Laburnum Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 Hello all! Just before Easter we took posession of an Eglu and I had a fun Easter constructing it. It looks good and all fit together as it said (a rare event given my DIY capability) and I was just about to retire with a beer to sit in the sun feeling smug (and to dream about a lifetime of free eggs...) when it was pointed out that there was a problem with my hard work...namely, no occupants of the Eglu...! We live outside the Eglu delivery zone and I have been googling breeders etc in the area...only to find that my area of Dorset appears to have limited providers. I have contacted two thus far and have been told that they only have Lohman Browns or a small range of other breeds. Orginally we were happy to be guided by Eglu and were looking at getting 3 Gingernut Rangers (aka Meadowsweet Rangers, I believe) on the basis that we wanted friendly, hardy ladies who laid well...does anyone know if the Lohman Browns have the same traits...or if not, which breeds are the nearest equivallent as I am clearly not an 'eggspurt' in this area (sorry...I know I don't deserve an answer after that feeble pun....) Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 Welcome to the forum, Andy . All eggy puns allowed here . I researched in detail the breeds I wanted but in the end I just had to go with what my local breeder had . I would ring round and see what yours have in stock then come back here for opinions of them. To be honest, any breed you end up getting will be fine - they all have such different personalities that the breed doesn't really matter . You may want different coloured eggs though (a good way to identify who's laying what) in which case breed combinations do matter! Edit: Just spotted this thread which might be of interest to you . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figarogir1 Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 If you look in the library on this site (in the list down the side where it says forum etc) the top pdf is a guide to buying chickens and lists different breeds etc. I found this helpful the only problem is that I did loads of research and chose which breeds I wanted based on egg production, hardyness etc. and then when I got to the breaders I just came home with the cutest ones! Good luck and enjoy your new hobby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 I am seeing double again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figarogir1 Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 It was the right size for the avatar and the IT boys I live with were out. Anyway I like it, can we share Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 Lohman Browns, warrens, isa browns and one or two other are all basically the same standard brown hen like the gingernut and Meadowsweet Rangers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laburnum Posted April 12, 2010 Author Share Posted April 12, 2010 Folks Many, many thanks for the speedy responses... 'Ain't "Ooops, word censored!"ody here'...yes, I had looked at this thread, but still was confused...but the different coloured egg aspect was one thing I hadn't considered...and certainly worth a ponder... 'sjp'...thanks, that helps to clarify things....and 'figarogir1'...this sounds like my world...and the same as when we bought our last car...I did all the legwork identifying mpg, insurance, safety, wear and tear and the best car / price for the job...and when we went looking for the car which I had identified, my wife decided on a completely different car because she liked the shape and colour!...I assume the same here...I've done the legwork...but if the hens hang around, look cute and pretty we'll most probably get those!!! Thanks again for your guidance folks.... Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 Just to give you an idea of a few of the colours you can get . You can also get speckled, white, dark brown and blue eggs . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 I have two Gingernuts. For the first time buyer i thoroughly recommend the hybrid hen, these birds lay about 300 eggs a year and are so friendly, (they are so nosey!). Ideal for families with children, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 I'm very jelous of them green eggs.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 I have 2 golden type hybrids (not sure where their breeding originates) and one lays very light brown eggs and the other smaller darker brown with speckles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
