Bettiboo Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 I now feel like I'm doing too much research trying to find the best breed to fit into our family. Can you post your recommendations for breeds. We would like friendly, hardy, not inclined to broodiness, good egg layers. Am I looking for the impossible? Thanks so much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie-Annie Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 Warrens, I love them all my ex-batts were Warrens. Friendly, inquisitive, good layers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 Sounds like most hybrids would fit the bill. I have hybrids and I'm soon to add a couple of cream legbars and a cuckoo maran - I don't think they tend to go broody. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 I had a friend that had a Cuckoo Maran that was a broody nightmare but as a rule they are not. Also my Cream Legbar has never been broody *Debs touches wood* In answer to the original questions, it sounds like hybrids would be the best way forward for you, however, you could get a mix of breeds eg. Warren - brown eggs and cheeky; White Star - white egg and a bit crazy; Speckledy - Dark Speckled eggs; Columbines - inquisitive and 80% chance of blue/green eggs. Not that I am biased though, as I have all those hybrids along with several pure breeds too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickyhazel Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 Most hybrids would be good for you. Do you have a colour preference? There are warrens, your typical brown hens, amber stars, which are white and brown, bluebelles, which are grey, speckledys, which are speckled brown, copper marans (which are maran hybrids)which are black but have some green tinged feathers and copper necks (and are beautiful), etc, etc. We have 7 warrens, 1 blebelle, 1 amber star and 1 copper maran, which are all lovely. The amber star is the smallest and flightiest, and the bluebelle is the biggest and the top hen. The copper maran is the best looking, I think, and the warrens are all gorgeous too. It's up to you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murphyladywood Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 I've just set up my cube and have ordered 3 pol hens to pick up next Tuesday. Can't wait! The chicks that are coming are highlines. Can anyone tell me anything about them? I google imaged them and they seem to be white chickens but that's all I can see about them. The breeder comes highly recommended so I trust their judgement and sale. Jules Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 I think Hylines are standard brown hens but I could be wrong Personally I prefer pure breed hens, they dont lay much if anything over winter but they lay for more years and live longer as well as seeming to suffer from fewer laying related problems My choice are Wyandottes, I love them, they arent as broody as others Breeds that are least likely to go broody are the breeds classed as 'light' - Minorca, Welsummer, Cream Legbar, Araucana, Leghorns are all light breeds - see here: http://www.poultryclub.org/Sflight.htm The Silkie is the exception, its a light breed with a really broody urge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
