile bird (white bird with brown on, although some are almost all white) Black rocks (black with greeny petrolly sheen to feathers and some brown) (mines mostly black) Goldlines (brown bird, lays lots of eggs ) very friendly chickens are ALL lovely however some are more flightly than others ie white star or white leghorn lays lovely white eggs but very flighty so maybe not good around little ones.. You could consider bantams you know, you could have a few more than 3 and they are smaller for the children to pick up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler33 Posted February 17, 2010 Author Share Posted February 17, 2010 Thanks again CookieMonster! My daughter and I are going to just go and look at some this afternoon - poor husband busy at work and there's us having fun at home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 There is a fab lady in East Bristol: http://www.anniehallspoultry.co.uk/ Really nice lady supplying nice stock and she will offer you some good honest advice, I think Tom123 may have had chooks from there, he is obsessed with chooks and the forum so will no doubt be along soon to tell you all about it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 (edited) Helllooo!! *waves* I'm in South Glos too! Whereabouts are you? Will PM you about a few suppliers If I was you I would got for a couple of hybrids and maybe a Pure breed like Sussex or Orpington as these are super friendly and very cuddly Tom Edited February 17, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 I was going to suggest at least one pure bred, maybe a sussex or a bantam Orpington, very lovely pets, and a bit longer lived than the hybrids even if they do have an egg break in the winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler33 Posted February 17, 2010 Author Share Posted February 17, 2010 Thanks everyone, lots to think about here! Tom's suggested bantams to me in his PM along with a bigger one too, so will consider that. I loved the markings of the Bluebell at Annie's place in Siston but they also do them just up the road from here £5 cheaper!! Also we liked the Amber Star and, of course the good old brown hen. So many chooks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 well I have a bluebelle and the reason I never mentioned them is I have found her skitty, doesn't like to be held, but others may have bluebelles that are different.. They are a beautifull looking bird though. The Amber is mentioned all the web as being a family friendly bird so you wont go wrong with those a good old brown chook is not one I have... not sure how that happened. but they are very friendly. I have orps and the reason I never mentioned those were the fact that they are huge and therefore would be hard for the children to hold, bantee orps however may be different so many choices, and you are not likely to stick with 3 chooks anyway, you'll add more eventually... trust me.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler33 Posted February 17, 2010 Author Share Posted February 17, 2010 Yes, I'm sure we will end up with more than 3 - hence the reason why we got instead of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 a wise decision I started with a then sold it to buy my then bought another because I missed it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 Price isnt everything so take in to account where they are coming from, a bad buy can instantly result in a vets bill of £20+ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler33 Posted February 17, 2010 Author Share Posted February 17, 2010 Yes, I know we need to be careful - what is it they say, buy in haste repent in leisure or something like that? This Annie was very knowledgeable and didn't mind all the daft questions I was asking at all! The chickens all looked very happy and on Friday afternoon they're having another 100 being delivered - they're all out in a field just pecking around! Feeling really guilty as having chicken curry for tea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 Oh I remember those feelings. I couldn't eat chicken for the 1st 3 months after I got girls. I can eat it now, if I know it is "happy chicken" and had a good life before it met it's maker, but I don't eat it when I am out, and the word "KFC" is banned in my house . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 Oh I remember those feelings. I couldn't eat chicken for the 1st 3 months after I got girls. I can eat it now, if I know it is "happy chicken" and had a good life before it met it's maker, but I don't eat it when I am out, and the word "KFC" is banned in my house . I do exactly the same They hate me in work with buffets, as I categorically refuse to eat anything with eggs or chicken as I can't guarantee the provenance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 Ambers, Blackrocks & any form of Gingers are all friendly birds. I'm a black rock lover myself, as they are hardy birds, that don't seem to wear themselves out with egg laying. They still lay excellent - but tend to have a small Winter break. Mine are getting on for 3 years of age. I've not had a Ginger live longer than about 15 months - they just lay & lay until they are worn out - poor loves. My Ambers are 2 years now & they are also very good. If going for bantams - go for Pekins. Such characters! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 Oh I remember those feelings. I couldn't eat chicken for the 1st 3 months after I got girls. I can eat it now, if I know it is "happy chicken" and had a good life before it met it's maker, but I don't eat it when I am out, and the word "KFC" is banned in my house . I do exactly the same They hate me in work with buffets, as I categorically refuse to eat anything with eggs or chicken as I can't guarantee the provenance i do that too, I ask to see the boxes, and say in a really load voice, SORRY CAN'T EAT THIS IT'S NOT FREE RANGE! They really hate it when I do that , but they have started brining in M&S goodies that are made with free range eggs, or making their own with the eggs I have supplied them, so nagging does work . Oooooooo and yes Pekins are adorable, easy for little hands, and available in lavender, which is almost pink, if you have any little girls . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler33 Posted February 17, 2010 Author Share Posted February 17, 2010 Great excitement here as getting the Cube tomorrow, not Sunday so will get the chooks on Friday I think definitely an Amber Star, a brown hen and something else (or 2? ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 columbines if mine is anything to go by are friendly will do anything for treats mine was the first to learn what the treat tub was for and were it is kept she does have a nasty habit of getting under my feet and you've got an 80% chance of a blue or green egg cream legbar if you whant a pure breed that lays a blue egg agaim mine is friendly and it tame but does like to be picked up but is more than happy to climb all over me when the treat tub is about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 Great excitement here as getting the Cube tomorrow, not Sunday so will get the chooks on Friday I think definitely an Amber Star, a brown hen and something else (or 2? ) If you are getting a cube and not an eglu you will definitely end up with loads more chooks before next winter. I was very glad I had 15 in mine in the coldest days of this past winter, and it's a great excuse to expand your chook collection . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mincepies Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 I find my ISA browns (your standard brown hen) have been much more docile and friendly right from the start compared with my light sussex and maran. The brown hens are very easy to handle and love hanging round with people; they jump onto our knees and arms if we have food. The two pure breeds are much more timid. I have heard that pekins and silkies make excellent pets for children though as they are supposed to be very tame and friendly, plus their smaller siize means they are suited to little people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 Ex batts, ex batts, exbatts, ex batts, ex batts. Why not give ex batts a chance. They will reward you with lots of eggs & are feisty, lively, positive characters. They will follow you around the garden & are pretty robust. They were our first hens & we loved them to bits. Good fun to have. You will have the reward of giving them their chickenhood Go on go for ex batts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler33 Posted February 18, 2010 Author Share Posted February 18, 2010 Thanks Sparkysmum, I've been on the website for the ex batts and got loads of information to read through! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 That's brilliant Smiler, I'll do all that I can to persuade you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler33 Posted February 19, 2010 Author Share Posted February 19, 2010 Hmmm, bad news Sparkysmum - DH not at all keen on ex batts, he wants the young 'uns that'll keep laying for longer. However, I fully intend to work on him and maybe later in the year ...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
