crooners Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 Hello! I am almost ready to place an order for my first hens but would be very grateful for some advice about temperament. I plan to keep three (or maybe 4 if there is room?) hens in a classic with a 2 meter run (or would a 3m run be wiser?) so far my wish list (all hybrids from Kirsty at hens4homes) includes a Silver Sussex (black pearl) and a Rhode Ranger because my 7 year old daughter is desperate for a ginger hen. I am torn between a Maran Cuivre, a Skyline heritage or a Blue Haze. I think the Blue Haze is beautiful bit I really want a friendly, happy flock and I have heard mutterings that Blue Haze can be a bit difficult. I have two daughters aged 5 and 7 so I have quite enough attitude to deal with already without adding in a stroppy hen! Any opinions or advice gratefully received.. Thank- you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackie45 Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 I have a bluehaze . I have had her since Easter weekend and as yet I have not been able to touch her.She is very jumpy and seems to be less intergrated than she was. I have 4 other hens, one old (not laying), 2 layers and the other hen I got with the Bluehaze. I was sold both the new girls as 22 weeks but the Bluehaze laid 3 very small eggs within the first 2 weeks then nothing. I went for looks as well as egg laying ability and I think I have a dud. If you have children I wouldn't get a Bluehaze , takes too long to get to know.Sorry I can't be more positive, I just hope others have had a better experience. Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennym Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 I plan to keep three (or maybe 4 if there is room?) hens in a classic with a 2 meter run (or would a 3m run be wiser? There is room in the classic for 3 or 4 hens, but you'd need more run space. I think the generally accepted minimum run space is 1m per hen (unless they are bantams). We have 3 hybrids in a classic & 3-metre run and I wouldn't put any more in there without a bigger run. As for temperament I can only say that I have had a Gingernut Ranger, Miss Pepperpot and a Blubelle for a month and they all get on fine with each other. The gingernut is by far the friendliest with people. The pepperpot has just calmed down quite a bit when she started laying (apparently hens generally do) but she still isn't really a 'cuddly' girl, at least not yet. She will come onto my lap now for a treat though - it's amazing what they'll do for mealworms! The bluebelle is still quite nervous around us but she hasn't started laying yet, so I'm hoping for an attitude change Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 Sorry can't help with the breeds, but I think its mostly down to luck. Some blue hazes will be unfriendly, yet others could be friendly as anything. It's just down to what you pick / get given 2 hens in a 2m run is good, 3 hens in 2m is okay, but 4 would be too much of a squeeze I think. Go for 4 hens, with a 3m run Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crooners Posted June 27, 2011 Author Share Posted June 27, 2011 Thank-you for your help everyone. I think I might avoid the Blue Haze at the moment. I have ordered the 3meter run too! Does anyone have anything particularly good or bad to say about the Maran Cuivre or a Skyline? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
