luggage16 Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Hi guys I have a arriving tomorrow and I am soooooooo excited! We've been and decided on paving slabs to go under them but will get them all set up next weekend. Just wondering what chickens people have in theirs, what breeds they recommend (I was going to go for bantams but am curious as to what else would fit in them?). We have a 4 year old and a 7 month old so we're after friendly breeds that are good with kids. Eggs are nice but not our main focus so friendly breeds are better for us than lots of eggs, but if theres breeds that give both thats good too. Ideally I want to get 3 chickens all different colours/breeds. How easy/hard is the eglu to set up? am I best to wait till hubby is around after work or can i be impatient and try to give it a go myself? lol! :::::runs off to bounce excitedly round the room::::::::: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 I think your choise of chooks will depend quite a bit on whether they will be in the all the time or will FR part of the time, also on how many you thing you'll want (well ok 'need'). Over the weekend I saw someone with two buff Orpingtons in theirs. These are huge but so cuddly and gentle and are great for children. They were let out for about 2 hrs each day. By comparison you could have 4 Pekins I would think. These are sweet and chatter away like guineapigs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 How exciting for you!! If I were you I'd go round your local chicken farmer and have a good look at all the breeds. Everyone likes different types. I love my bantams (and you can get more cos they're smaller ) but the eggs are small. As to what to put in your run, again I would see what works for you. You might be happy moving it around your garden (less cleaning up but it trashes the grass) or you could leave them in one place. The chooks are happy on mud but wood chip will help keep it dry (but this needs changing every so often) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luggage16 Posted March 21, 2011 Author Share Posted March 21, 2011 i have a 250 x 500cm area that the chooks will be able to free range in but they will be in the eglu most of the time (we have foxes in the area so they can only free range when we are about).The gardens not really big enough to move the run around so am thinking putting them on paving will keep it easy to clean. Pekins sound adorable! I am thinking bantams are probably my best bet with the kids. Im so gutted our local chicken place is only doing hybrids this year! How often do pekins lay and do they stop over the winter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Pekins lay tiny eggs and one of mine was permantly broody from May to September, they are funny lovely girls though and my sons love them. Mine are really just decorative my other girls supply the eggs. Wyandottes are pretty and lay well. I would get mix if I were you, why not get an Araucana for blue/green eggs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luggage16 Posted March 21, 2011 Author Share Posted March 21, 2011 would love a mix - what would be a good combination? can i fit 2 pekins and 2 of something else? Im not sure what are good egg layers so any advice would be great - somehow even with a pile of books next to me i still cant decide whats the right chooks for us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Perhaps go to a show to see what breeds take your fancy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luggage16 Posted March 21, 2011 Author Share Posted March 21, 2011 looking at breeders get-to-able from here and theres a lady that has pekins and australorp bantams - would they go well together and do australops lay well? I'm not sure what shows are local but i didnt think buying from a show was recommended? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Going to a show would allow you to look at breeds up close. You could then get a short list (or long list if you are anything like me ) and find breeders I personally wouldn't go for anything with feathered feet in an open run, so would rule out pekins (and many others). Wyandotte bantams are friendly hens, as Rhode Island Red bantams would be.... Theres lots of options Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 looking at breeders get-to-able from here and theres a lady that has pekins and australorp bantams - would they go well together and do australops lay well? I'm not sure what shows are local but i didnt think buying from a show was recommended? Buying from a show really isnt recommended for a newbie but its a great place to see all the different breeds up close I have checked though and the next show in your area is in May, I am guessing that nothing will keep you from getting chooks asap though! If the Pekins/Aussie breeder is the one I recommended near Rugby then they are definitely worth a visit, all very good quality chooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luggage16 Posted March 21, 2011 Author Share Posted March 21, 2011 yep its the one in rugby!! thanks so much for the recommendation - i really want to know we are getting healthy happy chooks and as im new to it I dont feel confident enough in knowing what im looking for in terms of health to risk buying from a random without a recommendation iyswim. Hubby is looking at me with raised eyebrows at the 1 1/2 journey though lol! Def dont think i could wait till may! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 My two Pekins free range all the time without problems, as soon as it starts to rain the scuttle back into the cube run (which is covered with tarp), I do not think you need to rule them out. In fact they are particually good free rangers as they don't do as much damage to the garden as non feathered breed! They are also easy to catch, my children can get them and they then have cuddles, in fact the Pekins often fall asleep on the children's laps! I would google a few breeders or look on here http://www.poultry.allotment.org.uk/ for nearby breeder. Check out Omlets breed page too. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BocBoc Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 How egg-siting!! We got a blue australorp bantam last month and she's gorgeous. She lays about three eggs a week at the moment. She's very chatty and still doesn't like being handled - but we are working on that!! Wyandottes are beautiful birds and are next on my hit list...as are frizzles!! The possibilities are endless.....!! Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 I think a combination of Pekins and Australorp banties would be really nice. Go for it The Australorp is a down under Oprington (hence the 'orp' part of the name) and are lovely gentle birds. The Pekins are active little souls and would love to free range when you want them too, but would be happy in a run when you need them to be, especially if you don't move the run about but keep it with a firm base e.g. slabs or firm mud with something scratchable on top. By the way, they jump up and down to reach plants as if they are mini zebedies. It's adorable. A 1 1/2 hr journey would be well worth those breeds and you'll be so excited that you'll be forever thinking 'are we nearly there yet?' no matter how long the journey. The only advice I would give is not to stock to your limit first time off as you are bound to want more about a month after you have got your first lot. Oh and can we have pix once you have them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luggage16 Posted March 22, 2011 Author Share Posted March 22, 2011 will def post pics!! Going to give the lady in rugby a call Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 My pekin is my favourite! She is a right little character. The eggs are small (about 3/4 a week from mine) but very tasty. And yes she does seem broody a LOT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eve Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 i have three hybrirds my son is 3yrs loves them.they are so friendly amber star and gold ranger will come in house if door open, son can even pick them up.bluebell on the other hand not to friendly keeps out of way all 3 eat corn out of your hand.would say so much friendlier than my bantams.and they will lay a good surpply of eggs which son loves to collect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 i have three hybrirds my son is 3yrs loves them.they are so friendly amber star and gold ranger will come in house if door open, son can even pick them up. My bantys literately knock at my back door for treats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
