andyjanec Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 Hi all, new here. I will be getting hens for the first time in June/July (really excited)! Have been doing a bit of research about which breeds to get but would appreciate some advice from those that are in the know. We have small children and would like at least a couple of decent egg layers. Will be getting 3 or 4 to start with, and I love the look of the Orpington but understand that these aren't very good layers. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 Hi. I reccomend getting Pekin Bantams, or hybrids. Pekins make very good pets and are very friendly, but they lay small eggs, gingernut ranger hybrids are very good layers and quite friendly, i find that the pekins are definatly friendlier.. also you could get some ex batt hens which can be good layers, and you will give them a secand chance in life. BUt whatever you decide to choose, Good luck on your lil guys. Mollie333. Three Pekin Hens, Ethel,Dierdre,Blanche Two Pekin x Silkie Hens, John & Edward Two Hybrid Hens, Betty & Rita Two Female Rabbits, Abbie & Lucy One Black Turkey Hen, Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 Pekins and Wyandotte bantams are both nice, docile and friendly Any pure breed will only lay reliably through spring, summer (when not broody) and most of autumn before slowing or stopping for the winter Welsummer, Sussex and Marans (large or bantam) will be quite reliable layers Polands and Faverolles seem to be good-ish winter layers but Polands have certain care needs Hybrids will lay all year round for a couple of years slowing a bit in the second or third winter, they dont live as long though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyjanec Posted March 17, 2010 Author Share Posted March 17, 2010 Thanks, I had a sussex on my list. A friend of mine has 3 Pekin bantams and they are really poor layers (but maybe that's just hers)! Really stupid question, but how long do they live (purebreed and hybrid)? Also liked the look of Rhode Island Reds, but these might be too big for our needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 Hybrids can live p to 4 years or so if you are lucky Pure breeds maybe 7 years or so You can get Rhode Island Red and Sussex bantams they still lay an ok size egg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 Ohhhh another Cambs to be chook owner! **waves** All good advice above - although I seem to have had problems deciding which breeds to choose so have one or two of most of the breeds mentioned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 a wave from me too there seems to be a lot of us Cambridgeshire people lately.. woohoo we're taking over! I have a Black Rock (gorgeous tame loving girl, my favourite, HYBRID) 2 orpingtons very large girls 1 skyline 1 bluebelle and out of all those I would say the orpies and the black rock are the most cuddly but the orps being very large might be hard for youngsters to pick up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joza2210 Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 I Would say pekins They are really friendly and are ok egg layers (I get 5 a week off mine) It is quite a small egg though Also if you wanted to be a bit more exotic You could go for frizzle pekin (They are just amazing) Good Look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 Why not go for a mix? Rhode Island Red bantams are lovely, friendly and fantastic layers. I am getting 10-12 a week from 2 hens. Pekins are very friendly and easy to handle but aren't the best of layers and do go broody in the summer which can be a pain. Wyandotte bantams are a mix between the previous two! Stunning colours, friendly, broody, quite a few eggs & easy to handle. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Verity F Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 I'm a Pekin girl, through and through! They're super-friendly, easy to handle and always up to something. Although my three are probably total freaks of nature - they've been laying their feathery socks off since they first started in December! I'm giving away 6-12 eggs a week because we just can't get through them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 I've met Verity's girls. They are delightful. I have three Pekins of my own, and they are real characters. Always busy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyjanec Posted March 18, 2010 Author Share Posted March 18, 2010 Thanks all for your advice. Looking forward to joining your ranks soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 I love pekins too. I've got 11 in various colours and they are real little characters. P.S. Yes, I may have acquired 6 more during the past 6 days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CluckyBucks Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 I have a Sussex and shes lovely i also have two silkies and their just plain daft Good luck! xx xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
