tracyann Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Hi all, my name is Tracy and I'm new to the forum. I always had chickens as a child, we were brought up always having chickens around, ducks and a chinese goose (who was a gander) called Scruffy who lived to the ripe old age of 26. We haven't had any chickens for the past 20 years (at least). I'm now growing my own veg and want to get four chickens. I'm looking at getting some hybrid hens and have been looking at the Comet variety. Can anyone shed any light on these as to what cross they are. I'm guessing poultry keeping has moved on slightly from when I last owned chickens and would like to make some "chicken" friends on here. I'm based in Stapleford Abbotts near Romford, Essex. I'm 39, am a full time carer for my parents - I gave up a full time job as a medical secretary and now run a business from home but gardening is a new found hobby for me, started with the flower garden 2 years ago, last year had a successful veg patch in raised beds and now I want chickens. I plan on having an outside run for them in the daytime and an inside run in our garage (which isn't used for cars and stands empty) at night as we have a few foxes and its the only way to keep the girls safe at night. I hope to hear from you soon. Tracy xxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Hi Tracyann, welcome to the forum. My parents had chickens too but I'm new to having my own. I've learnt so much thanks to this forum. What chickens are you planning on getting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henslaved Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Hi Tracey and welcome to the forum . You mention "comet" chickens, are they Golden Comets? If so I believe they are across between a New Hampshire rooster with a White Rock hen, very similar to the Isa Browns which are also a hybrid. If you google Golden Comet chickens I'm sure you will find some info . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Hi Tracey and welcome to the forum . You mention "comet" chickens, are they Golden Comets? If so I believe they are across between a New Hampshire rooster with a White Rock hen, very similar to the Isa Browns which are also a hybrid. If you google Golden Comet chickens I'm sure you will find some info . Oo never heard of 'comets'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracyann Posted January 31, 2011 Author Share Posted January 31, 2011 Hi Tracyann, welcome to the forum. My parents had chickens too but I'm new to having my own. I've learnt so much thanks to this forum. What chickens are you planning on getting? Hi thanks for your kind welcome. I'm looking at getting 1 x Black Comet, 1 x Sussex Comet, 1 x Golden Rocket and 1 x Speckled Rock. Going to look at some next Tuesday. Love Tracy xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracyann Posted January 31, 2011 Author Share Posted January 31, 2011 Hi Tracey and welcome to the forum . You mention "comet" chickens, are they Golden Comets? If so I believe they are across between a New Hampshire rooster with a White Rock hen, very similar to the Isa Browns which are also a hybrid. If you google Golden Comet chickens I'm sure you will find some info . Oo never heard of 'comets'. Have a look:- http://www.essexchickens.co.uk and go to the Hybrid section. Tracy xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henslaved Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 You could try contacting this site, they seem to sell some of the breeds your looking at . Framebow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Welcome Tracyann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henslaved Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Have a look:- http://www.essexchickens.co.uk and go to the Hybrid section. Tracy xxx Looks like a nice place with everything you need to get started . I'm sure they will be able to tell you what the different crosses are . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Hello tracyann. If you want chickeny friends you have certainly come to the right place. I just love the warmth of the people on this forum and have learnt so much from everyone both about hens . . . and about forums too Your hens will be super lucky to have both outside and inside accomodation. All of us who have chooks who queue up at the door to be let in should cover our chooks' ears and eyes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracyann Posted January 31, 2011 Author Share Posted January 31, 2011 Hello tracyann. If you want chickeny friends you have certainly come to the right place. I just love the warmth of the people on this forum and have learnt so much from everyone both about hens . . . and about forums too Your hens will be super lucky to have both outside and inside accomodation. All of us who have chooks who queue up at the door to be let in should cover our chooks' ears and eyes Ah bless, I hope so. I hope the hens will be happy. Its not by choice really, I'd like them to be outside all the time, but we just have too many foxes. We lost all our last chickens and ducks through foxes and I don't want to loose them. Tracy xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Hi and welcome, I am sure you will find everyone really helpful a very friendly here, it was such a great when I got my girls last year and continues to be so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 I visited the wesbite - they look to be a nice variety for you. When are you planning on getting them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 the black commet looks like a black rock,rhode rock,black star type hybrid which are a rhode island red ,bared plymouth rock cross the blue comet looks like a bluebelle,blue ranger type hybrid which is in the case of the bluebelle a maran hybrid not sure what else through Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracyann Posted January 31, 2011 Author Share Posted January 31, 2011 I visited the wesbite - they look to be a nice variety for you. When are you planning on getting them? Hi, going to look next Tuesday, to see what they are like and how they are kept, but not looking to buy just yet, got to get coups and bedding etc organised first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracyann Posted January 31, 2011 Author Share Posted January 31, 2011 the black commet looks like a black rock,rhode rock,black star type hybrid which are a rhode island red ,bared plymouth rock cross the blue comet looks like a bluebelle,blue ranger type hybrid which is in the case of the bluebelle a maran hybrid not sure what else through Thats what I thought to be honest with you, I will find out on Tuesday (next week) as I've got a list of questions to ask! Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sageandonion Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Warm welcomes to the forum, we've only had our hens 3 weeks, our black rock hybrid is a beautiful colouring and turning into quite a character. Happy Chook shopping and remember to post pics of your girls when you get them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Happy Chook shopping and remember to post pics of your girls when you get them What she said!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Hello Tracyann! There are so many lovely people on this forum who'll be able to give you so much advice and encouragement. Occasionally we also arrange the odd meet up. I've only managed one but it was great. I met up with quickcluck (and her OH) and Nicola O (taking my chook-owning mother too) and had a lovely chicken-chat at Battlesbridge tea room (Great view) after a little look at some chickens and an an eglu go for sale at the battlesbridge garden centre. There are quite a few of us from Essex and although I don't own an eglu (doesn't matter on this forum as the advice is great) there is bound to someone who'll let you look at their set-up if you fancied it. Plus it's a great excuse for a chicken cuddle. By the way... we all love photos! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracyann Posted February 1, 2011 Author Share Posted February 1, 2011 Ah thank you everyone for the kind welcome. I will be sure to keep you updated on what happens. I just know this next week is going to drag by.... 8 February cannot come soon enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Dreaming of chickens is also normal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracyann Posted February 1, 2011 Author Share Posted February 1, 2011 Dreaming of chickens is also normal! Yes quite, bring on the men in white coats.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
