jenkey Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 The walk-in run has been completed - the hen house in in situ so we are off this weekend to buy our birds. Having spent ages researching we decided to go for pure breeds as we have been told that they lay less eggs but for nearly all of their lives whereas hybrids lay loads but only for a shorter period of time. I talked to a poultry farmer who put a spanner in the works yesterday - he said that all chickens live till aged 4 or 5 and that hybrids will slow down but will lay throughout their lives. Also said that all pure breeds will stop laying for the winter. We had read that orpingtons can lay all year round. We are getting 3 birds - they will also be family pets so will not be eaten when they stop laying and will hopefully live out a happy retirement. We don't need loads of eggs but would prefer them to be productive over a longer period of time. Would really appreciate any opinions please - off to look at birds on sunday - we're seeing some buff and blue orpingtons, wellsummers and also there will be hybrids so will no doubt fall in love with the whole lot and want to buy them all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 I have not been keeping chickens long enough to know but why don't you get a mixture of pure breeds and hybrids? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 28, 2011 Share Posted May 28, 2011 I would get a mixture. Hybrids churn out eggs all through their first winter, and then tail off over subsequent winters ( that is why ex batts are available - they are no longer commercially viable) and pure breeds do stop laying from around Oct to Feb, but they are very robust, and live for up to eight years and sometimes beyond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted May 28, 2011 Share Posted May 28, 2011 I have had just hybrids so far, the first year enough eggs for a family of 4 (from 4 chickens) second year I had to buy eggs I now have some ex batts who are lovely and enjoying a new stage in their lives and 6 hyrbirds, 2 are over 3 and the others it will be their second winter so it will be interesting to see if they lay over the winter. Next I plan to get some pure breeds, not sure what yet and then get some more ex batts I don't think I would like to be without a few ex batts now. If you have room a mixture would seem to be a good option but it also depends on how much you want eggs, I love the eggs but there is more to keeping chickens than just the eggs in my view. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostock422 Posted May 28, 2011 Share Posted May 28, 2011 Its down to personal preference at the end of the day, do you want lots of eggs? do you want to spend a lot? Hybrids are cheaper and lay a lot of eggs for a start, but they don't come in a variety of different colour, unlike pure breeds, but the pure breeds might not be vaccinated. Hybrids: lay lots of eggs (initially) cheaper vaccinated but: stop laying sooner less choice in colour pure breed: better choice in appearance lay longer throughout their life but: they cost more and they may not be vaccinated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted May 28, 2011 Share Posted May 28, 2011 You can get a lot of different hybrids, different looks and different colours of feathers and eggs. Warrens/Gingernut Rangers/Loman Brown I think they are what are usually used in battery cages, bog standard egg laying hens, such characters, i have two. They both lay a brown egg every day. They are about one and a half years old. More info on different hybrids *Here*. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
