beccauk Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Hi I havent kept chickens before, and have been given a secondhand eglu classic with a 2 meter run. I had decided to get 3 light sussex hens but now seeing the size concerned, there wont be enough room for 3 in the run. as we wont be able to let them roam freely in the garden. I did consider getting an extention to 3 meters if i still want to get light sussex A breeder who has sussex advised it might be worth thinking about getting amber links as they are a smaller bird, but then when i read up about amber links, they sound good as being friendly and great egg layers but it sounds as they might be quiet a noisey hen which living in a built up area in a town may not be ideal. Does anyone have any experience of amberlinks or had light sussex in a eglu classic? Becca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eve Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 i had amber ranger hybrid, she was fab so friendly.laid every day either a double yolker or two eggs aday!!! was so upset when fox had her and polly just before xmas. i now have another ranger polly no2!! thats what son wanted to call her and a columbine that lays blue/green egg. moneypenny, she isnt as friendly due to being a legbar cross. didnt have any ambers when i went to collect. very lucky you were given a and run Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beccauk Posted March 3, 2012 Author Share Posted March 3, 2012 Hi Ive looked at some photos the ambers look pretty birds, the breeder also has columbines at £22.00 which seems alot, they seem a small bird too ? what would you advise would be the best to get out the 3 types light sussex, smber and columbine? or maybe mix ambers and columbine? Becca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 In my experience Amber Links aren't very robust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 I had a Columbine who was lovely and laid pretty green eggs . She was a real character too. I like having a mix of breeds and egg colours so you can tell who's laying what! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 I had 2 Ambers a few years ago; Gwen suffered with prolapses and Maggie always laid tiny eggs and was as mad as a box of frogs! However they were both very friendly girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 I have an Amber hybrid which I think is the same, she is now my most friendly girl, we had her as POL almost 4 years ago and she still lays the occasional egg. She is no noisier than any of the other hybrid girls, she is top girl of the 5 hybrids she lives with. I would have another one in the future. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beccauk Posted March 3, 2012 Author Share Posted March 3, 2012 hi well thats re-assuring tha there not too noisey, i might mix and get 2 amber links and 1 columbine, i guess its just going to be getting them and giving it a go. becca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 My first Amber Star ( same as the Link I think) was an utter darling........she did have "egg issues" tho, softies beng her main one I would strongly advise getting an extension to 3m at least before you put girls into the eglu & standard run, if they have no free range space, the standard run is too small for 3 hybrids.....we started with a standard run on Saturday and by Sunday we were sourcing weld mesh to collect and extend ourselves by Monday afternoon as it was quicker than ordering the bespoke extension from Omlet..... Good luck with your girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beccauk Posted March 4, 2012 Author Share Posted March 4, 2012 Hi Yea i was thinking it didnt look big enough for 3 chickens to be content in, which part is the extention for extending it from 2 meters to 3 meters? I was going to collect my new hens today but due to the weather being miserable and raining ive rang and going to go the begining of next weekend hopefully. I read that they need grit and also oyster shell, can this be mixed together or does it need to be kept seperate? Becca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eve Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 if you buy poultry grit it has oster shell already in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Only if it is mixed poultry grit. Plain flint grit doesn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
52fish Posted March 5, 2012 Share Posted March 5, 2012 We have a mixed flock with one Amber Link, hwho quickly became the family favourite. Very friendly, inquisitive, good health, beautiful eggs which as big as the others, talkative, without being noise and a real character - wouldn't be without her. We too live in a residential area and would definitely recommend Amber Links. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopingforchickens Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 I have an Amberlink and she's been my best hen, laid every single day and very chilled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beccauk Posted March 12, 2012 Author Share Posted March 12, 2012 Hi Thanks for all your advice, i decided to go and get 3 amberlinks ive had them for a week now still waiting for my very first egg, but think it might still be a week or two as their combs still seem very small and pale. Need to think of some names now tho too.... Il upload a photo when i can work it out lol Becca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
