Is your dog's unusual barking a secret code for something mysterious?

[calmbreeze]

just starting out with the chooks - we need to increase our hens - should be go hybrid or pure breed we like buff sussex or welsummers or french wheaton maran - so hard to choose

 

any help out there??

[Plum]

One of each Buff sussex bantams are on my wish list. Why not go and have a look and then you'll get a feel for which you really like.

[percy049]

I love buff sussex and marans, but you have to make sure that there is a supplier near you before you get too excited.

With pure breeds, you might not get any eggs until spring now, but with hybrids they lay all winter. Pure breeds to live for longer though.

[calmbreeze]

thanks i have someone not too far away with the buff sussex - its all they keep, the hens are 14 weeks and £15 - which seems reasonable??

 

as i am new to all this (on average of course) how long 'ish' would you expect a pure and a hybrids to live? - i have no idea really

 

thanks

[percy049]

that sounds a good price . Be careful when introducing at that age, because they get bullied very easily. You will need alternative accomidation for them to live in for a couple of weeks while they get introduced (as it will probably take about 2 weeks to be completely settled).

Hybrids average age is 3 - 4 years

Pure breeds about 4 - 6 years

 

Here is a topic about how old peoples oldest hens are if its any help

http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=81819

[zakjon-98]

Buff Sussex are lovely mine is the tamest out of my hens and is my brothers favourite. She lays and egg a day and is very beautiful and quiet. Pure breeds usually lay longer than hybrids although it may go down to 1-2 a week.