witzend Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Any thoughts?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zakjon-98 Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 (edited) Hybrids will always lay more eggs Pure breeds sometimes look nicer Pure breeds are not vaccinated often Hybrids won't live as long Commercial hybrids can be sexed at day old so no cockerels ! Pure breeds are sometimes more prone to broodiness although this is good if you want to hatch. I have pure breeds and will always go for pure. Edited May 25, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted May 25, 2011 Author Share Posted May 25, 2011 omg - SOOOO much to consider for a 1st timer!!! I have 5/6 visits to people / farm over the next few days so - hopefully, I'll find MY perfect 3-some! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan08 Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 If I knew then what I know now I would have gone for a mixture instead of all hybrids. Hybrids have a relatively low life expectancy compared to pure bred, due to all those eggs they produce all year round. Hybrids more eggs, pure breed less eggs. Pure breed, more variety in breeds in looks and tempramemt. But more likely to go brooch and take a little more looking after. As I say, a mixture would have suited me better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zakjon-98 Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Lol! I think it depends what you want from your chickens. I have mine for pets so have pure breeds although the ones I chose still lay 5/6 eggs a week each. If they are just for eggs I'd go for hybrids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted May 25, 2011 Author Share Posted May 25, 2011 all good stuff - my head is spinning!!! If you've seen my other posts - I'm after 3 different looking birds to produce 3 diff looking eggs - probably housed in a classic within a 6 x 7 foot floor area I defo want a Wyandotte - I just think the laces are gorgeous..................and then the dithering begins and os on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Don't worry you won't be able to get past the first breeder, you are sure to fall in love with 3 and that will be that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfin Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 I agree with all the comments that have been posted so far. Here are a couple of other things you should take into account. Pure breeds generally cost a lot more than hybrids, generally 2 to 4 times the cost. When you are selecting your breed note that some do need to free range, if this isn't an option I would avoid these. I started about 6 weeks ago with a good selection of hybrids. I have now ordered 3 more .....a Black Rock at £12, a Welsummer at £25 and a Cream Legbar at £35. The latter two are pure breeds. I hope that this helps in you choices. Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benaberry Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 I defo want a Wyandotte - I just think the laces are gorgeous..................and then the dithering begins and os on and on and on Agree on the lacing - we've got a laced Orpington, and she's a stunner, if a bit camera-shy (sorry if that causes more confusion ) We've got mostly pure breeds; mainly chosen because I like the big (and little) fluffy ones; a cream legbar snuck in because of the blue eggs - and they all lay brilliantly, out of the four layers (silkies too young, pekin & leghorn not settled properly yet), we usually have at least 3 eggs a day. We have got one hybrid, and she's a lovely bird, and a great layer. Today was my first 5 egg day, so think the leghorn is starting to join in We just went for the ones we liked the look and nature of - as has been said above, doubt you'll get much past the first breeder - we didn't! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Kitty Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 all good stuff - my head is spinning!!! If you've seen my other posts - I'm after 3 different looking birds to produce 3 diff looking eggs - probably housed in a classic within a 6 x 7 foot floor area I defo want a Wyandotte - I just think the laces are gorgeous..................and then the dithering begins and os on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on I'm glad it's not just me!! So many lovely breeds to choose from! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Don't worry too much about the various pros and cons of PBs v Hybrids. Everyone on here will have a different opinion and you'll tie yourself up in knots trying to work out which is best. Just go to the breeder and get what you like the look of. (p.s. I like hybrids) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 I have a mixture of hybrids and pure breeds, and they each have pros and cons. The one thing I would say is that I have had fewer medical issues with the pure breeds, so that although they cost more than the hybrids, I have spent much more time and money at the vet with the hybrid girls. At the end of the day, they are all wonderful - good luck choosing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted May 26, 2011 Author Share Posted May 26, 2011 almost there - see my other post thread! Can't wait..............still to sort a builder out before I can do anything though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan08 Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Just to add to if I had only known before..... I would have got a cube not a go to satisfy morehens!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostock422 Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 I'm a fan of the hyrbrids, as you can get quite nice looking hybrids and very friendly. But if you decide to go for a pure breed watch out for the Sussex Star's, as many people sell them as a light Sussex. tut tut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
